• 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

Education

Annual Conference on the VALUE of Play

The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition.

We are thrilled to announce the 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on  the Value of Play kicks off this spring!  This conference format, in response to the continued concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, features LIVE headliners, dozens of recorded educational and research presentations and weekly networking events – all online from April 1 through June 30, 2021.

The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, camp professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond.

SAVE THE DATES!! 2022 Conference on the Value of Play will be April 2-6, 2022, in Clemson, SC.

2020 ONLINE Conference
on the Value of Play: PLAY FOR ALL
CLICK HERE for Conference Details
2021 VIRTUAL Conference
on the Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL
KICKS OFF April 1, 2021

Communication

News & Press Releases

Inaugural “Health and PLAY” Institute to Launch at the 2021 Virtual Play Conference

Weekly LIVE Webinar Series, April 5 – May 10 Mondays at 5:30pm EST/4:30pm CST/2:30pm PST The inaugural “Health and PLAY” Online Institute is a weekly webinar series featuring leading healthcare professionals and researchers from across the country.  The institute is the showpiece of the 2021 Virtual Conference on the Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL.  The weekly panel presentations will examine the synergies between play and health through five distinct pillars: The Science of Play:… Read More

From The Playground

Harrison Pinckney Joins the
US Play Coalition Steering Committee

We are pleased to announce that Harrison P Pinckney, IV, PhD, recently joined the US Play Coalition Steering Committee.  Our steering committee consists of 21 leaders from across industry, education and health, all committed to its mission to promote the value of play throughout life. Steering committee members contribute their expertise and insights for the current and future work of the US Play Coalition. Harrison Pinckney loves play. Play consumes much of his time as… Read More

News Stories Continued
From the Playground Continued

Research

Action & Research Grants

Grant funding is a distinctive feature of our annual Play Conference, and we are proud to have awarded more than $60,000 in funding to date.  Through competitive funding opportunities, we offer both Action and Research Grants to playmakers and researchers whose work has the potential to improve and expand the Play Movement.

Available Grants

  • Research-Based Case for Recess (2019)

    research pdfs

  • Improving Children’s Health through Play (2018)

    research pdfs

  • The Critical Place for Play in Education (2015)

    research pdfs

  • PLAY Pulse

    research pdfs
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