The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together leading play researchers, educators, health scientists, park and recreation professionals, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the globe.
2026 National Conference on the Value of Play, April 28-30, 2026 Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University, Bloomington
Conference Overview
Conference Theme
What does play mean to you? This year’s theme, Play & celebrates play’s ubiquity, adaptability, and boundlessness. Play & invites every attendee to explore their own “&”—whether that’s play in their personal journey, life stage, or profession. Play & invites us to consider all the ways in which play intersects with our personal lives, as well as within and across fields, disciplines, and communities.
Session Themes
All our sessions will be classified into the following themes to help attendees find the sessions that most interest them:
Play should be accessible, available, and open to all. Advance the field for play for all abilities, all shapes, all sizes, all colors.
Play is an avenue for creativity and innovation. Play facilitates process-based approaches. This theme incorporates, art, design, innovation, and creativity and their role in play.
Landscape architects, architects, designers, city planners, and civic groups are invaluable experts, practitioners and resources for PLAY. These sessions will be submitted for LACES CEU approval.
Play is a vital part of the learning equation, both in and out of the classroom. The faces of those learning while at play are some of the most engaging! Consider play as a vehicle for learning through both traditional and nontraditional settings including schools, camps, afterschool programs, museums, zoos, aquariums, parks & recreation departments, faith-based spaces, and more.
Play is changing! The Play movement is growing! Explore the latest in play- technology, social media, politics, policies, and more.
Play is a building block for healthy living. Examine health and physical activity trends related to play, healthy benefits of play, and the intersection of health and recreation to insure a healthy face of play.
Play looks very different around the world. Share play practices, history, and culture from countries across the globe.
The faces of play are often wet, muddy, and sun-glistened from hours spent outdoors. Focus on play in nearby and far away nature–backyards, parks, creeks, lakes, trails, wetlands, and beyond.
From play basics to play essentials. Share tips, trainings, techniques and tools for PLAY.
Promoting play across the life, including multi/intergenerational play, is central to our mission. Explore how adults (college-aged to retirees) play and how adults share and benefit from play with children.
Schedule at a Glance
Please note that the schedule will be finalized in the week prior to the conference.- Morning - Early Registration & Education Sessions
- Midday – Lunch, PLAY & Kickoff Keynote!
- Afternoon - Education and Outdoor Sessions
- Evening - Social & Fun!
- Morning - Education, Research, and Outdoor Sessions
- Midday – PLAY & Lunch!
- Afternoon - Education, Research, and Outdoor Sessions
- Evening - Social & Fun!
- Morning – Education and Special Sessions
- Midday / Afternoon – PLAY & Celebrate Lunch!
- Travel home safe... and play!
Continuing Education Units
Indiana University awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for your participation in Play Conference sessions. Details to come.
Conference Scholarships
2026 Conference Sponsor Scholarship – A limited number of scholarships that support attendee conference registration are available. These scholarships are funded annually as sponsorship funds allow. Click here to apply. The sponsor-supported scholarship application deadline is 11:59 PT on January 31, 2025.
The application for the 2026 Fran P. Mainella Play Conference Scholarship is now available. This scholarship is awarded to new professionals, young professionals, and new-to-play professionals who could not otherwise attend the conference. Recipients of the 2026 Fran P. Mainella Play Conference Scholarship will have their 2026 Play Conference registration fees waived (or refunded if already paid). Travel and other expenses are the responsibility of the recipient. Limited scholarships are available, and the application deadline is 11:59pm PT, March 15, 2026. Apply online here. Note, for best consideration, we recommend applying to both scholarship opportunities directly; however, applications submitted for the 2026 Conference Sponsor Scholarship will also be shared with our colleagues at Clemson for their consideration.
Conference Awards
Information about the Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research and the Stephanie P. Garst Distinguished Service Award can be found on the Annual Awards page.
Registration Information
| Type | Price |
| Full conference | $510 |
| Full conference - IU Faculty and Staff | $410 |
| Full conference - Students | $310 |
| Daily conference | $320 |
| Daily conference - IU Faculty and Staff | $270 |
| Daily conference - Students | $180 |
Location & Travel Information
Location
Indiana Memorial Union
900 E. 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
Campus Map – Visit IU’s interactive map to find buildings and parking.
Travel Information
Air Travel – The closest major airport is Indianapolis International Airport.
Airport and Hotel Bus Transit – GO Express Travel, 800-589-6004, travels between Indianapolis International Airport and Bloomington several times each day and several Bloomington hotels, including the Indiana Memorial Union. They also have private cars and a shuttle to and from Chicagoland.
Campus Parking and Bloomington Bus Transit – Bloomington is a densely populated college town, so parking is limited and generally requires a fee. We encourage conference attendees to carpool and/or make use of Bloomington's public transit where possible.
The conference venue, the Indiana Memorial Union, has paid parking lots adjacent to the building that are open to conference attendees. Both lots are open from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Rates are posted on the IMU website. Note that for attendees who stay at the Biddle Hotel, parking rates are discounted ($6/day).
Lodging Details
The Biddle Hotel (at IU’s Indiana Memorial Union)
The Biddle Hotel
900 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
The Biddle Hotel is a part of the conference site (IU’s Indiana Memorial Union), so no in-town transportation will be required to go to The Play Conference from your room. Rooms at the Biddle range from $125-$160 plus tax per night. When registering, select "Add code" then "Group Code" VALUEOFPLAY26 to book. Our room block can also be accessed directly via this link.
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
245 N. College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
Complimentary parking included
The Hilton Garden Inn is located in downtown Bloomington, a 15-minute walk from the conference location. The Hilton Garden Inn also has a limited number of rooms available as part of a discounted block. The discounted room reservation deadline for the Hilton Garden Inn is April 1, 2026.
Hyatt Place Bloomington
Hyatt Place Bloomington
217 W. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
Complimentary breakfast & wifi included.
The Hyatt Place Bloomington is located in downtown Bloomington, a 15-20 minute walk from the conference location. The Hyatt Place Bloomington also has a limited number of rooms available as part of a discounted block. The discounted room reservation deadline for the Hyatt Place Bloomington is March 27, 2026. Alternatively, guests can also call the hotel directly at 812-339-5950 and reference Value of Play to create their reservation.
Conference Sponsors
2026 National Conference on the Value of Play Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
Play Collaborator:
