2026 National Conference on the Value of Play April 28-30, 2026 | Indiana Memorial Union Indiana University, Bloomington
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.
This year’s theme is “Play & You”. More information on our theme coming soon!
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.
Continuing Education Units
Indiana University awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for your participation in Play Conference sessions. Details to come.
The Details
Location, & Travel Information
Location
Indiana Memorial Union 900 E. 7th Street Bloomington, IN 47405
GO Express Travel, 800-589-6004, travels between Indianapolis International Airport and Bloomington several times each day with stops at all three recommended hotels. They also have private cars and a shuttle to and from Chicagoland. NOTE: All three conference hotels and the conference venue are stops on the Bloomington GoExpress shuttle to/from the Indianapolis airport.
Campus map Visit IU’sinteractive mapto find buildings and parking.
