About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America's children.

Our mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Ultimately, we envision a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

The Problem

Play is on the decline throughout America. Not enough playspaces are being built, and those that exist are often in disrepair. Fears surrounding lawsuits and safety are trumping common sense, resulting in sterile, uninspired play environments. Recess is being eliminated from our nation’s schools. Kids are overscheduled, and in their free time, many choose to stay indoors, lulled by television, computers and video games.

The deficit of child’s play is sad, since it means a world with less laughter and joy. And it has grave implications for our society and our future. The decline of play is closely linked to:

Childhood obesity
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, anxiety disorders and depression
Violence and other behavioral problems
Stunted social, cognitive, and creative development
Lack of green spaces in cities and suburbs
Fragmented communities
Failing schools

The Solution

We fight this troubling play deficit, and its many related problems, through three central strategies:

Constructing innovative, kid-inspired playspaces, using a community-build model that improves the well-being of the children we serve as well as the neighborhoods in which they live.
Sharing the knowledge and tools needed for anyone to find, improve, and/or build playgrounds on their own.
Building a broad movement driven by research, analysis, policy, and community engagement.

In saving play, we are creating: