The KaBOOM! Blog * News for playful people

Keep up on the latest play-related news! Here you'll find information about KaBOOM! playspace builds, other community builds, tips and ideas, articles from play experts, and general news about play

Inspiration Monday: Play strengthens a community

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Posted on February 8 by dflanigan

In February of 2001, Calvary Ministries of the West End Community in Durham, NC witnessed something truly amazing. Not only did a playground get built, the community was strengthened as a result. The project was co- led by Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, Senior Neighborhood Coordinator from Duke University. She credited the build with being the catalyst that brought six neighborhood groups together and allowed them an opportunity to work together and put aside their differences.Read more

KaBOOM! offers “shovel-ready” projects to support First Lady's anti-obesity initiative

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Posted on February 5 by jcooper

In the coming weeks, First Lady Michelle Obama will begin her campaign against childhood obesity. In response to her campaign, KaBOOM! CEO Darell Hammond has pledged that KaBOOM! will support the initative as a "shovel-ready" solution. KaBOOM! has the programs to make quick, measurable differnces in a child's activity level, a key part of giving kids a healty, active lifestyle.Read more

Super Bowl go-time is also playtime!

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Posted on February 5 by mvietti

If you’re on the fence about who to root for in the Super Bowl, we at KaBOOM! understand!Read more

Today in Play: Principals weigh in on recess!

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Posted on February 4 by ehamilton

Today we're highlighting a couple blogs discussing the recent Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-commissioned Gallup poll on recess that asked for feedback from almost 2,000 pricipals across America.Read more

Learning through play: Teaching vs. Testing

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Posted on February 4 by ehamilton

A recent op-ed about the Obama administration's plans to reform how schools are assessed caught our eye this week. In it, a case is made for getting back to the basics: less standardized curriculum, more open discussion and interaction and, of course, more time for play!Read more

Play Matters Highlight: Tucson

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Posted on February 4 by emily_at_kaboom

With the release of Play Matters, our new study of best practices to inform local policy and process in support of children’s play, we wanted to start sharing excerpts to highlight these great activities.

Take a look at the Joint-Use Agreements with Tucson Unified School District.Read more

Should kids have recess before lunch?

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Posted on February 3 by ehamilton

"No lunch until after you've finished your playtime!"

While those of us who were used to going from the cafeteria to the playground might think it's odd to have kids burn off their calories before they've eaten, a recent New York Times blog post suggests that having recess before lunch can yield benefits for both students and schools.Read more

New Imagination Playground website launched

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Posted on February 2 by ehamilton

KaBOOM! and Rockwell Group are proud to present the launch of the new Imagination Playground website!

About Imagination Playground:Read more

Get up to $5K for your project by making a video!

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Posted on February 1 by alynsen

ClapperToday's a really exciting day at KaBOOM!. We're launching a brand-new video competition where YOU can get up to $5,000 in equipment grants for your playground project!

Starting today, you can enter the competition by creating a 1-minute video showing why your community needs a playspace, then uploading that video to your project's About page. (Think of it as a one-minute commercial for your project!) You'll have this entire month to create and upload your video.Read more

Kids needed for play design competition

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Posted on January 29 by alynsen

Playable KidsPlayable 2010, a brand-new international design competition, invites designers of all types from around the world to design playground equipment and spaces that will "give a sense of place, wonder and fun so strong that they will entice children outdoors to play." You may remember the launch last month, and now they need kids to show the designeRead more