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

Why Jude Family Childcare Center needs a playground

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Posted on March 19 by Kerala_Taylor

jude family childcare center in detroit, michiganJude Family Childcare Center’s submission to our Promote Your Project Video Contest definitely wins the “most adorable” prize! In it, children dressed in oversized suits and ties conduct a serious board meeting about building a playground, while their parents sit in a designated area and “play” on their BlackBerrys and iPhones. Read more

Cool playground: Berlin's Kolle 37

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Posted on March 18 by Kerala_Taylor

Kolle 37, Adventure Playground in Berlin, GermanyWielding hammers and saws is not a commonly promoted playground activity, but it's par for the course at Berlin, Germany's adventure playground, Kolle 37. Children are given free rein to build their own forts, some as high as three stories. And parents aren't allowed!Read more

Play Haters! A condo association fines residents for letting kids play outside

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Posted on March 16 by Kerala_Taylor

Play haterPaying to play? In Methuen, Mass., some parents who told their kids to “go outside and play” were charged $500 by their condo association. That’s one expensive game of Wiffle ball.Read more

Spotlight on video contest finalist Paseo 625

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Posted on March 16 by Kerala_Taylor

Paseo 625 playground project in Oklahoma cityPeople are voting like crazy in our Promote Your Project Video Contest, which has around 40,000 total votes so far! Paseo 625, in Oklahoma City, is one of our 10 very deserving finalists. Here’s what Paseo project leaders have to say about why their project deserves your vote:Read more

Doctor's orders: Get outside and play

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Posted on March 16 by Kerala_Taylor

Dr. Lois LeeChildhood obesity is on the rise. So are depression and anxiety disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and classroom violence. What would Dr. Lois Lee prescribe? Play! There are no shots required. No sticky liquids that will make your kids grimace. No regimen of pills you have to keep track of. And best of all, play is free!Read more

Inspiration Monday: Risk-taking reaps rewards

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Posted on March 15 by dflanigan

Sabal Palm Playground in FloridaIn preparation for this week’s Inspiration Monday, I reflected on my most rewarding experiences. They were almost always the ones in which I had to take risks and get outside my comfort zone. Despite some bumps along the way, the experiences ultimately had a lasting impact and prepared me well for taking on other challenges.Read more

How do kids in Uganda like to play?

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Posted on March 12 by Kerala_Taylor

In December, we announced Playable 2010, an international design competition that invites designers from all over the world to invent creative playspaces. The first portion of the competition, which closed on February 26, asked kids to draw pictures of how they like to play. Judges are now reviewing entries from over 44 countries!Read more

Spotlight on video contest finalist MLK Park

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Posted on March 11 by Kerala_Taylor

MLK park in Winnsboro, TexasVoting is underway for our Promote Your Project Video Contest, and MLK Park project leaders think their project deserves your vote! Here’s what they have to say about the park, the town, and their vision for creating a great space for their kids to play.Read more

First Lady says: Map your playgrounds!

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Posted on March 10 by Kerala_Taylor

Today, during her keynote speech at the National PTA Legislative Conference, First Lady Michelle Obama encouraged audience members to visit the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder and to add playgrounds in their own communities.Read more

First Lady Urges Parents to Map Their Local Playgrounds

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Posted on March 10 by arisso_kaboom

ARLINGTON, Va. -- First Lady Michelle Obama today asked parents to help build a nationwide map of playgrounds on kaboom.org, the Web site of national non-profit KaBOOM!

The request came as Mrs. Obama promoted her “Let’s Move!” anti-obesity campaign at a national conference of PTA members here.Read more