PLAY TIMES

The National Institute for Play (NIFPlay) is dedicated to advancing society’s understanding and application of play.  In July we began publishing Play Times, a monthly newsletter with summaries of research on play –Play Notes– plus interviews with play experts, events and play journals. Everything you need to stay up to date with what’s happening in the world of play.  Join our Play Community.

The Power of Play – Losing & Finding Yourself 

Cover of the report "The Power of Play - LOSING AND FINDING OURSELVES THROUGH EVERYDAY PLAY

The Power of Play: Losing and Finding Ourselves through Everyday Play

A report from the National Institute of Play

  • What Is Play
  • Benefits of Play
  • Types of Play

Play is part of the solution to our harried, anxiety-creating lives.

Have fun and stay on a path to feeling better every day.

Get the Report

Play Conference Coming!

The International Play Association (IPA) runs an annual blockbuster conference and this year it is in Greenville, SC from September 25th to 28th.  Early registration is now open. Get all the details here.

IPA is also seeking nominations for awards: if you admire someone who is a major advocate for play or who has had a lifelong passion and commitment to advancing play, nominate them for either the Child’s Right to Play award or the Doctor of Play award. 

image promoting IPA (International Play Association) annual conference Sept 25-28, 2024

Play Isn’t Just for Kids

The National Institute for Play agrees with Newsweek that play – feeling playful – is seriously important for a healthy life. Each person feels playful in their own unique way. Here’s their July 2023 issue …

Newsweek Cover on Play

Newsweek makes many references to our founder in telling their story that Play creates well being…

  1. Do You Play Enough? Science Says It’s Critical to Your Health and Well-Being 
  2. ‘Play Science’ is Making Learning Fun for Kids
  3. Playful Learning Places

Play Is Wellness!

Play is critically important for young children’s  cognitive and emotional development.  When children play, they are building new connections in the brain that will help them succeed in school, in relationships, and in life.

For adolescents and adults play is an antidote to stress and a foundation for wellness. When we have playful experiences, we are improving our brains and our lives.

  • Staying open to new approaches
  • Getting better at working with others
  • Building emotional resilience that helps us ward off stress

What’s Playful for You?

Did you know that your play nature is unique? Everyone has particular objects, situations, or settings that make them playful, and no one else will react quite the same way.Our founder, Dr. Stuart Brown, has identified eight play-based personalities that describe the things most people find engaging.Your play nature is probably a blend of several of these play personalities. Which ones feel most playful to you?
Read More
A mother and baby gazing joyfully at each other.

What Is Play?

Do you know play when you see it?
Learn about the basics of play: what it is,
why we do it, and why it’s not just kid stuff.

A brain scan with labels for the cortex (top front), cerebellum (bottom back), and play circuits (midbrain).

Play Science

Learn about some of the scientists
and disciplines researching play
and what they’ve learned so far.

A father wearing a tiara and scrunching his face as his laughing daughter pretends to do his make-up.

Play for You

Play is crucial to a healthy life. Learn how
to build a more playful life for yourself
and your children (and why you should).

Library of Play

The NIFPlay Library of Play has hundreds of
peer-reviewed articles, mainstream and
scientific books, and explanatory videos.

A mother and baby gazing joyfully at each other.

What Is Play?

Do you know play when you see it? Learn about the basics of play: what it is, why we do it, and why it’s not just kid stuff.

A brain scan with labels for the cortex (top front), cerebellum (bottom back), and play circuits (midbrain).

Play Science

Learn about some of the scientists and disciplines researching play and what they’ve learned so far.

A father wearing a tiara and scrunching his face as his laughing daughter pretends to do his make-up.

Play for You

Play is crucial to a healthy life. Learn how to build a more playful life for yourself and your children (and why you should).

Library of Play

The NIFP Library of Play has hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, mainstream and scientific books, and explanatory videos.

A laughing, gray-haired man in a yellow sweater swinging on a treehouse rope swing.
NIFPlay Founder Dr. Stuart Brown

Learn more about NIFPlay, and support our work to make play part of everyone’s life.