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We Champion Play as a Lifelong Necessity

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Newsletter

Teenagers playing video games and chess

 Our February Play Note covers the importance of independence and reduced academic pressures on teens to give them a better chance at connecting to their intrinsic motivations for improved resilience and mental health. We profile Dr. Peter Gray who is striving to reduce the mental health issues of our youth. News announces a March 25, 2025 NIFPlay webinar with Dr. Brown and a conference in June. 

Conference

Be the change in education. Playposium – people dedicated to transforming education through the power of play. More at Playposium

Webinar

What does play really mean? How can play boost our creativity and well-being? For answers to these questions, as well as questions from the audience, watch this engaging conversation between Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, and Brendan Boyle, toy inventor, founder of IDEO Play Lab, and professor of play at the Stanford University d-School. 

Podcast

Each month, we share a podcast detailing our Play Notes in the form of a conversation. February’s podcast discusses the importance of teenagers being aware of their “play,” which refers to activities that bring deep satisfaction, fully engage attention, and are intrinsically motivated.

Our Work

What is Play?

Understand the basics of play as a state of mind.

Play for Children

Resources for educators, parents, and caregivers.

Play for Adults

Find suggestions for incorporating more play into your daily life.

Play in Early Education

Discover the power of play-based learning in early childhood education.

Your Play Nature

Check out these questions to identify your personal play nature.

Play Personalities

Learn about the eight Play Personalities developed by Dr. Stuart Brown.

What We Know So Far

Read our summary of key findings from a diverse body of play research.

For Doctors & Therapists

Learn about the Practitioners Prescribing Play (PPP) Program.

Books on Play

Explore our library of over 100 fundamental books on play.

Play Organizations

Browse our directory of play practitioners, publishers, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and more.

Science of Play

See the wide array of play research conducted globally across over twenty scientific disciplines.

Play Researchers

Check out our profiles of the most influential figures in the field of play.

All of These People Are Playing

Do you recognize play when you see it?

Support the Power of Play Today

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The Institute wants the world to know:
A) Playing, being playful, is the healthiest way to spend your time (after feeding and housing yourself).
B) The activities that evoke playful feelings are unique to each of us.

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