About NIFP

Who We Are

The National Institute for Play is a 501c(3) non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to advancing society’s understanding and application of play — a long-ignored biological capability that can lead to healthier, happier lives.

Dr. Stuart Brown founded the National Institute for Play to study the scientific knowledge on play behavior and understand its implications. Thirty years later, there have been many discoveries indicating that play is life-giving:

  • Adults who play experience less stress and more optimism and well-being. 
  • Children who are allowed to play are faster learners, more creative, and more socially competent.

Get to Know Our Founder, Dr. Stuart Brown

Play that is based on our inner needs and desires is the only path to finding lasting satisfaction in our relationships and professional work.

Stuart Brown, M.D.
A man with graying hair and a bright smile leans casually against an open French door.
Stuart Brown at his home office in Carmel Valley, California.
 
Dr. Stuart Brown’s research experiences as a young psychiatrist gave him unique insights into the importance of engaged playful behavior. He dedicated much of his career to the study of human play: what it is, how it affects our health, and the devastating consequences if it is suppressed. He founded the National Institute for Play to support, expand, and share the scientific study of play and its benefits. Fifty years of clinical practice, field research,and independent scholarship have convinced him that we are “built to play and built by play.” Learn about Dr. Brown’s history and research.

Our Direction

We continually add links to pertinent books, articles, videos, etc. to our site as they become available. We monitor the wide range of science research on play to understand its impact on human lives and explain the research in clear, concise language. We are committed to providing an ever growing set of resources to our audience to help them benefit from play in their own lives and to enable them to support their children’s recognizing and nurturing their innate playfulness.

Over time we hope to help people:

  • Identify what is playful for themselves and others
  • Develop lifelong play habits
  • Recognize the symptoms of not enough play
  • Model healthy play habits in their communities

Cover for Dr. Brown's book "Play."

Our History

Over the nearly 30 years since our founding we have followed the science of play, honored leading play researchers, created nationally broadcast videos explaining play, written and published a book available in 12 languages, and spoken to hundreds of audiences.

Get the full story.

 

Cover for Dr. Brown's book

Our History

Over the nearly 30 years since our founding we have followed the science of play, honored leading play researchers, created nationally broadcast videos explaining play, written and published a book available in 12 languages, and spoken to hundreds of audiences.

Get the full story.

The National Institute for Play is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation. We’d love your support to continue advancing our services.

A laughing woman splashing in a river.

Do you know play when you see it?

A diagram showing different regions of the human brain.

Explore our Library of Play

Ethologist Dr. Jane Goodall walks through a Namibian preserve with a young chimpanzee on her hip.

Scientific disciplines researching play