Playful Activities

Author(s): Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta A Michnick Golinkoff

In Einstein Never Used Flashcards highly credentialed child psychologists, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., with Diane Eyer, Ph.D., offer a compelling indictment of the growing trend toward accelerated learning. It’s a message that stressed-out parents are craving to hear: Letting tots learn through play is not only okay-it’s better than drilling academics! […]

Author(s): Lauren McNamara, PhD

The Resources Project works with schools to support meaningful, inclusive opportunities for social connection, mindfulness, creativity, and all kinds of play. Their award-winning, evidence-based Recess Project Changemaker’s Guide was designed to disrupt the outdated routines and replace them with healthy, inclusive and compassionate interactions. It is the product of a unique research collaboration of school […]

Author(s): Howard P. Chudacoff

A chronological history of children’s playtime over the last 200 years If you believe the experts, “child’s play”; is serious business. From sociologists to psychologists and from anthropologists to social critics, writers have produced mountains of books about the meaning and importance of play. But what do we know about how children actually play, especially […]

Author(s): Joan Almon (Editor)

Child-initiated, creative play is returning after decades of erosion. Through the hard work and dedicated efforts of play activists, new opportunities for play are arising, including the use of open-ended play materials in schools, parks, nature centers, and adventure playgrounds. Over 20 play initiatives are described in this book, with dozens of photographs that illustrate […]

Author(s): Kristine Mraz, Alison Porcelli, Cheryl Tyler · 2016

Play is serious business. Whether it’s reenacting a favorite book (comprehension and close reading), negotiating the rules for a game (speaking and listening), or collaborating over building blocks (college and career readiness and STEM), Kristi Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler see every day how play helps students reach standards and goals in ways that […]

Author(s): John Cassidy, Brendan Boyle

The most successful inventions often begin with an impulse of ridiculous and brilliant ideas. This book encourages people of all ages to engage themselves in the innovation process, sparking the intellect with undeniable, inspirational valor. With nearly 200 pages of hysterical, action-packed photos of the creatively crafted inventions in use, people can see how almost […]

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Author(s): Bobbi Conner

From the joy of smearing glue on paper to the screaming delight of a bubble-blowing relay, kids love to play. In fact, it’s every kid’s built-in tool for experiencing the world at large. A parent-friendly encyclopedia, UNPLUGGED PLAY offers hundreds and hundreds of battery-free, screen-free, chirp-and-beep-free games and fun variations that stretch the imagination, spark […]

Author(s): Jason Runkel Sperling

In this eye opening, easy-to-follow, action-oriented book, Jason Runkel Sperling explains how to use screen-free, unstructured outdoor play and toys to increase early-age child learning opportunities and improve happiness for the whole family.You’ll learn:•How to encourage your child to enjoy active, outdoor, screen-free play •How to foster unstructured, child-led playtime •The secret to making risky […]

Author(s): Anthony T. DeBenedet, Lawrence J. Cohen

The Art of Roughhousing teaches parents how rough-and-tumble play can nurture close connections, solve behavior problems, boost confidence, and more. Drawing from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, traditional sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present fifty illustrated activities for children and parents to enjoy together – everything from the “Sumo Deadlift” to the “Rogue Dumbo.”

Author(s): Jessica Millhiser, Hend Moharram

Less screen time, more imaginative play! This children’s book is meant to encourage young children to get outdoors and play, explore, learn and grow! It’s a simple ABC style book with engaging illustrations. The back pages give families the opportunity to come up with their own ideas for creative outdoor play.

Author(s): Adam Peterson

In Teach, Play, Learn! educator Adam Peterson shares his insights about the advantages of adopting play-based teaching in today’s schools. Complete with tons of activities that you can use right now, concrete examples, and a pedagogical toolkit, this book will help you transform classic toys and games—and even everyday objects—into opportunities for play-centered learning. With […]

Author(s): Jacqueline Lloyd Smith, Denise Meyerson

Jacqueline Lloyd Smith and Denise Meyerson collectively have over 50 years’ global experience in the design and delivery of incredible learning experiences for clients in the private and public sectors. They have partnered with top tier, medium size, and small corporate clients to produce events that rock. They are now opening their files to other […]

Author(s): Sean Blair, Marko Rillo

LEGO® Serious Play® is thriving. How is it that a child’s toy, has become a serious strategy tool used by some of the worlds best known organisations? And what might be the relevance of this method in your work? LEGO® Serious Play® is the result of 15 years development. A powerful method to solve problems, […]

Author(s): Janet O’Shea

Risk, Failure, Play illuminates the many ways in which competitive martial arts differentiate themselves from violence. Presented from the perspective of a dancer and writer, this book takes readers through the politics of everyday life as experienced through training in a range of martial arts practices such as jeet kune do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, kickboxing, […]

“Do you remember the joy of recess? It was a magical time to explore, to dream, and to turn the world into your playground. Consider this book your recess! Filled with ideas, prompts, and fun-filled games, Play is an activity book for the childlike explorer inside you. It is an invitation to a life of […]

Author(s): Jason Runkel Sperling

Looking for that perfect summer distraction to get the kids out into the backyard? Learn how to set up a simple and inexpensive children’s mud kitchen in a day, allowing your children or grandchildren endless hours of plain and dirty backyard fun. Follow one father’s entertaining and informative attempt to get his children outside, offline, […]

Author(s): Frances M. Carlson

“Big body play”―the sometimes rowdy, always very physical running, rolling, climbing, tagging, jumping, grabbing, and wrestling that most children love and many adults try to shut down―can and should be an integral part of every early childhood setting. Drawing from evidence-based practice and the latest research, this book explains the multitude of benefits of big […]

Author(s): Fern Sussman, Elaine Weitzman

There are examples of how play can be supported both informally and formally, at home and in children’s settings. As well as theory, there are relevant, practical approaches for play activities, and observations of playing children to help explain the processes. Key questions are asked at times to help those who may be engaged in […]

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