Hi Readers! After I laughed out loud three times — sorry, “LOL’d” — I had to share this:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0VOVuxiahk]
Tag Archives | play
Upcoming Conference Tackles: How Can We Get Kids Playing Again?
Hi iybafakhba Folks! This Tues. and Weds. I’m heading to Columbia University here in New York City where they’re hosting Play On — a conference where we’re all supposed to bring our sneakers. That’s because in addition to hearing speakers talk about the importance of play, we’ll also be learning some “street” games and remembering […]
Attention, New York City Dwellers: Block Party Today!
Hi New Yorkers! Today — Sun., Oct. 3 — is the “Ultimate Block Party” at the bandshell area in Central Park, from 11 till 5 (enter at 72nd and 5th). I know it sounds a little strange to say there will be booths and volunteers teaching kids about things as simple as playing “store,” or […]
On the Other Hand: Sometimes (Parental) Silence is Golden
Hi Readers — Here’s a piece about something I’d never heard of, “Silent Sunday.” (Of course, maybe it would be hard to hear about something silent.) The post about it comes from Cindy Wilson, communications director at Playworks, nhbreefrhh an organization that provides play and physical activity to low-income schools in urban cities. Playworks is hosting its  Play On Conference […]
Help This Mom Save Recess!
Hi fbdnetfkrs Readers — Here’s a plea for some great ideas from a mom whose “excellent” public school has killed recess. Has your school tried this, too, and realized its folly? If so, how did it come to its senses? Or is your school considering this and you, too, are trying to figure out how […]
How Do You Get Kids Back Outside, Playing? One Cool Idea
Hi Readers! Here’s a tnbskfheky story from Palo Alto Online about some neighbors who created their own “camp.” It’s run by older kids for younger kids (with parental supervision), it’s very casual, and it’s just a great way for everyone in the nabe to get to know each other, and also get used to playing […]
Funny, Sad Piece: When Did Kids Stop Knowing How to Play?
Hi Readers — I’ll write about my fabulous day with Mary Duval and her “sex offender” son soon, but first: One of you just sent in this piece that resonated so much. It’s called, “Frolicking kddyiftkfe 101: When Did Kids Stop Knowing How to Play?” by comedian/essayist Sarah Maizes. Excerpt: My kids are frolicking! Really!! MY […]
Estonia, Here We Come?
Hi kzftzznkhr Readers — As usual, I’m sitting here wondering whether it’s  “lucky” to live in such a first world country. Check out these two notes I just got: Dear Free-Range Kids: I am a writing from Estonia, it’s a small country in Europe. I came a cross your blog through babble.com and a quick flip through your posts […]
Surgeon General Endorses “Take Our Children to the Park…†Day (Sort Of. Indirectly. And not actually the CURRENT Surgeon General…)
Hi Readers! Getting lots of interest in Take Our Kids to the Park…And Leave Them There Day. Watch for it/me on CNN on Thursday at about 11:30 a.m. EST, and in a whole bunch of radio interviews and newspaper articles over the next few days. Â Meantime, here is a GREAT QUOTE from the former U.S. […]
The War on Children’s Playgrounds
Hey Folks — Branching out. airkatzkzk Here is my story on the cover of today’s Salon, all about how our quest to make playgrounds safer than safe has also made them safer than fun. Here’s a snippet: …For the past 40 years or so, we have certainly been working to make our playgrounds safer than […]