THE PLAYGROUNDgr

09/08/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr provides morning programming, afternoon and evening .... It is all about meeting neigbors where they are!

This evening, we worked with neighbors on the West Side teaching the power of bi lateral art in growing focus, and overall body regulation. We then transitioned into sensory jars, sharing the use of these tools to also support focus, as well as emotional regulation!

09/08/2026

Thank you West Michigan Woman for sharing
THE PLAYGROUNDgr !!!!!! We are SO proud to be apart of this community!

📷 Thank you Mo'photography LLC for capturing our heart and programming!

❤️ Thank you Whole Hearted Marketing/ Carrie Smith for sharing our voice!

09/07/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr wishes our community a Labor Free Day of PLAY.

09/04/2026

It is incredibly impressive to see amazing organizations like Grace's Table creating access to play!

09/04/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to bring Year Six of Grand Rapids Plays to our amazing Community, and excited to share our gratitude to Welcome Grand Rapids Plays Community Play Partner YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

THANK YOU YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, we couldn't do this work without your investment in play, all for the health of it! WHY? Play Heals!

What is Grand Rapids Plays?

Each year we bring together families, neighbors and community play experts, all in the name of healing and wellness! Save the date and join us on Saturday, September 19 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm as Grand Rapids PLAYS engages in:

🎪 Circus arts with Grand Rapids Circus Project
🥁 Drum circles and giveaway with Josh Dunigan
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Full Bloom Children's Yoga and Mindfulness
🎨 Play therapy based strategies with THE PLAYGROUNDgr
💃 Breakdancing with Teknique Street Dance Academy
🌳 Nature Play with TreeSchool
🎲 Games with Arbor Circle
🪨 Rock painting with THE PLAYGROUNDgr
🍦 FREE icecream with a local icecream truck
🥕 FREE fruits and veggies with YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Veggie Van
And more .....

THANK YOU TO OUR GRAND RAPIDS Community who continues to see the value and essentiality of PLAY in our community! WHY? Play supports the increase of learning, focus and overall regulation!

📅 Save the Date! Bring a friend! See you there!

Join us, and until then... GO, Go, go and play......

09/03/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr explored loose parts play with parents and their children this afternoon alongside a community partner in our downtown community. Today the prompt began with, "create YOU."

What is loose parts play?
"Loose parts play is a prominent form of play that many scholars and educators explicitly endorse for cognitive development (e.g., divergent thinking, problem-solving)."

🧠 Learn more:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10456023/

09/03/2026

"Play Therapy is defined by APT as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development." (a4pt.org)

🖥 Learn more ⏬️
https://youtu.be/_4ovwAdxCs0?is=kcBL2fiWxIQ60SNb

This video introduces and promotes the value of play, play therapy,...

09/02/2026

Please consider voting for THE PLAYGROUNDgr for Nonprofit and Mental Health and therapy supports ❤️

Official 2026 Community Voting Awards Platform for Grand Rapids, MI. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

09/02/2026

Play Therapy ™️ is an evidenced based practice...

"Play is an essential parameter of children’s growth and expression and this is the reason of why the use of play therapy is considered as fundamental means of preventing and dealing with problems and difficulties presented to children."

🖥 Learn more here ... ⏬️

Play is an essential parameter of children’s growth and expression and this is the reason of why the use of play therapy is considered as fundamental means of preventing and dealing with problems and difficulties presented to children. The aim of ...

09/02/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to bring Year Six of Grand Rapids Plays to our amazing Community, and excited to share our gratitude to Welcome Grand Rapids Plays Community Partner Arbor Circle

THANK YOU Arbor Circle, we couldn't do this work without your investment in play, all for the health of it! WHY? Play Heals!

What is Grand Rapids Plays?

Each year we bring together families, neighbors and community play experts, all in the name of healing and wellness! Save the date and join us on Saturday, September 19 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm as Grand Rapids PLAYS engages in:

🎪 Circus arts with Grand Rapids Circus Project
🥁 Drum circles and giveaway with Josh Dunigan
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Full Bloom Children's Yoga and Mindfulness
🎨 Play therapy based strategies with THE PLAYGROUNDgr
💃 Breakdancing with Teknique Street Dance Academy
🌳 Nature Play with TreeSchool
🎲 Games with Arbor Circle
🪨 Rock painting with THE PLAYGROUNDgr
🍦 FREE icecream with a local icecream truck
🥕 FREE fruits and veggies with YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Veggie Van
And more .....

THANK YOU TO OUR GRAND RAPIDS Community who continues to see the value and essentiality of PLAY in our community! WHY? Play supports the increase of learning, focus and overall regulation!

📅 Save the Date! Bring a friend! See you there!

Join us, and until then... GO, Go, go and play......