Let's Play!
Celebrating Play for Children, Families, and CommunitiesPlay sparks imagination, discovery, confidence, and joy – for both children and adults. Explore free videos, resources, and grants to bring the power of play to your school, club, or community.
Why Play Matters
Play nurtures emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development. It helps us connect, heal, imagine, and grow – no matter our age.
Focus & Re-Center
Play helps us slow down and be present.
Imagine & Create
Open-ended materials encourage curiosity and problem-solving.
Connect
Play strengthens relationships and community.
Heal & Restore
Play reduces stress and promotes well-being.
Discover
Play helps us learn about ourselves and the world.
“We are designed to be lifelong players, built to benefit from play at any age.”
Our Generous Partners Make Play Possible
Ready to bring play to your club or school?
Together, we can help children & communities thrive through play.
Host a Play Workshop
Bring play to you community.
Create play kits
Build open-ended materials.
Intergenerational play
Connect generations through play.
Apply for grants
Fund your play initiatives.
Explore How You Can Play
Whether you want to learn about play, bring play to your community, or get inspired by others, start your journey here.
Learn about play
Gather a few open-ended materials – shells, blocks, fabric, recycled items – and simply explore. Just curiosity.
Key Resources
Play Brochure
Play Kit Flyer
7 Principles of Self-Active Play Flyer
National Institute for Play – Adult Play Framework
CNN: Why Adults Need Play for Mental Health
Hechinger Report: Play Builds Resilience in Children
Now What’s Next? Play & Aging Research PDF (ISAE Play)
TED Talk – Stuart Brown: “Play is More Than Just Fun”
Bring Play to life
The Florida Kiwanis Foundation helps schools, clubs, and communities create playful learning environments.
Mini Grants
Funding classroom materials and play spaces.
Wil & Rachel Blechman Grant
Support for early childhood play projects.
Matching Grants
Support for larger collaborations.
SLP Mini Grants
Youth-led workshop support.
Get Inspired
See how Kiwanis clubs across Florida are making play happen in their communities.
“Today, I played…I felt happiness, imagination, and hope. It reminded me that anything is possible.”
From the Blog
The Power of Play: A Treasure Hunt for Creativity and Joy
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”— Diane Ackerman At the Florida Kiwanis Foundation, we believe play is not a luxury — it is a powerful pathway to creativity, connection, healing, and joy. During the 2025 District Convention, participants were invited into a unique experience: a hands-on play workshop…
Let’s Play with Purpose: Florida Kiwanis Foundation at the 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference
The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was proud to highlight its LET’S PLAY initiative and Reusable Resources Program at the 2025 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference. This national gathering of early childhood educators and advocates provided the perfect platform to share how Kiwanis Clubs are bringing…
The Power of Play: A Treasure Hunt for Creativity and Joy
By Dr. Walter Drew This past month at DCON, Kiwanis Play Leaders came together to experience the true power of play. It was inspiring to see so many of you exploring, creating, and sharing spontaneous three-dimensional compositions and stories during our Kiwanis Power of Play workshops. Your enthusiasm and creativity…