Advocacy

Why is Advocating for Play so Important? Alarming Trends Affecting Childhood IPA USA is deeply concerned by many alarming trends…

Membership

If you believe that: • Play, along with the basic needs of nutrition, health, shelter and education, is vital for…

About Us

Promoting the Child's Right to Play Founded in 1973, The American Association for Promoting the Child’s Right to Play became…

UN Convention on the Rights of Children

WHAT IS IT? The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political,…

2022 Porch Play Chats

IPA USA Porch Play Chats with Ross Thompson on Ways to Say Yes to Big Body Rough and Tumble Play;…

2023 IPA World Conference

June 6-9, 2023Glasgow, Scotland Play: Rights & Responsibilities The 22nd International Play Association Triennial World Conference is coming to Glasgow!…

Advocacy

Why is Advocating for Play so Important? Alarming Trends Affecting Childhood IPA USA is deeply concerned by many alarming trends…

GRANTS

MINI GRANT OPPORTUNITY To be eligible for a grant, you must be a current member of IPA USA The USA…

What We Do

IPA-USA carries forth the mission of its parent organization, IPA World. To accomplish the Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles, IPA-USA…

Join IPA-USA and Advocate for Play

Membership

If you believe that: • Play, along with the basic needs of nutrition, health, shelter and education, is vital for the development of the potential of all children;• Family participation needs to be strengthened by support systems such as play leadership;• Environments and programs to meet children’s real needs should be created. If you are…

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Shop

“Scholarly Snapshots” now available on Amazon This book gathers 16 theorists from diverse spaces to see what they each have to say about play. From deep in the 19th century until contemporary times, across cultures and different disciplines, through many languages, these theorists observed children in their finest form, at play. From social interactions to meaningful…

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State Play Advocates

How does IPA/USA advocate for play across the nation? By having advocates like you at the local level. Not all support for this cause is monetary – sometimes the most important donation you can make is your time. We are in the process of expanding this network and would love your participation. Please feel free…

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Donate and Help Support Play

Your support can make all the difference in a child’s day. IPA-USA is a 501(c)(3), and your donation is tax-deductible.

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Play Talk

Articles and Discussions around the importance of Play. Members can find more in our Play Blast and eJournals!

Why Kids Need to Play in Nature: A Guide

Visit the website below for statistics on why forest and outdoor learning experiences are needed for healthy development. 50 ways forest and outdoor learning experiences benefit child development: https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/outdoor-education-and-child-development-guide/ Our piece covers a few essential things: Statistics on how much outdoor experiences help children learn. The important skills like confidence and responsibility that kids learn by being outdoors. How outdoor…

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2023 Porch Play Chats are here!

A new year means new Porch Play Chats for you to enjoy! Weekly releases are now available through March. Bookmark this page HERE, and check back every Monday for the latest edition!   Interested in being a presenter/participant in a Porch Play Chat? Contact IPA USA President and Porch Play Chat host Deb Lawrence.

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Play Experience with Dr. Walter Drew

 Play Experience #9 is happening this Saturday October 30, 12:00pm EST.  COME spend a little time in the virtual play space, a safe, relaxing state of being in which you experience enjoyment, focus, creative contemplations, and self discovery. Be sure to bring some play materials that you would like to explore, arrange, and share the story…

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