How important is play? We often don’t really think about it, understanding it as second nature to children, something so woven into the fabric of childhood that a critical examination of it as a concept does not occur to most. But play is incredibly vital to a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Exploration of the capabilities of a child’s own body, imagination, ability to follow rules and even their sense of justice are just a few of the things that play develop. It’s no wonder, then, that play is viewed as such an integral part of a child’s life that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has established play as a fundamental right for every child.
But varied play is not always easy to access. Financial barriers, lack of spaces designed for play, transportation issues and more all throw up obstacles to providing children with the opportunities for play they deserve. Fortunately, there are many organizations in the DMV that seek to help promote play, each providing access to forms of play that might otherwise remain out of a family’s reach.
Volo Kids Foundation
Volo Kids Foundation is an organization focused on providing free opportunities for kids to participate in team sports, through their seasonal programs that feature a variety of sports, changing with the seasons, including popular staples like soccer and basketball, but also more unique offerings such as pickleball! Jeffry Pabon, their national program manager, “Volo Kids is on a mission to build communities of active, resilient and confident kids. Our vision is to unlock the power of play for every kid, everywhere!” With a focus on helping kids build up their fundamentals, their six-week programs are perfect for kids looking to try new sports. Volo Kids even provides water and a snack at each session, alongside a T-shirt and the necessary equipment.
Let’s Play America
Let’s Play America on the other hand, has less emphasis on sports and prolonged programs, instead focusing on individual events. With a goal of building a community of play, Let’s Play America hosts “Play Days” that are free for the community, with a variety of activities, whether your child is sporty, crafty or anything else. These are not as frequent as Volo’s programs, but are supplemented with paid opportunities like a parent’s night out, which helps the organization fundraise for the free community days.
Playtime Project
Even getting to these various programs, however, can sometimes be too great a barrier for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. That’s where organizations like Playtime Project come in. They meet housing-insecure community members in D.C. and Prince George’s County where they’re at, working with shelters to help children in these difficult situations to experience play that would otherwise be out of reach. Sometimes, that takes the form of after-school or evening programs, and other times, it’s in the form of play kits of age- appropriate toys that families can take with them. There are even opportunities for field trips, allowing children who may spend most of their time in school or a shelter to explore new locales and see more of the world.
But one of the most notable organizations promoting play is one hidden within a public institution: the library. Library systems across the DMV host a variety of free events for every age group, ranging from crafts to performances to opportunities for gaming via board games, video games and even VR headsets. Registration is sometimes required, but the events are always free, and while you’re discovering events for your child, you may see events that appeal to you as well!
These organizations know the value of play, and whether you make use of their services or volunteer to help their operations, engaging with them is a way to help keep the spirit of play alive in the DMV!
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He currently serves as assistant editor at Washington Parent. He also works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
