Have you heard about Kaboom? They are this fantastic group that help build playgrounds in communities that need them and work towards getting them. Play is so important, and it’s absent from kids today. Today’s child spends an average of 4 hours a day in front of a screen (minimum) but less than 4 hours a week outdoors. That’s terrible. It affects everything from health and obesity to intelligence and creativity and problem solving skills. And sports and activities don’t always count–even if a child is spending decent time in a structured sport, they still need unstructured time. Being told what to do for an hour while they run around a field isn’t the same.
So enters Kaboom, who wants to help our kids. And this month, they are having a contest. You can post photos of a playground you love for a chance to win some toys.
First, here are some resources they offer on kids and play. You can get started with these “cheat sheets” on play. They provide quick facts to make your case for the necessity of play, ideas for action in your neighborhood, and links to some of our best resources.
- Facts on Play: a snapshot of the current state of play in the US
- Hechos Sobre el Juego: el juego sí tiene propósito y nosotros podemos probarlo
- 12 Ideas to Begin Advocating for Play: simple ways to save play in any neighborhood
- 12 Ideas para la Promocion del Juego: ideas sencillas para empezar salvar el juego en cualquier barrio
- Play and Family Well-Being: the results of a study on the link between access to playgrounds and parental reports of family well-being
- Get Smart about Play: top ten free Playschool online trainings
- The Play Deficit: a look at the critical lack of play opportunities in the US and its consequences for children and communities
- KaBOOM! Trainings: a general overview of the KaBOOM! online training program
See that last one? They give you an overview to get started in your neighborhood.
Click to visit Kaboom.
Whether you want to just try to win some toys by posting a photo, make a donation to a project, or get your own community project started, make sure you check out Kaboom.
This post is a part of my participation in the #GlobalTeamof200. All opinions are my own.
