GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS

THE PLAYGROUNDgr brings play experts to GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS, inviting our community to participate in: drum circles, mindfulness, yoga, nature play, art and other play led activities that may not be accessible in other scenarios. Due to barriers related to insurance, out of pocket costs and access to transportation, THE PLAYGROUNDgr is committed to bringing play experts, tools and strategies to our whole community. Last years partners included: Grand Rapids Public Library, Early On Learning Collaborative, Congress Elementary, Full Bloom Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness, Nature Crate and Josh Dunigan drums. Attendees received new books, play tools and drum, in support of continuing play at home. In 2024 THE PLAYGROUNDgr expanded our midbrain and expert play opportunities, inviting Grand Rapids Circus Project to bring circus arts, as well as Tekqnique Academy to bring break dancing. We continued to showcase over 10 hands on play experts and brainstem, midbrain, limbic and cortical cortex play, with partners that included: Full Bloom Yoga and Mindfulness, Tree School, The Grand Rapids Public Library, THE PLAYGROUNDgr, The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, DJ JaxAttax, Bounce house from Grand Rapids Bounce House, drum circles and giveaways led by Josh Dunigan and Congress Elementary. We welcomed over 300 neighbors to join us for an afternoon of intentional play.