Alexandra's Playground

Bid on tickets to The Blaze and you can visit any time they are open, even on sold out dates! (thru 11/22). Our FLASH AUCTION closes tomorrow 10/29. Support the Gift of Play while getting in the Halloween spirit. And while you visit our site, consider buying tickets to our upcoming virtual event. giftofplay.givesmart.com

Please join us, buy your tickets today! Our virtual event gives you the opportunity to indulge in fine food and drink while supporting your favorite foundation! Choose to pamper yourself with Caviar, Champagne, Wine or all three. We'll have them delivered for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. giftofplay.givesmart.com

So many reasons to play outdoors. This study showed a benefit of bringing nature to playgrounds, and kids to nature. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Nature-Children-play... (Reach out if you want the link to the published research)

We hope to see you 11/13 for a fun virtual gathering to support the Gift of Play. Details to follow. Save the Date

Summer may be winding down, but the spirit of play lasts all year long.

New playgrounds really do result in more exercise. The study showed this increased activity is still sustained one year later. That's great news for keeping kids healthy.

We hope you're encouraged by the positive impact we're making together this summer, donating simple fun gear such as jump ropes, frisbees, soccer balls, and garden kits to kids in low-income households. And we're continuing plans to donate our next playgrounds in Yonkers, NY and beyond. Please support Alexandra's Playground and the Gift of Play at https://tinyurl.com/GiveTheGiftOfPlay

"They are inventing abstract thinking." "They are inventing and reinventing themselves as thinking people, before the world tells them what to think." Timeless words. Early childhood educator, researcher, and author Vivian Gussin Paley spoke at the 92nd St Y about children and imaginative play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxYRkmHNXM&feature=youtu.be

I spoke at length with a mother of three young children. She had just watched Kemi Pogue, Director of the Ossining Community Action Program WestCOP, show her daughters how to jump rope. She was emotional as she expressed her appreciation for the bag her kids had just received. When I get home from work its dinner and school work and bed. I’m too tired to think about taking them outside to play. For families like mine who are low income, this is so important. And there’s a lot of obesity with kids in our community. Exercise is important. My girls never had a jump rope, they never kicked a soccer ball. I’ve been so busy, I didn’t realize. Now I'll teach them. I’m so grateful for this.

Alexandra’s Playground....Just Play!

We met so many wonderful families while handing out our bags of Summer Fun: JUST PLAY! Keeping kids active this summer.

It seems we were right on target for the kids at Family Services of Westchester Respite and Camp Success. They had been talking with their counselors and wishing they had a jump rope, soccer ball, and a deck of cards. Lots of joy, and one boy even showed me a cool card trick. Thank you Patrick, for sharing these bags of Summer Fun: JUST PLAY! with your kids.

It was a joy giving the Gift of Play in Paterson this week, with New Jersey Community Development Corporation. 125 families have a new way to help their kids keep their minds and bodies active with bags of Summer Fun: JUST PLAY! Big thanks to Bob, Eddie and their whole amazing team.

It was a treat for the kids yesterday, at the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center and Tarrytown Head Start. Big thanks to Doris and Yessenia and team for helping to make this happen. Summer Fun: JUST PLAY! @WestCOP @TarrytownCommunityOpportunityCenter ... @TarrytownHeadStart See more