Grand Rapids Plays
THE PLAYGROUNDgr is committed to sharing play therapy based strategies with our community. We have enjoyed the opportunity to provide hands on trainings to many nonprofits, school and community spaces such as: The Boys and Girls Club, Network180, West Godwin Elementary, Grand Valley State University, Arbor Circle, Samaritas, DA Blodgett St Johns, The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, AYA Youth Collective, TerryBerry, Literacy Center of West Michigan and many more.
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 year’s 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 drums, in support of continuing play at home. In 2024, THE PLAYGROUND continues partnerships noted above, and added Teknique Academy, and Great Lakes Circus Center, in support of bringing break dancing & circus arts, to our play experience.
Thank you to our Sponsors: Everything Ink, Uptown Grand Rapids & Our Family
Grand Rapids Chamber 250 Monroe Ave NW #150 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Grand Rapids Chamber 250 Monroe Ave NW #150 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Congress Elementary 940 Baldwin St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Congress Elementary 940 Baldwin St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Healing Through Play Classroom Workshops are provided to groups and classrooms in our community. This ongoing closed therapeutic group offers weekly strategies and tools to support ongoing healing. Through play therapy strategies, this group focuses on brain stem play, midbrain play, limbic play and cortical play therapy strategies. This groups is offered in classrooms and childcare spaces. Each group is 50 minutes long and held for 12 consecutive weeks by a LMSW and Registered Play Therapist. Teachers are encouraged to join in these groups, but not required.
The partner is required to provide a signed MOU, a private space for weekly group and one member of their staff or team to join each week. THE PLAYGROUNDgr leads all programming, support and activities for these groups. The partner is invited to supply all play therapy based tools and books used for bibliotherapy, however grants are available to support these costs.
Due to THE PLAYGROUNDgr’s investment and passion around recess and lunch support, groups are not held nor scheduled during the partners (if applicable) recess or lunch schedule. In addition, groups are offered through a therapeutic lens, and should not be used as an incentive for attendance. At THE PLAYGROUNDgr we believe that all children should have access to play regardless of their behaviors prior to our arrival.