Play-Based Developmental Engagement

Facilitates adventure play pop-up events in public spaces, neighborhood parks, block parties, and community centers across NYC, as well as in-school play activities and off-site programming, reaching diverse communities through partnerships with local organizations.

Provides professional development workshops, annual playwork training, and school programming for educators, caregivers, and DOE partners to integrate playwork principles into educational settings. Also offers a Playworker-In-Training program for youth aged 13+ and Family Play Workshops to teach caregivers about child-led play.

Operates The Yard, NYC's only adventure playground on Governors Island, open weekends from April to November, offering free public access to self-directed play using loose parts, tools, and natural materials for children ages 5 to 19. The program is staffed by trained playworkers who support risk-benefit assessment and unstructured play, with capacity limited to approximately 45 children at a time.

Offers field trip access to The Yard for schools and groups, 2-hour private supervised sessions for birthday parties and events, and Preview Hours for families—especially those with neurodivergent or disabled children—to explore the playground before public opening.

Operates summer day camp programs on Governors Island, including two-week sessions with over 35 hours of outdoor, unstructured play, serving up to 250 children annually across 11 weekly sessions. Also offers mini camps on school holidays for children ages 6–12+, with staffing ratios of at least 1 playworker per 6 children and options for scholarships, sliding scale fees, and after-care programming.

Provides small integrated classes and events that promote motivation, movement, relaxation, and sensory stimulation, likely tailored to children with special needs or developmental challenges.

Demonstrates and models the use of sensory toys and gadgets to encourage sensory engagement and balanced movement for individuals with disabilities.

Advocates for child-initiated, intrinsically motivated, active, open-ended, and freely chosen play as essential to children's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Campaigns include reducing screen time and high-stakes testing, promoting recess, and expanding access to outdoor, loose parts, and adventure play in schools and communities.

Develops and delivers leadership development curricula, training, and educational materials for organizations and individuals advancing children's play. Provides support for early-career playworkers, facilitates collaborations with international partners, and offers organizational and strategic guidance to allied groups.

Serves as fiscal sponsor for play-based projects such as the Just Play Project in Ithaca, NY, and allocates resources to support innovative play programs and advocacy networks.

Conducts and publishes research-based reports and resources on the importance of play in early childhood, risks of early academic pressure and screen time, and benefits of risk-taking and recess. Key publications include “Crisis in the Kindergarten,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Facing the Screen Dilemma,” and “A Research-Based Case for Recess,” among others.

Monitors and responds to legislative and regulatory developments at federal, state, and international levels, including Section 301 tariffs and ASTM F963 safety standards. Engages with Congress, regulators, and global bodies to advocate for fair enforcement, reduce trade barriers, and promote science-based policies. Organizes advocacy events such as D.C. fly-ins and policy briefings.

Commissions and distributes research including the Circana/ICTI Global Toy Market Report and produces the annual “Toy Trends Briefing” and periodic updates highlighting key trends and member products to inform the industry.

Funds The Toy Foundation using proceeds from the Toy of the Year Awards and cause marketing partnerships (e.g., with Build-A-Bear Foundation and Chuck E. Cheese) to deliver toys and the joy of play to children in need globally, raising over $100,000 in recent campaigns.

Produces major industry events including the North American International Toy Fair (New York and Dallas), LA Fall Preview, CHITAG, and the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Also participates in international trade shows such as Spielwarenmesse (Germany), London Toy Fair, and Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair to support global industry engagement.

Runs the Genius of Play campaign and conducts media outreach to educate parents and caregivers on how play supports child development in confidence, creativity, and critical thinking. Provides expert advice via website and social media and generates broad media impressions through targeted campaigns.

Offers access to conference rooms and private offices for members in New York City and operates year-round showroom space at The Toy Building in El Segundo to support member engagement and product展示.

Offers a Safety Education Program with training on federal, state, and international toy safety regulations, including annual seminars and regular webinars on compliance and testing. Provides tools for supplier certification and ethical sourcing through partnership with the Ethical Supply Chain Program.