THE PLAYGROUNDgr

12/28/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr Play Heals ™️ is a research founded Play Therapy Curriculum ensuring ALL have access to play therapy and play therapy based tools and knowledge. Looking to join the social movement?

🧠 Learn more!

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is not based on opinions, we are based on research, facts and measurable outcomes! Join us for Sunday Statistics, a weekly opportunity to learn the facts about play and play therapy.

Grab a cup of ☕️ and join us for a ten minute read each Sunday afternoon!

learn! grow! change!

📚

This article concerns a therapeutic intervention with a group of abandoned children living in a Romanian pediatric hospital. The children, ranging in age from one to ten years old, had suffered chronic neglect and abuse. They had previously spent ...

12/28/2025

What a year! Who is THE PLAYGROUNDgr? Learn more and join the social movement of play for all, all through a mental health lens!!!

Learn more ⏬️
Theplaygroundgr.org

12/28/2025

🔊 This free event is full!

Wow! Tomorrow is year FIVE of THE PLAYGROUNDgr Portrait of Me! This years free experience invites families of all ages to create a self portrait of "When I Grow Up!"

This event wouldn't be possible without the generous support of LMCU , The Cakabakery and Grand Rapids Art Museum!

Special Guest Artist Edwin D. Anderson can't wait to paint alongside you!!!!!!

Want to learn more ? CHECK US OUT AT theplaygroundgr.org

12/26/2025

🔊 Due to a cancelation we have an opening for ONE FAMILY at Portrait of Me!!!

Register at: ⏬️

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-playgroundgrs-portrait-of-me-when-i-grow-up-tickets-1963586448927?aff=oddtdtcreator

Password Required: PLAY

Details ⏬️

Portrait of Me; When I Grow Up
Artist: Edwin D. Anderson
Date: Monday, December 29 (Monday)
Times: 3:30pm - 5:30pm

❄️ ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

We are thrilled to see neighbors on December 29 at Portrait of Me; When I Grow Up featuring artist Edwin D. Anderson !

Special thanks to our cookie sponsor The Cakabakery and hot cocoa and event sponsor LMCU

Questions?
Email is at jacqueline@theplaygroundgr.org

12/26/2025

🔊 Due to a cancelation we have an opening for ONE FAMILY at Portrait of Me!!!

Register at: ⏬️

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-playgroundgrs-portrait-of-me-when-i-grow-up-tickets-1963586448927?aff=oddtdtcreator

Password Required: PLAY

Details ⏬️

Portrait of Me; When I Grow Up
Artist: Edwin D. Anderson
Date: Monday, December 29 (Monday)
Times: 3:30pm - 5:30pm

❄️ ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

We are thrilled to see neighbors on December 29 at Portrait of Me; When I Grow Up featuring artist Edwin D. Anderson !

Special thanks to our cookie sponsor The Cakabakery and hot cocoa and event sponsor LMCU !

Questions?
Email is at jacqueline@theplaygroundgr.org

UPDATE: Unfortunately this event is full!!!! The great news, we do it every year!

When is our next FREE COMMUNITY PLAY EXPERIENCE????

📅 When: December 29, Monday at 3:30pm!!!

🎨 Who: THE PLAYGROUNDgr and Local Artist Edwin D. Anderson

🧭 Where: Grand Rapids Art Museum

🖼 What: FREE HANDS ON PAINTING WORKSHOP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: LMCU, Cakabakery and Grand Rapids Art Museum.

A few spots are still open!!! Don't forget to use our password, PLAY!

https://theplaygroundgr.org/portrait-of-me

12/26/2025

Happy Kwanzaa from THE PLAYGROUNDgr family.

12/17/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is pausing programming and communication in support of investment in our own homes! What does that mean? We are closed December 19-December 28!

We look forward to seeing you at PORTRAIT OF ME; When I Grow Up.

12/16/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr honors that family is complicated, especially around the holidays. Today we paused and focused on our natural supports with many scholars at Grand Rapids Public Schools!

What does family mean to you?

12/15/2025

Saying Good Bye is HARD, and practicing healthy goodbyes can be even harder.

On Week 12 we transition into honoring our PAST and planning for our FUTURE! We are grateful for Dreams Like Mine, a book by local author Latashia Perry.

12/15/2025

Snow painting is an excellent way to use art and nature based tools to express yourself this Winter Season! As THE PLAYGROUNDgr prepares to close school and after school programming through the Winter Holiday Break we are tasking our staff, board and community with opportunities to bring PLAY into their homes! Research shares that PLAY is endangered, creating an up tick in anxiousness based disorders, focus based concerns and overall body regulation!

No wonder PLAY THERAPY has stigmas... Play AND therapy do too..... AND we are here to change that!!!!! Why? Play Heals!

12/14/2025

Thank you to THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board Members Abbie Marr and Lindsay Nelson for devoting their Sunday to Portrait of Me; When I Grow Up event prep! We are proud that EVERY ATTENDEE will recieve an art inspired THE PLAYGROUNDgr Play Therapy based bag to continue the work at home!

We can't wait for Portrait of Me on December 29, featuring artistist Edwin D. Anderson!