We all know that play is fun, even joyful. It refreshes and energizes us. Play is a central element of life, throughout life, not only for children, but for working and retired adults.

In play our burdens feel lighter and we are opened to new possibilities. But play goes even deeper – it shapes our brains to make us smarter and more able to adapt to situations.

Our success as an innovative culture rests first, on our recognizing the importance of play, then on our allowing play into daily living.

The National Institute for Play believes that as play is woven into the fabric of social practices, we will dramatically transform our personal health, our relationships, the education we provide our children and the capacity of our corporations to innovate.

We see play as an un-realized power that can transform our social and economic lives.

Watch a Video Introduction to Play

Donations

The National Institute for Play is a 501 ( c ) 3 non profit organization. Please consider making a contribution in support of our work. Click here to find out how.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation."

Plato

"The truly great advances of this generation will be made by those who can make outrageous connections, and only a mind which knows how to play can do that."

Nagle Jackson


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What's New

THE BOOK IS HERE!
- Authors Dr. Stuart Brown, MD and Christopher Vaughan, publish their new book on play. (more information)

ON SALE
March 5th, 2009!

AWARD NEWS!
- Jaak Panksepp, PhD is the first recipient of NIFP annual play science award as part of our Status of Play Science Stanford Conference

In recognition of your pioneering leadership that has advanced the science of play for the betterment of humanity.
The National Institute for Play,
Stanford, California, November 1, 2008
11.1.08

Taking Play Seriously
- The New York Times Magaizine features Dr. Stuart Brown in a major article highlighting the value to society of developing a scientific understanding of play .
2.17.08