Play is a fundamental part of childhood. Through play children develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills and grow physically healthy and strong. In fact, studies have shown access to early play experiences boosts life outcomes substantially -42% raise in yearly earnings, 44% increase in high school graduations, and 17% increase in bachelor degrees.
Play is so important that it is considered a “right” by the United Nations. But unfortunately, play is often seen as a frivolous luxury, instead of a childs tool for learning and survival and central to healthy child development. Consequently, millions of children around the world do not have adequate access to play.
We’ve put together a list of five community service ideas anyone can participate in to help to build a world where all children can exercise their right to play.
1. Help a school in your community build a playground
Playground Ideas is a nonprofit organization that exist to help anyone, anywhere build a beautiful space for children to play using only local tools, materials, and skills. Through our DIY designs and how-to handbooks, we break down the playground building process into simple steps anyone can follow. Is there a local school or childcare center in your community that lacks a place for children to play? Building a playground is a fun, rewarding, and impactful community service idea. Learn more about how you can use Playground Ideas designs, resources, and support to build a playground in your community.
2. Volunteer on a playground build anywhere in the world
New playground projects from around the world are added to our site every day, and many are in need of volunteers. Search the globe to find playground projects to volunteer on in your region (or even somewhere you’d like to travel!)
Check out what one of our volunteers had to say about his experience building a playground as a community service project in the Philippines:
“Fundraising, designing and building a play installation in Manila with Playground Ideas is the single most rewarding and challenging experience I have had. By restricting materials and resources to only what could be found locally, we were able to create a playground that will be sustainable for the community for years to come.” – Campbell Jones
Click here to explore playground projects around the the world that are seeking volunteers.
3. Volunteer for Playground Ideas
No matter where in the world you are, you can also volunteer for Playground Ideas through our Playlab Fellowship program. Make a meaningful contribution to an open source movement that is spreading access to play to hundreds of thousands of children across the globe. Playground Ideas volunteers have worked on graphic design projects, created step-by-step construction guides, written how-to manuals, and worked on web development. Contact us to learn more about volunteering for Playground Ideas.
4. Fundraise for a playground
Many playground projects around the world are looking for the funds they need to make their project a reality. You can donate to a playground project anywhere in the world and help them reach their goal! Consider organizing a bake sale, benefit concert, or gala dinner as a community service project and donate the money to a playground project.
Click here to explore playground projects around the world that need funding.
5. Fundraise for Playground Ideas
Playground Ideas offers all our designs, how-to handbooks, and personalized support free of charge to anyone, anywhere in the world. When you donate to Playground Ideas, your gift enables us to keep our resources free. A small group of private philanthropists cover our administrative expenses so that your money can go directly to the cause. That means when you give to Playground Ideas, 100% of the donation goes towards expanding global access to play. Organizing a Playground Ideas fundraiser is a great community service idea that helps kids around the world. Over the years, our supporters have put on charity dinners, plays, concerts, and festivals to support our work – and they’ve had a lot of fun doing it!
Click here to learn more about donating to Playground Ideas.
All children deserve a beautiful space to play and all of us have the power to make it happen. Get started on one of these community service ideas today to bring children in your community—and children around the world—access to the play they need to thrive.
