THE PLAYGROUNDgr

03/20/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is growing and so is our vision.

Thank you to THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board of Directors for your leadership and commitment to our mission and community.

Extra appreciation to Steven Depolo for leading us through an impactful strategic planning session.

Who is Steven?
Steven Depolo is passionate about using his storytelling skills to strengthen some of the best nonprofits in the country. He also runs a professional group for grant writers and nonprofit executives.

03/19/2026

Let's talk about our brain... 🧠

https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2023.1023491

Every day, you experience different kinds of emotions that affect the way you think and act. However, we never stop to think about why exactly we feel this way: teeny-tiny chemicals. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, can control your mood and activity. Our body is made up of many small part...

03/19/2026

But why ? The brain chemicals associated with happy! 😀 😊 😃 😀 😄 😁 😊 😃 😀 😄 😁 😊

03/18/2026

We LOVE play, and mixing intentional clinical play with children's books is called Bibliotherapy!

One of our favorite books to supprt this work is "What to Do When You Worry to Much, A Kids Guide to Overcoming Anxiety" by Dr. Huebner.

What is your favorite book that focuses on emotional health or wellness?

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our downtown programming at THE PLAYGROUNDgr!

03/17/2026

💫 Partner Highlight 💫

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to provide Play Therapy™️ supports in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth to youth and their families on a trauma, grief, attachment or emotional health journey.

03/17/2026

Join us in sewing EYE SPY POUCHES for our 2026 Foster Care Programming! Want to learn more? Email us at jacqueline@theplaygroundgr.org.

ALL SUPPLIES are provided and pick up is March 30 from 8:30am - 2:00pm.

03/16/2026

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is excited to honor our THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board of Directors! Join us in welcoming Board Vice President Lindsay Nelson. Lindsay continues to love on our community and mission.

WELCOME TO THIS NEW AND EXCITING ROLE Lindsay!

03/16/2026

Whether through actions, play or words... the research is clear!

Water what you want to grow! They are always watching.... 👀

03/15/2026

Our friends at Arts in Motion Studio are hosting a day of fashion and play through a very special FREE COMMUNITY FASHION SHOW!

We hope to see you there!

03/15/2026

Becoming experts on the brain is an essential step toward mental health wellness. We are committed to teaching our community intentional play therapy based strategies that support the increase of dopamine through alternative methods and tools such as building blocks, nature based play and more!

Learn more here ⏬️
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/06/nx-s1-5737901/dopamine-kids-parenting-screens?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQjy1FjbGNrBCPLTWZkaWQWUC_LWp-2kulXBPZN4Z2-bYtMnqM-wWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHoMd7spq-xlNJEG5MLGFELnsPItx00E7YlKIi74LrCFgyTu07Zfq5bEy-qVh_aem_zdcDiaaoeW8gHQB1bf4XJw

03/12/2026

Play Therapy™️ continues to be a research based model of therapy that supports healing of thousands of children a year. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to bring Play Therapy™️ strategies and tools to programming in our community.

This week we explored monster masks with our friends at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids , focusing on naming and normalizing feelings!

What monster would you be?