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Build a Playground
Our Dream Playground
Our new step-by-step project planner offers the money and know-how to make your playground dreams come true.
Tools and Resources
Get funding, learn the nuts and bolts of building a great place to play, and improve your local playground.
- See current grant opportunities
- Take an online training
- DIY playground improvement guides
- Contact a KaBOOM! preferred equipment vendor
Become a Community Partner
Build a great place to play for your community with the help of your neighbors, friends, KaBOOM! and our Funding Partners.
- Learn more about the program
- Current funding opportunity cities
- See photos from previous builds
More:
- Volunteer opportunities — Fundraising ideas — Alumni Network — Fund a KaBOOM! build
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Take Action for Play
Save Play in Your Community
Get tips, ideas, and inspiration for making your community more playful.
- Why play matters
- Pledge to Save Play
- Read our blog, Play Today
- Take an online training
- See current grant opportunities
Playful City USA
Our Playful City USA program recognizes cities and towns that embrace play as a priority.
- Learn about Playful City USA
- Best practices for Playful Cities
- Join the PCUSA community group
KaBOOM! Community
Connect and share with other folks who are trying to bring play to their communities.
- See what's new
- Join our community
- Your profile [requires sign-in]
- Join a discussion group
More:
- Host a Play Day — Earn badges for your actions — Volunteer for play
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The Map of Play
Playing Near You
Find, add, rate, and review playgrounds in your community.
Play Deserts
Where are playgrounds needed most and what happens when kids have nowhere to play?
- What is a Play Desert?
- How is the play deficit harming our children?
More:
- Get our mapping badge
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About KaBOOM!
What We Do
KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit dedicated to saving play for America’s children.
- Mission and vision
- Our programs
- Press Room
- Reports and research
- Photos
- Videos
Who We Are
We are peppy, purple-adorned people who passionately promote the power of play!
- Our story
- Our team
- Board of Directors
- Working at KaBOOM!
- KaBOOM! News
Partner With Us
Our partners help us to create new playgrounds and to spread the word about the importance of PLAY.
- How to partner
- Meet our partners
- Why support play?
More:
- Contact us — Jobs at KaBOOM! — Financial statements — Our founder's memoir
Help
KaBOOM! Map of Play FAQ
KaBOOM! FAQ - Playspace Building FAQ - KaBOOM! Community FAQ - KaBOOM! Map of Play FAQ
Q. What is the KaBOOM! Map of Play?
A. The KaBOOM! Map of Play is an online tool that allows people to enter, search for, edit, and rate playspaces in their communities. It is a free, searchable directory that helps parents, community members and kids to locate playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields, and even ice rinks across America. It can also be used to alert local communities about recreational areas that need a little help.
Q. How do I find and rate a playspace?
A. Search for playspaces near you, then take a minute and tell us the REAL story about what it's like there by rating it and adding a comment. The rating system can be used to alert local communities about playspaces that need a little help. If you don't see your favorite playspace listed, you can add it yourself to the KaBOOM! Map of Play to make it even more helpful!
Q. How do I add a playspace?
A.
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Take a Walk
Is there a playspace within walking distance of your home? Get out and see what’s out there. -
Take a Few Notes
When you find a playspace, take a few notes. Is it in good shape or does it need help? Are kids using it or is it neglected? -
Take a Picture
Bring along your digital camera or camera phone and snap a few shots of the playspace. -
Take a Minute
Log on to playspacefinder.kaboom.org, click "Add a playspace," and follow the simple step-by-step instructions.
Q. My local playspace is in the KaBOOM! Map of Play, but is named wrong/has the wrong address/is shown on the map in the wrong spot. What happened?
A. Seeing as how the KaBOOM! Map of Play is a user-driven mapping system, errors like these are bound to happen occasionally. If you see incorrect information in a playspace's entry page, you can use the "Edit this playspace" link on the right side column to change and correct it! You can also flag duplicate entries and inappropriate content for deletion. Think of it as Wikipedia for playspaces!
Q. Does the KaBOOM! Map of Play only include KaBOOM!-led playspace builds?
A. Nope. KaBOOM! has built over 2,000 playgrounds, but the KaBOOM! Map of Play includes almost 100,000 entries! We want this to be a directory of ALL the places to play - good and bad.
Q. Does the KaBOOM! Map of Play only include playgrounds?
A. Nope. The KaBOOM! Map of Play includes skateparks, ice rinks, athletic fields, parks...pretty much any public place to play.
Q. How can I get community service credit or Girl Scout patches for adding entries?
A. Learn how to get community service credit for adding entries to the KaBOOM! Map of Play here. Learn how to earn cool patches for your Girl Scout troop here.
Q. I have more questions.
A. Please contact us through our web contact form. We'd be happy to help you.
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