Play was the star of the show! ✨ Recap: Playtopia 2026
ICYMI, Playtopia - Make Way for Play was a resounding success!
On Saturday, March 28, the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston was transformed into a vibrant hub of joy, connection, and discovery for our 2nd annual early education un-conference, which had over 300 attendees! These early education professionals from across Massachusetts immersed themselves in a day dedicated to learning through play ▶️💡🔍.
Here are some highlights:
Inspiring Voices: Keynote speaker Darryl Edwards got playful, practical, and honest about what active play can look like in real settings, in real clothes, in real time; while plenary speaker Rachelle Hannoush, M.Ed., energized the room with a reminder that when we lean into collective impact, true partnership, and authentic teamwork, we create something so much bigger than ourselves.
Hands-on Discovery: More than a dozen play facilitators led interactive sessions. From exploring coding and robotics to the powerful healing force of music, attendees left with practical, low-cost ways to infuse play into everyday learning.
Focus on Healing & Equity: We explored how play supports child regulation and healing and delved into the importance of culturally responsive play.
Playful Learning for ALL: We reaffirmed that play is the universal right of adults and children alike and created spaces for self-reflection where educators tapped into the magic of their own imaginations.
We are immensely grateful to the speakers, sponsors, play facilitators, vendors, and staff who built this world, and to every participant who brought it to life! From the deep dives to the pure play, they created a setting that was unmatched.
