2023 Ultimate Play Day Recap

Written By Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative

2023 Ultimate Play Day Recap

Ultimate Play Day 2023, held at Lower McKinley Park, was terrific! Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative wants to give a giant shout-out to everyone who made this event a phenomenal success!

Photo credit: Crystal Joy Photography

It was sponsored by Trying Together, CitiParks, and ZeroFossil as part of Remake Learning Days, and despite the rainy weather at the start of the event, the day was unforgettable. As soon as we started line dancing, the sun came out, the rain stopped, and the fun continued. With 27 playful partners present, interactive activities were abundant for everyone to enjoy.

From balloon art to airbrush tattoos, from a pop-up ball pit to art projects, there was something for everyone, especially adults, to experience the joy of being a child and playing again. Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative sincerely hopes everyone who did attend remembers to infuse playfulness and fun into their daily routine. We all need to experience the side effects of pure joy. 

The transformative power of play is endless. It brings people together, fosters relationships, and teaches us vital communication, sharing, and conflict-resolution skills. Both children and adults benefit greatly from play. It's truly amazing to witness playful interactions occur naturally. Walking around the event and witnessing all the exciting interactions was genuinely magical. Play unites us and helps us understand each other with more empathy.

This event required a collective effort, and we couldn't have achieved it without the support of our community partners and attendees. Thank you all for joining in on the fun!

Photo credit: Crystal Joy Photography

Immense gratitude goes out to all the organizations who supported Ultimate Play Day with an interactive activity:

  1. A+ Schools

  2. Allegheny County Health Department

  3. Babysitting Logistics LLC, Affiliate in Play (Tier 1)

  4. Big Brothers Big Sisters

  5. BikePGH & POGOH

  6. Carnegie Mellon University - Entertainment Technology Center, Activist of Play (Tier 4)

  7. CitiParks, Scholar of Play (Tier 3)

  8. City Squeakers, Promoter of Play (Tier 2)

  9. Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center Inc.

  10. Greater Hazelwood Family Center

  11. Hatch Partners in Play, Activist of Play (Tier 4)

  12. Hilltop Community Children's Center

  13. Lion Of Judah Enterprises

  14. Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Promoter of Play (Tier 2)

  15. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Promoter of Play (Tier 2)

  16. Pittsburgh Park Rangers

  17. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Activist of Play (Tier 4)

  18. Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, Promoter of Play (Tier 2)

  19. Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Believer of Play (Base)

  20. Sunshine Parties And Play LLC, Promoter of Play (Tier 2) 

  21. The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Activist of Play (Tier 4)

  22. The Mission Continues

  23. Tree Pittsburgh

  24. Trying Together, Activist of Play (Tier 4) 

  25. University of Pittsburgh - Department of Health and Human Development, Opt-in to Play (Floating)

  26. Venture Outdoors, Affiliate of Play (Tier 1)

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative

The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is committed to ensuring play is supported in our region as a critical element in the lives of people of all ages. Through playful events, education, and transformative community projects, we raise awareness of the physical, intellectual, and social benefits of playful lives. 

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Community Partners in Play for Ultimate Play Day 2023