Want to get outdoors, enjoy time with family and friends, and engage in learning activities that are fun for all ages? We've got you covered!
Edward Street is hosting our 13th annual Day of Play Family Festival on Saturday, September 14 at Worcester's Elm Park. Here's everything you need to know about our fun, free, and family-friendly event.
'It's a Relaxed and Easy Way for Families to Authentically Be Together'
Since 2011, thousands of children and parents have attended our Day of Play, celebrating the joy of learning through play. This year's festival features more than 60 activities designed to teach children essential life skills, such as:
- Building block towers to promote architecture and engineering skills development
- Finger-painting to teach children about their senses, colors, and art
- Playing hop-scotch to help children develop number recognition and early math skills
- Playing tag to foster social and team development skills
- Playing outdoors to encourage children to explore science and nature
These and other Day of Play activities highlight the true power of fun and games for learning. They also encourage parents and children to enjoy positive experiences and grow together.
"The Day of Play provides time away from screens and the busy demands we all have on our lives," says Karen O'Neill, an Edward Street Board Member and Professor of Early Childhood Education at Quinsigamond Community College. "It’s a relaxed and easy way for families to authentically be together."
Using Playtime to Help Children Become Successful Adults
Research suggests artistic expression and creative play yield lifelong benefits for children, including:
- Development of problem-solving skills
- Improved executive functioning and memory
- Fostering free expression and social-emotional connections
Our Day of Play activities give children and families opportunities to "wonder, explore, move, create, pretend, question, problem-solve, laugh, and be together," O'Neill points out. In doing so, they positively impact all areas of a child’s development.
"The joy of play and learning can be seen on the faces of the young children (and families) who attend the event!" O'Neill notes.
Enriching the Lives of Children for Over a Decade
In 2011, we held our first Day of Play Family Festival at historic Elm Park. Our goal was to encourage and support positive playtime for all young children. Together with our community partners and collaborators, we developed and led Day of Play activities and performances for children and parents to enjoy.
Our inaugural Day of Play was successful, so much so that we made it a yearly event. Today, it's become an annual tradition for many children and families in Worcester.
"The success of the Day of Play Family Festival is deeply rooted in the shared goals of our community for meaningful family engagement," says Karen Waters, Assistant Director of the Worcester Child Development Head Start Program. "The festival's ability to appeal to all ages ensures that it remains a beloved tradition, reflecting our community's commitment to creating lasting, positive memories for all who attend."
Enjoy Activities, Entertainment, and Much More at Our Day of Play
This year, our Day of Play includes seven play areas for children and families to enjoy:
- Active physical
- Construction
- Creative arts
- Health and wellness
- Mindfulness
- Reading
- Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
Along with these, we're hosting the following performances:
- Betty Machete & the Jumping Fleas, an all-women's ukulele club
- The Wormtown Mugwumps jug band
- Cory Scott, aka the Rat Catcher Extraordinaire
- Janoah anygoodjokes?, a juggler and unicyclist unlike any other
- Community Read Along with Pete the Cat of "Pete the Cat: Rocking My School Shoes" and "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes"
- Josh Marin & Life Skills Martial Arts demonstration
- Dan & Imogene, a father-daughter musical duo
- Hip-Hop with InDaZone, a hip-hop dance team based out of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
- Eternals Lion Dance performance celebrating power, courage, and good luck
Our Day of Play festivities wouldn't be possible without our sponsors. We recognize and thank the following Day of Play sponsors — our event is free for our families and children because of your contributions:
Presenting Sponsors
- Edward Street
- The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
- The City of Worcester
- Worcester Family Partnership
Play Area Sponsor
- The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation
Activity Sponsor
- Abbvie
- Guild of St. Agnes Early Education & Care
- Mass Cultural Council
- Tufts Health Plan
- Wegmans
Contributing Sponsors
- Berkshire Bank
- Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
- Country Bank
- Eastern Bank
- Rainbow Child Development Center
Supporters
- Cornerstone Bank
- Middlesex Savings Bank
- Open Sky Community Services
- Price Chopper/Market 32
- Webster Five
- YWCA of Central Massachusetts
Don't Miss Our Day of Play Family Festival!
Our Day of Play kicks off at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Spend the day with us and enjoy a community experience you won't soon forget. Here are things you can do to get ready for our Day of Play
- Take a trip down memory lane by viewing our photo albums and seeing some of our past Day of Play festivities
- Read our blog post to learn about the Young Mathematicians (YM) project and their Day of Play "Math Is Everywhere" booth
- Call our office at 508-792-0220 to learn about our volunteer opportunities and how you can help us with our Day of Play
Also, read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more about our Day of Play and our other local early childhood programs and initiatives.