Playful Neighborhood Clubs

Playing and exploring outside in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago. 

In the Playful Neighborhood Clubs, children explore and play outside. Creative outside play is encouraged through simple suggestions and open-ended supplies. The Play Guide encourages small groups of children to interact, communicate and negotiate among each other.

Programs are all outdoors and therefore will occur weather permitting. Playful Neighborhood encourages children to play outdoors in almost all types of weather, developing children's resiliency and acknowledging the pure joy that can be found when playing in the rain or snow. However, we will not meet if there is a storm or if temperatures are below 15 degrees.

After School Club

Grades 1-4 plus two 5th & 6th Grade helpers

Wednesdays in May

More Info Coming Soon

DAYS OFF SCHOOL

Grades 1 - 4, 5th & 6th Grade helpers

Explore the neighborhood and play on days off school. After meeting at a neighborhood location, the group will explore and engage in creative outdoor play.  A snack will be provided, but children should bring their own packed lunch. The location will be chosen closer to each date.

Wednesday, April 10 (CPS) 9am-2pm

Register

5th and 6th Grade Helpers

Helpers:

  • Model listening skills

  • Help set up and clean up supplies

  • Offer help or ideas to younger kids

  • Still have time to play themselves

Parents pay half price for Play Helpers! Experienced helpers may be able to earn a stipend this Spring and Summer.

The Playful Neigborhood After School Clubs put a twist on the "playworker" model that was developed in the U.K.  and exists in some places in the United States.  Playworkers work to supervise children and support, but not direct, their play. These Playworkers work mostly in Adventure Playgrounds. We do not have this type of playground in our area, but we do have several parks, standard playgrounds, and  open spaces within walking distance. These spaces have the potential to provide kids with abundant opportunities for unstructured outside play.  If given more time and some supervision, a group of children can pretend, build, move, experiment, and invent games together.