1KHO 689: Play Is Disappearing So Here’s How to Bring It Back| Pat Rumbaugh, The Play Lady

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What if the simplest solution to so many modern childhood struggles is… more play?

Ginny sits down with Pat Rumbaugh - aka “The Play Lady” - a longtime PE teacher, coach, TED Talk speaker (yes, she hula-hoops while she talks), and founder of Let’s Play America. Pat shares what she’s witnessed since she began teaching in 1981: a steady decline in free, child-led, neighborhood play, and the ripple effects it has on kids, families, and communities.

Together, they unpack why play builds flexibility, creativity, empathy, resilience, and real-life social skills, and why multi-age, unstructured play is so different from adult-led activities and overscheduled sports. Pat also offers practical, doable ways to bring play back: hosting a Play Day, creating StoryWalks, adding “play stations” to existing community events, and even closing your street so kids can safely take over the space again.

If you’ve been craving more connection, more laughter, and more “real kids outside” moments, this episode will give you both the why and the how.

Learn more: letsplayamerica.org

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