Kids at Play

Kids at Play is a child-led, play-based learning program where children guide their own learning through play. The program is nature based, with a significant portion of instructional time outdoors and the environment referred to as the third teacher, crossing boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Teachers act as co-learners and actively create rich learning environments, and the curriculum is guided by children’s interests.

• Ages: 6 weeks–7 years old

Kids at Play serves children from six weeks through first grade in a child-led, play-based learning environment. The program offers unique and affordable opportunities for extensive outdoor play and learning and includes a VPK program that promotes a love of learning and nature. It also offers winter, spring, and summer camps for school-age children. The program’s mission states that it believes in awakening the wonder through natural experiences and authentic self expression, views children as innately capable and competent, and aims to create space for children to have a voice to collaborate in their learning. Kids at Play identifies its values as Relationships, Honesty, Freedom, Comfort, Environment, Honor, Love, and Basics, and notes that its teaching philosophy is similar to Montessori and Waldorf but more affordable. The program emphasizes having strong connections between children, families, and the community. Testimonials shared by the program include statements about children learning and growing in a place that is “as wild and alive as they are,” the idea that by the end of the day “your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling,” and that childhood changes “the moment a puddle is first viewed as an obstacle instead of an opportunity.”

Last updated February 16, 2026.