2023
10 PLAY DATE ACTIVITIES FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FUN
KIDS NOWADAYS ARE PLAYING ON PHONES, NOT OUTSIDE
FUNDING FOR PLAYDAYS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
PRIORITIES IN PLAY, PLAY DAY HANDBOOKS, PAT RUMBAUGH, PAGE 70
INSPIRATIONALLY PLAYFUL, BOOKS TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO PLAY, PAT RUMBAUGH, PAGE 50
A 16-YEAR OLD’S EXPERIENCE OF FUN, LEARNING, AND PLAY
LEARNING ABOUT LET’S PLAY AMERICA WITH THE PLAY LADY, PAT RUMBAUGH
PLAYGROUNDS MAKE FOR A GREAT PLACE FOR A PLAY DAY
WITH COMMUNITY HELPERS THE PLAY LADY RECEIVES THE FRED ROGERS HELPERS AWARD
RX FOR GRANDPARENTS: PLAY WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS
2022
YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR 14TH ANNUAL PLAY DAY (PLAYGROUNDPROFESSIONALS.COM)
Let’s Play America has a long and proud history of volunteer involvement. In her regular Playground Professionals column, The Play Lady celebrates LPA’s volunteers, or play angels.
PUTTING THE “FUN” IN FUNDRAISING
Pat Rumbaugh, aka the Play Lady, shared a variety of ways to help support Let’s Play America’s mission in a recent Playground Professionals article. Read to find out the past, present and future of LPA’s fundraising efforts!
PAT RUMBAUGH IN WOMEN’S WORLD MAGAZINE
Pat Rumbaugh is quoted as one of the experts in the February 10, 2022 issue of Women’s World magazine.
TAKOMA PARK’S PLAYGROUND GUIDE AND SCAVENGER HUNT
Are you dreaming of a playground guide or scavenger hunt for your community? Pat, the Play Lady, explains the process of creating the Takoma Park playground guide and the impact similar guides could make on other communities.
LETS PLAY AMERICA ENCOURAGES RISKY PLAY ONE PLAY DAY AT A TIME
Pat Rumbaugh, known as The Play Lady is the Co-Founder and Executive Director for the nonprofit, Let’s Play America (LPA). Rumbaugh and summer intern, Jeremy Hoffner share their personal risky play experiences; highlight experts in the field, and provide concrete ways for stakeholders to offer risky play to others. The authors encourage communities to not only start localized play coalitions but follow the mission of LPA—bring risky play into the lives of both children and adult nationwide.
SUMMER FUN STARTS AT THE PLAYGROUND
2021
FUNDING FOR PLAY (PLAYGROUNDPROFESSIONALS.COM)
The Play Lady shares playground memories in her winter column for Play & Playground Magazine’s winter issue.
The Takoma Park Newsletter features Let’s Play America’s efforts to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of our community by continuing our playful programming throughout the pandemic.
INVITE FAMILY & FRIENDS TO PLAY VIRTUALLY
In her spring column for Playground Professionals, the Play Lady shares experiences and inspiration for virtual play as we continue to connect online.
The Play Lady’s newest children’s book, Let’s Play Outside, is available for purchase, and the Takoma Park Newsletter tells you all about it.
The Play Lady’s summer article for Playground Professionals is here, and she tells you all about our digital resources for communities, her new children’s book, and the exciting Free to Play Summit coming up in July!
BLOG POST FROM SPREADSHIRT.COM
The host for our online Shop & Play store, Spreadshirt.com, has written a blog post about LPA!
INTERVIEW WITH THE PLAY LADY: NEW BOOK AND PLAY DAYS
Pat Rumbaugh was interviewed by Taylor Dibbert for this article on Medium.com. They discuss Pat’s newest children’s book, Let’s Play Outside, and the merits of both online and in person Play Days.
SEPTEMBER PLAY DAY IN TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER
Get excited for our upcoming Play Day in Takoma Park!
LPA’s 2021 summer intern, Praneeth Kolli, wrote a thoughtful article about the stigma around play. He looks at his own positive relationship with play in childhood, and encourages us continue to embrace play in adulthood.
2020
LOCAL TEEN VOLUNTEERS WITH LPA TO REPAINT HOPSCOTCH BOARDS
Check us out on page 4 of the Takoma Park Newsletter.
PLAY & PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE: WHEN WE GET TO PLAY AGAIN
Pat’s article helps us look forward to future play dates, and announces the arrival of Let’s Play America’s Play Day Handbook this July!
C’MON OVER FOR AN OUTDOOR PLAY DATE
The Play Lady’s article is part of a series of Expert Advice for The Genius of Play.
THE PLAY LADY IN THE WASHINGTON POST
The Play Lady gives advice on active and safe play during the pandemic.
LET’S PLAY AMERICA IN DAYNA’S DOSE
The Play Lady suggests Dr. Eileen Feliciano’s 25 tips for mental wellness durings quarantine.
PLAY & PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE: PAT’S ARTICLE ABOUT PARTNERS IN PLAY
Find the full issue online here. Pat’s article is on pages 18-19.
LPA IN THE TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER: Takoma-Park-Newsletter-September2020.pdf (takomaparkmd.gov)
2019
PAT’S WINTER COLUMN: ASK THE PLAY LADY
PETULA DVORAK MAKES A CASE FOR GIVING TO LET’S PLAY AMERICA
Read her Washington Post article here: For #GivingTuesday, let’s gift our way out of cluttered homes
PAT’S FALL COLUMN: ASK THE PLAY LADY
This month’s submission, A Playful Summer Internship, was written by EMILY SCHREINER, a LPA 2019 summer intern.
PUSHING PLAY
In 2009 Claire Koenig volunteered at the 1st Play Day sponsored by the Takoma Park Play Committee – which would eventually birth Let’s Play America and many more Play Days. After volunteering Claire wrote this essay for her English class. In this lovely essay Claire beautifully describes the magic of play, and the passion and dedication of play advocates.
PAT’S SUMMER COLUMN: ASK THE PLAY LADY
PAT’S SPRING COLUMN: ASK THE PLAY LADY
2018
“SAVING PLAY” – PAT’S ALMA MATER, INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT LPA AND PAT
PAT’S WINTER COLUMN: ASK THE PLAY LADY
WAYS FOR GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDKIDS TO HAVE FUN
STUDY LINKS RESTRICTING SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS TO HIGHER MENTAL PERFORMANCE
STUDY SHOWS FAMILY LIFE IS SUFFERING FROM SCREEN OVERLOAD
DOCTORS ARE NOW PRESCRIBING PLAYTIME
PAT’S FALL COLUMN, ASK THE PLAY LADY
LETS PLAY AMERICA ARTICLE IN TAKOMA NEWSLETTER
AUGUST HIGHLIGHT IN TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER
PAT’S SUMMER COLUMN, ASK THE PLAY LADY
https://playgroundprofessionals.com/play/my-father-man-who-inspired-people-play
ASK THE PLAY LADY, MARCH 2018
https://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/play/health-and-safety/spring-hop-and-jump-play103
2017
ASK THE PLAY LADY, DECEMBER 2017
https://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/playground/indoor/indoor-winter-delights-one-and-all312
LET THE PEOPLE PLAY, NOVEMBER 2017
PAT’S FALL COLUMN, ASK THE PLAY LADY
https://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/play/development-community-play-takoma-park-maryland509
AARP FEATURES LET’S PLAY AMERICA
Let’s Play America received some wonderful news from AARP. Let’s Play America and Takoma Park are featured in the 2017 Edition of Nancy LeaMond’s book, WHERE WE LIVE: Communities For All Ages 100 + Inspiring Ideas From Community Leaders.
You can order a free print edition of Where We Live at
AARP.org/WhereWeLive
TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER, SEPTEMBER 2017
WTOP, “EVERY DAY IS KID’S DAY”
http://wtop.com/every-day-is-kids-day/2017/07/every-day-kids-day-importance-summer-play/
PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE, SUMMER 2017, “ASK THE PLAY LADY”
TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER, JUNE 2017
PLAYING, FITNESS FOR CHILDREN, AND HEALTHY EATING GO HAND IN HAND MARCH 2017
TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER, APRIL 2017
https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/news/newsletter/2017/20170404-Takoma-Park-City-Newsletter.pdf
LPA volunteers appeared on the front page of the Takoma Park newsletter.
BRING BACK FREE PLAY APRIL 2017
http://shoutengine.com/PlayGrounding/pgp-30-bringing-back-free-play-trusting-kids-to-ch-35082
THE PLAY LADY TO GIVE PLAYTALK “IS YOUR COMMUNITY DESIGNED FOR PLAY?” APRIL 2017
https://usplaycoalition.org/the-play-lady-playtalk
GENIUS OF PLAY US PLAY COALITION SWEEPSTAKES AWARD
We will receive $250 for closing a street to play in a low income neighborhood. Date, Time, and Location TBA.
PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE, SPRING 2017
Pat’s first column in The Play and Playground Magazine called Ask The Play Lady. The website for the magazine is https://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
TAKOMA VOICE – SEVENTH ANNUAL MID-WINTER PLAY DAY, 2017
http://takomavoice.com/gallery/seventh-annual-mid-winter-play-day/
2016
PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE – READY TO GET WET?
http://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine/issues/2016/06/ready-get-wet106
AARP INTERVIEW
GENIUS OF PLAY
MORAL LANDSCAPES BLOG, PSYCHOLOGY TODAY, 2015/2016
Start a Play Club in Your School
Inter-Generational Games Night
The Play Lady Tells Us How to Become Play-ers
Community Service: Teens Make Great Play Advocates
How to Start a Play Committee in Your Community
How to Plan a Play Day in Your Community
2015
WASHINGTON POST EXPRESS, JULY 16, 2015
THE PLAY LADY GETS BULLETIN BOARDS INSTALLED AT CITY PARKS! JULY 2015
https://takomaparkmd.gov/newsletter/bulletin-boards-installed-at-city-parks/
WTOP, MAY 2015
http://wtop.com/lifestyle/2015/05/promoting-play-the-importance-of-a-spontaneous-summer/slide/1/
GAITHERSBURG BOOK FESTIVAL, 2015
http://gaithersburgbookfestival.org/the-play-lady-pat-rumbaughs-favorite-book/
2014
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO PLAY – MEMBERS’ NEWS BLAST
http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a68cb4c5d2185a21ac1b3e76d&id=b76bb9b492
WASHINGTON POST – OPINION PIECE ON PLAY
PLAY TO BE IN STYLE AT ANNUAL TAKOMA PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
2013
MAY 2013 VOA ARTICLE- ‘PLAY LADY’ ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO PLAY
https://www.voanews.com/a/play-lady-encourages-everyone-to-play/1651293.html
WASHINGTON POST – LOCAL LIVING FEATURE
ABOUT FAMILIES BOOK REVIEW – MARCH 2013 ISSUE
Let’s Play at the Playground! By Pat Rumbaugh, The Play Lady Community Voice Media, LLC Picture Book $11.95 Rating ****
Young children love books about kids their age doing things they like to do. Let’s Play at the Playground is a wonderful example of how the combination of simple text and beautiful action photographs can portray a wonderful message. Playing is fun!
Now more than ever it is important to encourage kids to get out and play and this book does that. “By the time I finish reading this book at our library’s Circle Time, the kids are all revved up to run outside and play. It’s thrilling to see how this book inspires kids to get up and get moving.”
Karen MacPherson Children’s & Youth Services Coordinator, Takoma Park Maryland Library
Author, Pat Rumbaugh is a leading proponent of the importance of play in all of our lives. She was a physical education teacher at the Washington International School for more than 25 years. In 2009 the Washington post named her “All-Met Tennis Coach of the Year.
2012
COME OUT AND PLAY ON ZIP CODE DAY 2/09/12
http://takomavoice.com/2012/02/07/community-come-out-and-play-on-zip-code-day-20912/
2011
RESIDENTS ENJOY MID-WINTER PLAY DAY
https://patch.com/maryland/takomapark/residents-enjoy-mid-winter-play-day
TAKOMA PARK MID WINTER PLAY TO HIT THE STAGE SATURDAY
https://patch.com/maryland/takomapark/takoma-park-mid-winter-play-to-hit-the-stage-saturday
WASHINGTON PARENT SEPTEMBER 2011- ONE WOMAN’S COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN
https://www.washingtonparent.com/articles/1109/play.php
TAKOMA VOICE OCTOBER 2011- FROM “TOUCH A TRUCK” TO FOUR SQUARE AT THE 3RD ANNUAL PLAY DAY
2010
SEPTEMBER 2010-TAKOMA PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/22/AR2010092202845_pf.html
SEPTEMBER 2010- PIED PIPER PAT MAKES TAKOMA PARK MORE PLAYFUL
http://takomavoice.com/2010/09/01/pied_piper_pat_makes_takoma_pa/
FOR TAKOMA PARK KIDS, THE PLAYING’S THE THING
OCTOBER 2010 SEPTEMBER PLAY DAY
http://takomavoice.com/2010/10/01/by_sandy_moorephotos_by_molly/
2009
THE GAZETTE JULY 2009- PASSION FOR RECREATION EARNS TAKOMA PARK ‘PLAYFUL CITY’ DESIGNATION
http://www.gazette.net/stories/07222009/silvnew193145_32535.shtml
SOMETIMES, STUDENTS HAVE TO RELEARN HOW TO PLAY
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102704009.html
CITY COMMITTEE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09302009/silvnew190658_32521.shtml
TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER, NOVEMBER 2009
https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/news/newsletter/2009/20091101-takoma-park-city-newsletter.pdf
TAKOMA PARK NEWSLETTER, JUNE 2009 (PAGE 3 PLAYS THE THING)
https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/news/newsletter/2009/20090601-takoma-park-city-newsletter.pdf
WEEKLY READER, MARCH 2009 (GET UP AND GO PLAY)