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

Get our free Top Ten 1000 Hours Outside Podcast Books from 2025⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to ⁠www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS⁠ and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to ⁠www.ixl.com/1000hours⁠ to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to ⁠www.wayfair.com⁠ and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to ⁠www.curehydration.com/outside⁠ to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices