Play@TED is live on May 14!

Come Play
Tune in for inspiring talks and playful experiences exploring the power of play.
May
14

Let’s Reimagine Play

What if play isn’t a break from learning and work, but the engine behind them?

Play@TED is a partnership between TED, the LEGO Group, and the LEGO Foundation aimed at inspiring a global movement to transform how we think about play. Together we will showcase how creative play can be a game-changer and help shape brighter minds, braver ideas, and a more imaginative future for everyone.

Go live with us!

Join us live to explore how play unlocks fresh thinking through an engaging, thought-provoking experience designed to spark new ideas.
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TED-ED Original Animations

Come discover new animated lessons, exploring the science, history, and transformative power of play.

The missing ingredient in how we learn.

5:49

Before the last few centuries, children around the world spent most of their time learning through play: observing and mimicking adults, roaming their surroundings, and sharing what they learned with friends and family. Many communities and educators still believe play is one of the best teachers we have. Explore the benefits and challenges of using self-directed play-based learning in schools.

Why do babies love peek-a-boo?

5:28

In Italy, it’s called il gioco del cucù. Palestinians say ba' 'éno. And in Japan, it’s inaīnaibā! Peek-a-boo is a near-universal source of laughter and connection for infants and adults— it’s the first game that almost everyone plays. So what is it about this goofy game that babies love so much? Dig into how this simple game promotes the development of our cognitive, motor, and social skills.

Why kids need to take more risks

5:23

The best play environments offer freedom and novelty that kids can explore as much or as little as they like. But traditional playgrounds don’t offer much flexibility— swings, slides, and climbing frames are hardly novel structures. So, how do we create better play spaces? Explore the cognitive benefits of risky play and how we can design playgrounds that promote fun, agency, and development.

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I am...

Get Involved!
A man carrying a young child on his shoulders against an orange background with four large peach circles.
a parent

Never Stop Playing!

Play doesn’t require perfection, extra hours in the day, or elaborate plans from parents and caregivers. It shows up in small, meaningful ways — in laughter, in nudges, in curiosity, and in simply being present together.
What can you do?
an educator

Let Play Lead Learning!

Play doesn’t require extra time, perfect conditions, or a complete overhaul of your curriculum. It can live in everyday moments — in curiosity, in exploration, in collaboration, and in giving students the space to think, try, and imagine.
What can you do?
Man in gray suit and red tie speaking into a microphone during an interview.
a policy maker

Make Play Possible!

The future belongs to children who play. Yet play is continually undervalued and deprioritised in an over structured world. Packed schedules, limited public space, and unequal access to safe environments have left many children without the freedom or opportunity to play. We need your help to create a world where every child’s right to play is respected, protected and fulfilled.
What can you do?

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