Playmaker City Boston 2026

This kickoff event is all about bringing together the most passionate, playful, and powerfully positive early childhood professionals in the city of Boston — and guess what? You made the list.

The work you do as an early childhood professional is some of the most important work in the world. Our goal is to help you reconnect with your purpose, recharge your energy, and become part of a powerful community of educators who believe in the healing power of play.

Our trained Playmakers experience stronger relationships with children, less burnout, and more joy in their work. You deserve that, too.

Thanks to our sponsors at Citizens, every participant at Playmaker City Boston will receive a full scholarship to Playmaker University ($500 value) AND a $250 stipend upon completion of Playmaker University...with 1.8 CEUs!

PS - Be sure to register using this Eventbrite link to officially save your spot!

PPS - Please register using the same email you used for the Nomination Form as well. This makes things easier for our team when planning the event :)

2:00 - 2:30pm: Opening Reception & Registration
Come on in, have some lunch, and explore the activations throughout the space.

2:30 – 2:45pm: Welcoming Remarks
It's time to kick off the movement together!

2:45 – 3:30pm: Keynote Experience
Get ready for inspiration, storytelling, and practical insights from our Founder and Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, who has spent 30+ years helping educators bring more joy and resilience into their work.

3:30 – 5:00pm: Two Breakout Sessions
Learn, laugh, and play with two breakout sessions and refreshments.

5:00 – 5:30pm: Closing Session
Key takeaways and what comes next.

5:30 – 6:00pm: Celebratory Reception
Celebrate, connect, and build your Playmaker community.

Even though the event doesn't officially kick off until 2pm, we recommend arriving to the area betwen 1:30- 1:45pm to allow time for parking, check-in, and settling in before the program begins. Below are some options so you feel prepared when the day comes:

Venue Address: 2 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

Parking Garages Options (~5 minute walks from venue)

• Landsdown Garage: 45 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA
• Van Ness Garage:1325 Boylston St, Boston, MA
• Fenway Center Bower Garage / Pilgrim Parking: 771 Beacon St, Boston, MA
  

Public Transportation Options:

• Lansdowne MBTA Commuter Rail Stop (short walk)
• Kenmore Station (Green Line)
• Nearby Fenway-area parking garages and metered parking

We Pinky Promise to You: An inspiring, energizing experience that celebrates you and the incredible work you do every day.

You Pinky Promise to Us: To fully use the opportunity you’ve been selected for by continuing your journey through Playmaker University after the event. Completion of Playmaker University is how you will receive your $500 scholarship, CEUs, and stipend.

Thanks to our sponsor Citizens, you will receive:

• Playmaker University is our signature virtual certification program designed to help you build trauma-informed, play-based skills at your own pace, with live support available along the way.
• After the May 6th event, you will be sent an application to enroll in PMU. There are virtual 10 lessons, a learning lab, and a final assignment. Learners have access to live support throughout their journey.

• We achieved international recognition through the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the gold standard in professional learning.
• This means our Playmaker community gets the credit they deserve to advance their career, and our supporters get the confidence they deserve knowing our program has been independently reviewed and recognized.

• We know how valuable your time and energy are. After completing Playmaker University, you’ll receive a $250 graduation stipend too as a thank-you for investing in your growth and bringing these tools back to the children and communities you serve every day.

• Playmaker University isn’t a one-and-done training. As a Playmaker, you’ll gain continued access to coaching, advanced learning opportunities, and a community of fellow educators who are committed to supporting one another long after the program ends. You’ll leave with practical tools and people in your corner.

By joining us for this event, you’re committing to continue the journey by enrolling in and actively participating in Playmaker University after the kickoff experience, graduating Playmaker University by no later than November 23, 2026. (Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.)

ABOUT THE LIFE IS GOOD PLAYMAKER PROJECT

The Life is Good Playmaker Project is the nonprofit partner to Life is Good dedicated to helping kids heal from childhood trauma. For over 20 years, we have provided trauma-informed, optimism-infused training, resources, and support to over 30,000 early childhood professionals who reach over 1 million kids each year. Our program has been proven to address some of the biggest challenges in the field by reducing burnout, improving the quality of teacher-student relationships, and better preparing educators to support the social-emotional health of children facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma. We are an IACET-accredited organization and offer IACET CEUs for Playmaker University. You can learn more at playmakerproject.org.

WHAT IS A PLAYMAKER?

Decades of research show nurturing relationships with attuned, responsive adults can protect children from trauma’s impacts and set the foundation for long-term health & success. Playmakers are early childhood professionals trained to build these life-changing relationships by using the single most important activity in children’s lives – play.

For any questions about the event, you can contact John Logan at [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne Street, Boston, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App