Rooted in Play Events

Summer Pause - Play Returns THIS SEPTEMBER

We take a break from popups during the hottest months of the year, but don’t worry, we’ll be back soon! Starting in October, Rooted in Play will return with our FREE monthly Popup Adventure Playgrounds, filled with child-led creativity, loose parts, and joyful community connection. Keep an eye on this page and follow us on social media for upcoming dates and locations.

Popup Adventure Playground
Oct
4

Popup Adventure Playground

A FREE, outdoor play event where kids lead and imagination rules.

Rooted in Play hosts Popup Adventure Playgrounds across Tampa, offering children the chance to build, create, and explore in an open-ended, child-led environment. With support from trained playworkers, kids co-create dynamic play spaces using loose parts like cardboard, fabric, tires, tape, etc. No instructions, no adult outcomes, and no limits on imagination.

These family events are designed to support creativity, collaboration, and healthy risk-taking in a space where play is taken seriously (but never too seriously).

Popups are FREE to attend, but advance registration is required.

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Back-to-School Festival
Aug
16

Back-to-School Festival

We are teaming up to celebrate the start of the school year the best way we know how: with messy hands, big ideas, open-ended exploration, and PLAY!

Expect loose parts, sensory fun, collaborative art, and a whole lot of YES.

All ages welcome. Play is for everyone.

Be sure to register in advance!

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground - MUD DAY!
Jun
14

FREE Popup Adventure Playground - MUD DAY!

A popup adventure playground is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment. The benefits of this type of play include measurable increases in well-being, concentration, feelings of mastery, gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, and even better eyesight.

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground
May
17

FREE Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment. The benefits of this type of play include measurable increases in well-being, concentration, feelings of mastery, gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, and even better eyesight.

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground
Apr
19

FREE Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment. The benefits of this type of play include measurable increases in well-being, concentration, feelings of mastery, gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, and even better eyesight.

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground
Mar
1

FREE Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary, child-centered play space filled with loose parts like cardboard, fabric, tires, and other everyday materials that encourage creativity and exploration. Facilitated by trained playworkers, these playgrounds empower children to build, imagine, and lead their own play experiences, fostering independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. Designed to be inclusive and adaptable, popup adventure playgrounds provide a unique opportunity for unstructured, open-ended play in a safe and supportive environment.

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground
Feb
8

FREE Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary, child-centered play space filled with loose parts like cardboard, fabric, tires, and other everyday materials that encourage creativity and exploration. Facilitated by trained playworkers, these playgrounds empower children to build, imagine, and lead their own play experiences, fostering independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. Designed to be inclusive and adaptable, popup adventure playgrounds provide a unique opportunity for unstructured, open-ended play in a safe and supportive environment.

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FREE Popup Adventure Playground
Jan
11

FREE Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary, child-centered play space filled with loose parts like cardboard, fabric, tires, and other everyday materials that encourage creativity and exploration. Facilitated by trained playworkers, these playgrounds empower children to build, imagine, and lead their own play experiences, fostering independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. Designed to be inclusive and adaptable, popup adventure playgrounds provide a unique opportunity for unstructured, open-ended play in a safe and supportive environment.

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Rooted in Play Popup Adventure Playground-FREE
Dec
7

Rooted in Play Popup Adventure Playground-FREE

A full setup of loose parts, open-ended materials, and play stations where children can freely explore, create, and imagine. This is a perfect opportunity for children to dive deep into self-directed play, allowing them to follow their interests, take risks, and engage in problem-solving. Funding for this event is generously provided by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.  

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Sunshine City with Kids Day of Play-FREE
Nov
17

Sunshine City with Kids Day of Play-FREE

At our Sunshine City vendor booth, you’ll get a preview of the benefits of child-led play with a mini pop-up setup. We’ll bring a variety of loose parts for children to tinker with and create. Stop by to learn more about the importance of unstructured play in helping children develop social skills, confidence, and creativity!

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Popup for the ELC Day of Play
May
18

Popup for the ELC Day of Play

Get ready to have fun with your community as we come together to play while celebrating the Early Learning Coalition’s Summer Bash! This fun family event is to help prepare children ages birth to 5 for their kindergarten journey, with all-inclusive activities like:

  • FREE play with Rooted in Play

  • Fun educational activities

  • Free resources from community partners

  • Awesome giveaways

  • Games

  • and more!

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Popup Adventure Playground
Apr
27

Popup Adventure Playground

Join us for a fun filled morning of FREE child-led play! A popup adventure playground is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment.

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Popup Playgroup
Mar
8

Popup Playgroup

Rooted in Play is thrilled to present our new initiative: Popup Playgroups. These engaging sessions provide a unique opportunity for small groups of children to immerse themselves in a world of exploration, creativity, and play.

Our Playgroups offer a more focused and intimate experience compared to our free monthly popups. With a maximum of 10 children per playworker, we are able to provide personalized attention and tailored activities that cater to the specific interests and needs of each child. Registration is required for this event. Details, including registration information, below.

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Popup Adventure Playground
Feb
24

Popup Adventure Playground

What is a popup adventure playground? A popup is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment. The benefits of this type of play include measurable increases in well-being, concentration, feelings of mastery, gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, and even better eyesight.

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ELC Day of Play
Feb
3

ELC Day of Play

Join the Rooted in Play and the Early Learning Coalition as we come together to play while celebrating creativity in nature! This fun family event is to help prepare children birth to 5 years old for their kindergarten journey. Registration is required (linked below).

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Popup Adventure Playground
Jan
6

Popup Adventure Playground

A popup adventure playground is a temporary play space created by children and playworkers, using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. It allows children to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills to build and explore their own play environment. The benefits of this type of play include measurable increases in well-being, concentration, feelings of mastery, gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, and even better eyesight.

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Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park
Nov
20

Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

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Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park
Nov
15

Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

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Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park
Nov
13

Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

View Event →
Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park
Nov
8

Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

View Event →
Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park
Nov
6

Rooted in Play-Group at Copeland Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

View Event →
Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park
Nov
1

Rooted in Play-Group at Gadsden Park

Join the Rooted in Play-Group for a journey of imagination and self-directed play! Designed for kids 18 months to 5 years, our 45-minute sessions empower little ones while equipping parents with tools to nurture learning through play at home. Discover engaging loose parts and resources to keep the play going at home. Secure your spot for November's trial playgroups at $20 per session, with refunds for emergencies only. Small, intimate groups limited to 10 participants. Enrich your child's development, one playgroup at a time!

To reserve your spot and see other dates, purchase this play-group in our shop. Once we receive your registration we will email you the registration info.

View Event →
Day of Play: Nature in the Park
Oct
7

Day of Play: Nature in the Park

This pop-up adventure playground is hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. Come join us for some fun in the park with the family! Activities and giveaways will be focused on children ages birth to 5 years old on October 7th.

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