Current Programs
Build & Play Preschool
Build & Play Preschool debuted in 2022. The program hosts sessions during the mornings for a variety of classes on a weekly basis. Play Counselors and teachers work together on creating a safe and fun environment that promotes child-led creative, pretend, sensory and cooperative play.
We found that the preschoolers like to build ALOT. When freedom to use as many boxes and tape as you desire is paired with the boundless imagination of 4-year old children, the results show that their imagination, creativity and determination has no limits. They’ve used the boxes and tape to create cars, helicopters, robots, even a giant elephant. The children also engage in a lot of pretend play such as pretending to be robots, running a restaurant, playing with dinosaurs, dressing up, etc. Their personality, creativity, thoughts, and joy are revealed through play.
Build & Play Afterschool
Build & Play Afterschool initially started as a mobile pop-up-play program visiting children in afterschool programs at local nonprofit organizations. In 2019, the program grew when we received our first grant from Children’s Services Council allowing us to offer Build & Play sessions on a consistent weekly basis and expand the program to be offered at more sites in the community. Since its debut, Build & Play Afterschool has partnered with 5 local nonprofit organizations bringing weekly play sessions after school hours to children in kindergarten to 5th grade at local afterschool centers. Our play counselors work with afterschool coordinators on providing a safe open space outdoors for children to run out their energy, build creations and play with one another.
Build & Play Middle School
Middle schoolers are not too old to play!
The US Play Coalition funded our Build & Play Middle School pilot program in 2020. We currently serve middle school students at Carver Middle School. Loose parts, STEM and art supplies are available to the students. Our Play Counselors strongly encourage students to take the lead in however they choose to spend their time, yet we support and offer our help when needed to carry out their goals.
At most sessions, students tend to engage in rough and tumble play and pretend to be invincible with pool noodles, giant television boxes, and hand-made cardboard swords and shields. Students love having access to the many art and science supplies and the freedom to use these supplies to create whatever creations they choose. The sessions show us that middle school children still need and want PLAY.
Build & Play is a community program of Sunflower Creative Arts, a Delray Beach based 501c3 nonprofit empowering children to be confident, creative and compassionate through Play, Nature and the Arts. We are funded by donors, grants, Sunflower Creative Arts, The Jim Moran Foundation, The Coalition and Prime Time Palm Beach County.