OU Summer Educator PlayShop 2026: 3 or 4 Day Training

• Session 1, 3-Day Option: June 10-12, 2026, 8:30-3:30 each day

• Session 2, 4-Day Option: June 15-18, 2026, 8:30-3:30 each day, with engaging evening play/creativity activities 

Where: University of Oklahoma Campus, Norman, OK

Investment: 3-Day $375 per participant; 4-Day $500 per participant (limited to 20 participants per session)

Transforming Education Through the Power of Play Rediscover Your Inner Player. Revolutionize Your Teaching.

Are you ready to unlock the transformative power of play in education? Join us for an immersive educational journey that will change how you think about learning, teaching, and the incredible potential that lies within playful education. Choose between our Core 3-day experience or upgrade to our Premium 4-day cultural immersion.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO ATTEND HERE.

What Is the PlayShop Experience?

The OU Summer Educator PlayShop is a hands-on, research-based professional development experience designed for educators who want to harness the science of play to create more engaging, effective, and joyful learning environments. This isn't just another workshop—it's a transformative experience that reconnects you with your own capacity for play while equipping you with practical tools to integrate playful learning into your practice.

Training Options

Core 3-Day Experience - $375

A concentrated, transformative introduction to play-based learning

You'll Experience:

• Personal Play Reconnection: Engage in self-active play sessions with diverse materials including clay, kinetic sand, magnatiles, and zen gardens. Create identity-reflecting art projects and discover your unique play personality. Practice mindfulness and breathing techniques that center and ground your teaching practice.

• The Neuroscience Behind Play: Explore cutting-edge research on how play affects brain development and learning. Understand the neurological foundations that make play such a powerful educational tool. Learn why adults need to play in order to effectively teach through play.

• Practical Pedagogy: Design playful learning activities aligned with educational standards. Experience guided play sessions and free play labs. Master the art of being a "playmaker" in your learning environment.

• Community and Advocacy: Build connections with like-minded educators who share your passion for playful learning. Develop your advocacy skills with elevator speeches and community engagement strategies. Create lasting networks of support for your play-based teaching journey.

• Movement and Embodied Learning: Participate in active body/active brain activities including quadrupedal movement. Experience how physical play enhances cognitive function. Learn games and activities that integrate movement into academic content.

Premium 4-Day Cultural Immersion - $500

Upgrade for just $125 and experience the complete play-based learning journey with cultural enrichment

Everything from the Core 3-day experience PLUS:

• Extended Play Opportunities: Additional hands-on play sessions with expanded material exploration. Deeper dive into personal play style development. Extended free play labs for more comprehensive experimentation.

• Advanced Lesson Planning Workshop: Intensive practice sessions for creating specific lesson plans with detailed alignment to desired learning targets and educational standards. Personalized coaching for integrating play into your specific curriculum. Small group collaboration on lesson design and implementation strategies.

• Cultural Evening Experiences (Valued at $200+): Two curated nighttime events featuring transportation to and from play or creativity engagements in the Norman and Oklahoma City area. Immersive experiences that model adult play and creative expression. Networking opportunities in inspiring cultural settings.

• Museum Visit with Guided Activities: Exploration of local cultural institutions with hands-on creative experiences that demonstrate play-based learning in action.

• Collaborative Art Workshop: Group painting experience that showcases the power of creative play in adult learning and community building.

Accommodation Options

On-Campus Dormitory Housing (Optional)

Stay right on campus for the full residential experience that enhances community building and learning immersion.

Core 3-Day Program: 3 nights accommodation (arrive the evening before training begins, depart on the last day of training)

Premium 4-Day Program: 4 nights accommodation (arrive the evening before training begins, depart on the last day of training)

Dormitory pricing: Currently being finalized, expected to be under $100 per night. Final pricing will be announced soon.

Alternative Accommodation

Participants may choose to arrange their own local accommodations or commute daily if preferred.

What's Included in Your Registration

Core 3-Day Experience ($375):

• All training sessions and materials

• Daily breakfast and lunch

• Snacks and refreshments throughout each day

• All play materials and supplies

• Training resources and take-home materials

Premium 4-Day Experience ($500):

• Everything included in the Core 3-day program

• Full additional day of intensive training

• Two evening cultural activities with all transportation provided

• Museum visit admission and guided activities

• Art workshop materials and expert instruction

• Enhanced curriculum planning resources and personalized coaching

• Extended community building and networking opportunities

Note: Dormitory accommodation is separate and optional for both programs. Dinners are not included, giving you flexibility to explore local dining options. On-campus cafeteria and numerous nearby restaurants are available.

Transportation and Logistics

• Cultural Activities (Premium program): All transportation provided to and from venues in Norman and Oklahoma City area

• Local Transportation: Uber services available for additional transportation needs

• Campus Access: Easy access to on-campus dining and facilities

Choose Your Learning Journey

Core 3-Day Experience - $375

Perfect for educators seeking focused, transformative training in play-based learning with all essential components included.

Premium 4-Day Cultural Immersion - $500

Upgrade for just $125 more! Get everything in the Core program PLUS a full extra day, cultural evening experiences valued at $200+, advanced coaching, and deeper community connections.

Add optional dormitory accommodation for the complete residential experience that maximizes your learning and networking opportunities.

Both programs will revolutionize your approach to education and reconnect you with the joy of learning through play.

Registration and dormitory booking information coming soon!

Program Details

When: Choose your session

• Session 1, 3-Day Option: June 10-12, 2026, 8:30-3:30 each day

• Session 2, 4-Day Option: June 15-18, 2026, 8:30-3:30 each day, with engaging evening play/creativity activities 

Where: University of Oklahoma Campus, Norman, OK

Investment: 3-Day $375 per participant; 4-Day $500 per participant (limited to 20 participants per session)

Meet Your PlayShop Leaders

Our experienced team brings together expertise in education, neuroscience, child development, and play-based learning. We're passionate educators who have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of play in learning environments and are committed to supporting other educators in this journey.

See these bios at About Our Team

What Participants Are Saying

"This training completely changed how I approach my classroom. The science behind play gave me the confidence to advocate for more playful learning, and the hands-on activities showed me exactly how to make it happen."

"I rediscovered my own joy in learning while gaining practical tools I could implement immediately. The community of educators I met here continues to support and inspire my work."