News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NR-03-27-24-play
March 27, 2024

COC to Host Children's Play Day on April 13

On Saturday, April 13, the College of the Canyons Department for Early Childhood Education (ECE) will host ‘Play Day’ as part of the nationally celebrated Week of the Young Child, which is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

Held in partnership with the International Play Association (IPA), the College of the Canyons Children’s Play Day aims to bring the community together for a day of high quality, developmentally stimulating play experiences for all children, infant to school age. 

The annual event also provides families with young children an opportunity to explore the many valuable resources that are available to them both at the college and in the community.

“We are very excited to host this community event once again as our last Play Day was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wendy Ruiz, event coordinator and faculty member at ECE. “This year’s event will feature a variety of the activities that children and families can enjoy together, including art, science/sensory, obstacle courses and more.”

Approximately 30 local non-profit groups and organizations dedicated to child and family services are expected to participate in this year’s Play Day.

Food vendors will also be available at the event. Attendees are also welcome to bring blanket and settle in under the shade for the day’s lineup of free activities.

In addition, attendees are encouraged to donate items (individual snack packs, pull top canned vegetables or soups, cereal, travel size bath/body care products) to the college's Basic Needs Center (BaNC) for a free raffle ticket.

The College of the Canyons Children’s Play Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in the COC Honor Grove, located on the college’s Valencia campus. The event is free and open to the public. 

Parking in college lots 5, 6 and 7, located off Rockwell Canyon Road adjacent to the campus’ tennis courts, will also be free for this event.

The NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.

Founded in 1961, IPA is an international non-governmental organization that provides a forum for exchange and action across disciplines and across sectors with the purpose to protect, preserve and promote the child’s right to play as a fundamental human right.  

For more information about Play Day at College of the Canyons, contact Wendy Ruiz at (661) 644-2752 or wendy.ruiz@canyons.edu.