FREE TO PLAY
Daily Afterschool Program
About
Free to Play is a free daily after-school sports and snacks program for kids in grades 3 to 6 (ages 8 to 12) in Edmonton and Maskwacis, Alberta. It runs Monday to Friday out of select Edmonton Public, Edmonton Catholic and Maskwacis schools. There is no cost to families — registration, snacks, and all equipment are provided.
Schedule
As soon as the bell rings, kids head to their school gym to meet our awesome, certified Leaders and Coaches.
The program runs every school day, Monday to Friday, until 5:00 PM. On Thursday early dismissals, Kids take a field trip to participate in a fun Game Day with other schools.
What Kids Will Learn
It’s more than sports. Every session, we intentionally integrate social, emotional, and mental health skills through play. Kids learn about teamwork, confidence, getting along with others, and more.
Every day, children receive a snack to fuel up to play. Once a week, they take part in a food class learning about food groups, healthy eating habits, and how to make meals.
Coaches and Staff
Our staff are highly trained and certified in High Five, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Standard First Aid, Keeping Girls in Sport, Respect in Sport, Safe Sport, Commit to Kids and more.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Abbott waitlist
Balwin waitlist
Belmont waitlist
Calder waitlist
Callingwood waitlist
Delton waitlist
Ermineskin open
Frere Antoine waitlist
Grace Martin waitlist
Registration is ongoing! If your child’s school has a waitlist, please still register. Your family will be contacted when a spot opens up.
Nipisihkopahk open
Overlanders waitlist
Our Lady of Peace open
Sifton open
St. Elizabeth Catholic open
St. Francis of Assisi waitlist
St. Gerard waitlist
St. Martin open
St. Pius X open
Thorncliffe waitlist
Homesteader waitlist
Ivor Dent open
John A. McDougall waitlist
Lauderdale waitlist
Lee Ridge open
Lynnwood waitlist
Malcolm Tweddle waitlist
Mee-Yah-Noh open
McKee open
Is your child in Grade 6? They can stay longer afterschool with the Jr. Wolves, the next step in the Free Play pathway.
Grade 6 students at the above schools can join and be part of our Jr. Wolves! The Jr. Wolves program provides grade 6 students the opportunity to practice multiple sports (soccer, basketball, and ball hockey) with passionate coaches. They practice once a week and play games twice a month. Transportation and uniform is provided for game days. Interested? Learn more here.
Registration Policy
Children MUST commit to attending 4 days a week and not miss more than 4 days in the 6-week season. Children and families that miss too many days forfeit their spot and it will be given to another family in need of support. We understand that kids will need to miss due to doctor appointments, etc., so we will require notice.
A child’s spot may be forfeited if the attendance policy is not adhered to.
Note: To be part of the program, your child will need to have permission to walk from school as there will be no staff to wait for your child to be picked up.
Free to Play Edmonton Program Costs
Free to Play offers a "contribute what you can" membership model, where families can choose to cover anywhere from 0% to 100% of the program costs.
Wondering how much families typically contribute? Below are the exact program expenses for each school to help guide you.
We’re committed to being transparent and encourage families to contribute an amount that works for them while helping support Free Play for Kids. This flexible model allows us to stretch our sponsorship, grant, and donation dollars to reach youth who might not have access to similar opportunities.
If contributing isn’t possible for your family, that’s okay—the program is completely free. Our goal is to ensure that every youth has the chance to experience supportive coaching and mentorship. We also believe that the best teams, programs, and communities are built when people from different backgrounds come together and support one another.
Need help? Email: support@freeplayforkids.com
Free to Play Program Expenses Per School
School Site Contact
For more information, reach out to the correct Regional Manager:
North Region: Abbott, Belmont, Homesteader, Ivor Dent, Overlanders, Sifton.
Please contact Azzaya: azzaya.khan@freeplayforkids.com
Central Region: Balwin, Delton, John A. McDougall, Lauderdale, Mee-Yah-Noh, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Gerard
Please contact Esther: esther.kapinga@freeplayforkids.com
South Region: Ermineskin (Maskwacis), Frere Antoine, Grace Martin, Lee Ridge, Malcolm Tweddle, McKee, Nipisihkopahk (Maskwacis), St. Elizabeth, St. Martin.
Please contact Lucas: lucas.alves@freeplayforkids.com
West Region: Calder, Callingwood, Lynnwood, Our Lady of Peace, St. Pius X, Thorncliffe.
Please contact Jaja: jaja.reyes@freeplayforkids.com
Frequently Asked Questions
My child(ren)’s school is not listed as one of the schools, can I still register?
No, sorry. We are only accepting registrations for students in the school list above.When I register is my child automatically accepted?
No, filling out the registration form is Step 1. A Free Play staff member will reach out to the registered parent/guardian to confirm the child’s registration.When does the program start and end?
The Program starts in September and ends in June. Please note, that we will not have programming on holidays and teacher professional development days. We use this time to give our staff a chance to catch up and also do professional development.What time do I pick up my child each day?
Parents are able to pick-up their children at 5:00pm. Coaches will not wait beyond 5:00 pm.Can I come to watch my child play?
Parents/Guardians will be invited to come to watch their children play in our weekly tournaments!Do you have any summer programming?
Yes we do! Find more info on our summer camps.
Have more questions? Please contact us!