Welcome to Play
The Welcome to Play program helps children, youth and parents who are in the early stages of the resettlement process in Edmonton.
By providing fun, active, and safe learning activities, it provides relief to entire families that are dealing with an incredible amount of trauma and mental health challenges from leaving their home countries, ESL Classes, and paperwork stress.
This program gives kids, youth, and parents a chance to play, make friends, and become comfortable participating in social recreation and sport in Canada.
Fun, active activities for the whole family
Children (6-12 years)
Every day, Free Play staff meet children at their temporary hotels. They board a bus together and head to a recreation centre, library, museum or on an adventure. We play games, do crafts or explore Edmonton.
Youth (12-18 years)
Teenagers also join the daily trips and adventures. They are connected to our Play to Lead program where they learn leadership skills, work with mentor coaches and play a team sport.
Young Adults & Parents
Parents deserve fun physical activities, too! Adults are welcome to join the adventures and then be connected to our adult programming.
If you are a settlement agency within the city of Edmonton and are looking to connect with the Welcome to Play program to provide resources for the newcomers in your agency, please fill out this form and a Welcome to Play staff will reach out to you and connect further.
If you are a newcomer / individual looking to access the Welcome to Play program, please fill this out and a staff from Welcome to Play will be in contact with you shortly.