Free Play for Kids Inc.
12720 Victoria Trail Edmonton, AB, Canada

Oodle Noodle , you all are the best. Thank you for supporting Free Play kiddos and all these GREAT organizations. #YEGCARES

Superheroes in the making Thank you to Athletics Alberta and their awesome coaches for teaching our kids something new every day! #freeplayforkids #safespaceforkids #athleticsalberta #athletics #FREEathletics #yegkids #yegkidsplay #outofschoolcare #yegchildcare ... Photo credit: Catherine Page

FPTV is baaack starting TODAY! Every Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 - 5:30PM. Learn and practice your skills with us and AWESOME Free Play Coaches! LIVE on Instagram. ... You can watch from any mobile device AND desktop. On Instagram app: @freeplayforkids On Internet browser: instagram.com/freeplayforkids See you soon! #freeplayforkids #afterschool #outofschool #freesoccer #freefootie #freehockey #freebasketball #freefootball #soccerskills #hockeyskills #basketballskills #footballskills #sportsforkids #kidssport #yegkids #yyckids #allkids #onlinepractice #virtualpractice

HIRING: Hockey Coach! Details here: https://bit.ly/3nzEN0n -------------- We are searching for the city’s best hockey coaches for paid positions with Free Play for Kids. If you’re a top-level coach or a top-level player looking to grow into a coaching role, we want you.... As one of our hockey coaches, you will work under the guidance of our technical director to follow practice plans that deliver solid, fun sessions on the fundamentals of hockey and showcase you as a great leader and mentor You will coach 5 days a week (approximately 10-15/hrs per week): Our current coaching format is a combination of online and in-person programming, following COVID-19 safety protocols and industry best practices. In-person programming may include bus supervision as youth are transported from their schools to the rec centre. You will be coaching: A: 3 to 4 times per week youth ages 8 to 12. (Approximately 15-20 youth/session) B: 1 to 2 times per week youth ages 13-18. (Approximately 12-24 youth/session) These youth will not just train to play, but also how to ref and coach. Who we are looking for: You are great with kids, fun, outgoing, and a strong leader. You are reliable, loyal, hard-working and look for the best interest of the kids you coach You love sport and understand its power as a tool for social good You hold valid certifications in coaching hockey You hold a valid driver’s license with no at-fault accidents and are able to help transport athletes using provided vehicles if needed You hold your Standard First Aid and CPR certifications You represent the community Free Play serves & will be an ambassador for our program Ideal candidates have a degree in education, social work or childhood development. Email your resume to: [email protected] SEE YOU SOON

...... www.freeplayforkids.com/jobs ... ... #yegjobs #edmontonjobs #freeplayforkids #projectmanager #operationsmanager #edmontonwork #yegwork #edmontonjobs

HELLO Teachers & Principles! Are you hosting an online or in-school gym class? Let us help you Free Play Coaches can run a virtual 'in-classroom' session for your kiddos. ... You can choose the time and day of the week that works best within your classroom schedule. You can decide whether to do it weekly or bi-weekly or just once. No sports equipment necessary. Sign up your class today! Currently accepting Grade 3,4,5,6 classes. www.freeplayforkids.com/in-class #yegteachers #ecsb #epsb #yegschool #yegkids #freeplayforkids #virtualgymclass #gymclassideas

Tim and Ruke were preparing for the Spring Program at Free Footie that helps 2,000 kids play sport for free when suddenly everything came to a halt. With the CO...VID-19 lockdown announced, they knew the immense impact that this pandemic would have on the kids and families at Free Play for Kids Inc. Many of these families relied on school food programs and out-of-school care to best provide for themselves and their children. Ruke and Tim couldn't just sit and watch and so four days later, the Free Food Program began. They reached out to the families, bought groceries, packed food hampers, and arranged delivery routes. That week - 60 families received food. They knew they needed more help and Diana, a Support Coach, soon joined the team. Five months later, they are feeding 240 families a week. They plan to continue and integrate the food program with the after-school kids program educating kids on nutrition, cooking and how to eat healthy. Tim, Ruke, and Diana's hard work landed them a nomination at last year's National Philanthropy Day. Thanks for everything you do to make the community a better place!

Join us in-person! Practices focus on physical literacy, specific sport skills and social, emotional and mental health skills. FREE, SAFE, ACTIVE & FUN. All children will recieve: ... >weekly practices/games >transportation from school to the playing centres. >transportation back to school from playing centres. >a brand new jersey and shorts to keep. >equipment to play with. >>>> positive mentors AND and experienced coaches. www.freeplayforkids.com/register #yegkids #freeplay #safechildcare #yegchildcare #outofschoolcare #yegschool #edmontonchildren #edmontonkids #edmontonchildcare

"How Edmonton's 'Free Play for Kids' didn't give up when COVID threatened closure The impact of parents returning to work with pandemic restrictions still in effect meant that some of Edmonton's children were left without safe supervised spaces to go. See who stepped in and helped." https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1836522563793/... Thank you Canadian Tire Jumpstart for the support to push forward, adapt, pivot and innovate to continuing heping #YEGKIDS. Thank you CBC for the wonderful feature.

Meet Abdullahi, an amazing Youth Leader! Our Youth leaders curate the experience for our kids from picking them up from school to teaching them key social, emotional and mental health skills. *A few weeks ago*, kids learned why listening is so important!! Free Play isn’t about sports, it’s about creating a safe space for kids to play, make mistakes, learn new skills and feel supported. Great job Abdullahi for being awesome!

Great virtual event hosted by @afpedmonton !!! Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s National Philanthropy Day. Beautiful poem by @anothernisha Nisha Patel, Poet Laureate for @cityofedmonton !! For the next 20 weeks, AFP will be sharing stories of donors and volunteers that continue to make positive impact in #YEG, including our very own Free Food Programs team!! #nationalphilanthropyday #philanthropy #yegcares #yeglove #yeggers

Join us Online! Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 PM. Kids can choose to practice soccer, ball hockey, flag football or basketball with our awesome Coaches!... Free, safe, active and fun. Register today >> freeplayforkids.com/register

What does Free Play mean to you?! Yasin knows what it means to him as a Jr. Coach and #YEG Leader. We are proud of you Yasin! ... #YEGyouth #leader #juniorcoach #FREEPLAY

Free Play is ONLINE!! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 4PM, our coaches are online teaching skills!! Kids can pick their favourite sport to practice or try a new sport!! ... To register >> www.freeplayforkids.com/register

Happy Holidays Free Play Friends!! From the Free Play team, we hope your break is full of happiness, laughter and good foods! Our Free Play kids can still access our YouTube library to get active at-home. Learn soccer, basketball and physical movement skills over the break. Check it out >>https://bit.ly/38om5RL... Our Holiday Giving event is continuing! This winter break, we are gifting kids with sports gear, school supplies, healthy foods, sleds and winter gear to keep them active, happy and healthy at home. Donate today >> www.freeplayforkids.com/donate #FREEPLAY #YEGKIDS #YEGCARES #CANADAHELPS

Are these masks FOR US!? We are so proud to announce that we’ve been selected by @CTJumpstart to receive a grant from their Sport Relief Fund!! This will help us adapt and pivot to changing health requirements, so we can always provide safe play for kids - whether in person, outside or online!! #SportReliefFund

Work with us ! freeplayforkids.com/jobs #yeg #yegjobs #edmontonjobs

to our increíble Youth Leaders who ensure the health and safety of each child in our program! Seriously; Our program wouldn’t be where it is without them. SHOUTOUT TO YOU ALL - WE YOU!

Who wants a !? A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful people who have donated to our Holiday Giving campaign. The funds were used to gift our kiddos winter gear, sports gear, school supplies and sleds! Let’s help #yegkids stay happy, healthy and active at home. s./... : @nicklairdvideography #yeg #yeggers #yegcares #canadahelps #charity #nonprofit #socialservice #kidsdeserveit #freeplay #freeplayforkids

This is Ruke She is an incredible leader and a passionate advocate for the Free Play program. Ruke is our Program and Social Operations Manager! She’ll be giving #YEG an update on our programs and how 2020 has challenged us to pivot, innovate and adapt - . If you’d like to support our mission, learn how here: freeplayforkids.com/donate #yeg #yegkids #yegcares #freeplay #canadahelps #yeggers #yegcharity #nonprofit

Holiday Giving Day #1 was awesome!! Thank you to everyone who has donated!! This break, we are asking #yeg to help kids stay happy, active and healthy at-home! We are gifting kids with winter gear, sports gear, sleds and good foods!! Donate Today ./

#sundaySMILES Let’s help kids smile at home by providing tools and resources to keep happy, healthy, and active! This winter break we are gifting kids with sports gear, winter gear, and health foods! Donate Today >> freeplayforkids.con/donate... #freeplay #yegkids #yegcares #liveactive

Big smiles Help us keep kids happy, healthy and active at-home! This winter break we’d like to gift our kiddos with sports gear, winter gear, and good foods. Donate today to help us reach more kids. >> freeplayforkids.com/donate

Help us keep kids active and healthy at-home!! >>freeplayforkids.com/donate $25 buys a child a their own soccer, football, basketball, or hockey stick.... $50 buys a child school supplies and snacks to keep their brains active and healthy. $100 buys a child a sled to fly down the snowy hills and groceries for after. $150 buys a child winter gear (pants, jacket, gloves, hat) to frolick in the snow. $250buys a child the ultimate active package: their own sports equpiment (ball/stick), sled, winter gear and groceries. $500buys a child the ultimate school and sport package: Google Chromebook and school supplies for at-home learning, sports equipment for online Free Play sessions and groceries. #FREEPLAY #YEGKIDS #YEGCARES

Meet Kieran, a former Free Footie player turned Jr. Football Coach!! There may be a video from his Free Footie days.. #FREEPLAY #PathwaytoLeadership #juniorcoach #yegfootball #yegflagfootball

This warms our hearts up.

Hiring! Head to our website to learn more! FREEPLAYFORKIDS.COM/JOBS #yegjobs #yeggers #yegnpo #nonprofit #edmontonjobs

Edmonton Ski Club, THANK YOU SO MUCH! We you! To quote a kiddo: it was so fun to go on the doughnut things down the hill. #donatetoday to our holiday giving event. We are gifting kids with sports gear, winter gear, school supplies and tech so they can stay active and happy at home. >>www.freeplayforkids.com/donate... : Catherine Page #FREEPLAY #YEGskiclub #yeggers #yegkids

YEG Fitness is raising funds for our kiddos!!!! Join in on the 12 days of fitness! Keep your mind and body healthy with great workouts - all while keeping #YEGKIDS happy and healthy!!! It’s seriously a WIN-WIN. #thankyou #yegcares #yegfitness

Staying at home has its own privileges... Some kids don't have the right tools or resources to learn and be active at-home. Donate Today and help us gift kids with sports equipment, school supplies, winter gear and tech!! ... www.freeplayforkids.com/donate See more

We don't think it's a waste of time.... #FREEPLAY

Can you help #yegkids stay active at-home over the holiday break!! Donate to our #holidaygiving event and your generous donation will be used to provide our Junior Leaders and little kiddos with the right resources to get online and stay active at-home. www.freeplayforkids.com/donate... #FREEPLAY #YEGKIDS

What a week! It *flew* by - we had SO MUCH fun this week. We took our programs outside and spent it on the hill @edmontonskiclub ! Our little kiddos went snow tubing and discovered how to challenge themselves. And the Junior Leaders tried snow tubing, skiing and snowboarding!! It was awesome to see these leaders encouraging one another and teaching others. Well done! If you want to help our kiddos, donate to our Holiday Giving event: freeplayforkids.com/donate... We are raising funds to gift kiddos with food, school supplies, sports equipment, sleds, winter gear and chromebooks! Lets equip #yegkids with tools and resources to help learn and play at-home. #freeplay #yeg #yegcares #canadahelps #holidaygiving

We are HIRING !!! 1. Jr. Accountant/Bookkeeper 2. Operations Manager www.freeplayforkids.com/jobs

You know it's offical when..... Free Play for Kids is now on the Canada Helps Charity site! You have the choice to donate here or on our website!

WHO HAD FUN TODAY !! Thank you @edmontonskiclub for hosting us. The kids has a blast!!! If you haven’t visited them, you should do it. Snow tubing was awesome! Great park and GREAT people! #supportlocal #yeglocal #yegbjz #yeggers #edmontonskiclub

#YEGKIDS NEED US MORE THAN EVER! With the holiday break approaching and the 'extension' of at-home learning, many,many kids need our help! Donate today and gi...ft kids with: > a soccer BALL, basketball, football, hockey stick to continue playing at-home. > SCHOOL SUPPLIES to actively learn. > FOOD to keep their brains and bodies healthy. > WINTER GEAR to frolick in the snow. > CHROMEBOOKS for at-home school and Free Play Online! www.freeplayforkids.com/donate #givingtuesday #yegcares #canadahelps #freeplay #athomelearning #yegschool #yegsport #yegsoccer #yeghockey #yegfootball #yegbasketball

if you an old laptop, donate it! Read below how. If you ’ one but you want to still help. Donate to our Holiday Giving event to help us purchase Chromebooks, school supplies and sports equipment to keep kids happy and healthy at home! freeplayforkids.com/donate

HUGE NEWS In all this mayhem, we received GREAT news; Free Play received their charitable status!!!!!!!!!! We are officially a registered charity. Just in time for the holidays . Stay tuned for our holiday event ! Did we mention that EVERY. ONE. who has donated this year gets a tax receipt?? Stay tuned for that too. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and helped us get to where we are! ... Thanks @canada for approving. See more

Back Online Tomorrow! Every day our Youth Leaders like Jee and Coaches are online playing fun and interactive games. Kids learn physical, social and mental health skills. #yegkids #freeplay

Free Play isn’t a mere pastime for children It allows them to create and express themselves! While playing, children explore, learn about themselves and discover the world around them. They’re given tools to develop their physical, social and mental health skills. To grow into happy, healthy humans. #FREEPLAY... #safespace #yegkids #yegcares See more

RT: @timadamsff THIS IS REAL. I have personally taken kids from violent homes to shelters during COVID. What’s needed for youth RIGHT NOW: 1. Safe space with A+ screening & tracking... 2. Safe transport 3. Solid programs 4. School + govt help for youth to attend. 5. Access to health & #yegkids #safespace @youralberta

No sports - no problem. We are still here providing a safe and positive space for our little kids and junior leaders. This past week, kids did mental work, watched a movie, learned nutrition and built igloos. Sports is one thing we know, but safe spaces is what we specialize in. #yegkids #safespace #freeplay

Tuesday Thank You’s Thank you Canadian Tire Jumpstart for supporting our mission to helping kids. Thank you Edmonton Transit Service - ETS for your commitment to helping kids that need us. Thank you Kahunaverse Sports Group for keeping our kids smiling with fresh gear. Thank you Black & Whyte Screenprinting for the awesome service and logo printing. (Seriously....everyone should buy from them!) ... Thank you to the amazing people who continue educating and demonstrating respect for diversity. #blm Thank you Ed Jay and co. for joining together and sponsoring The Baby Yodas. 15 kids can play for free! Thank you to all our fans and supporters who continue working hard and giving back. We are a team, let’s create change! #yeg #yegkids #freeplay #yeggers #yeglocal #yegyouthconnect #yegyouth #jumpstart

Friends & Football https://youtu.be/mV_SRFoBQk4

Goal of the week!!! @lauderdaleepsb kids joined us on Monday for 1st day of Free Footie!!! We had a blast scoring goals and defending Coaches and Youth Workers.

The Lee Ridge Wild Cats are BACK!! Sponsored by @laurasinclair in loving memory of her friend and former Lee Ridge teacher, Sara Nielsen. December 30th would bring a heartbreaking turn of events; as Nielsen had passed away unexpectedly. The devastating news spurred Laura Sinclair to do something to remember Nielsen by. ... After giving it some thought, Sinclair decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign, which would crowdfund a sponsorship of the Lee Ridge Free Footie teams in Nielsen’s memory. Sara was so involved with it at Lee Ridge Elementary School... It was the perfect organization to remember her legacy. The Lee Ridge Elementary School teacher had been involved in soccer her whole life, and was eager to join Lee Ridge’s Free Footie team as a coach, a privilege that she enthusiastically carried out for two seasons. I took some time to figure out what I wanted to do to honour her, and honour her legacy... To really connect her passion for teaching with her passion for soccer, and do something that would benefit both of those passions of hers. And that’s how this Free Footie fundraiser campaign came to life. Sinclair also helped design a logo for the newly-dubbed Lee Ridge Wildcats. The logo is an image of a cat sitting on a mountain peak, watching over a mountain range. Sinclair designed it with Nielsen’s love of both cats and the Rocky Mountains in mind.

All this snow has us reminiscing on this week’s Free Ball Play Day!!! We played so many awesome games - where we learned how to start conversations and practice our ball handling skills! Thank you Coaches Cole, Diana and D’Wan for the awesome session!

Free Ball is BACK on the COURT!! Coaches Brandon, Diana, Cole and D’Wan were pumped to have kids back to playing! Students from John A. McDougall practiced their ball handling and dribbling skills plus they learned some key conversation skills. It was AWESOME! Registration is still open! freeplayforkids.com/register... #freeplayforkids #freeplay #yegbasketball #freebasketball #yegkids #yegcares

SO to our amazing Youth Workers who take GREAT care of the kiddos! Every play day, youth workers pick up and drop off kids from school, ride the bus with them, teach social and emotional skills, ensure their health safety and - most importantly - ensure kids have the BEST time! Soon enough, we will introduce every single one of these great humans, stay tuned! #yegyouth #youthworker #yegkids #yegyouthconnect #yeggers #freeplayforkids

The Free Play Youth Workers are working very hard to connect with every family and child that had been accepted into the program. They play a crucial role of ensuring the experience for the child is Safe, Fun and Inclusive! Stay tuned as we show off our crew of Youth Workers. #freeplayforkids #yegyouth #youthworker #socialwork #rolemodel #mentor #yeggers #yegkids #yegcares

Reminder: Free Play is ONLINE on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 - 5:00 PM ! Register to participate : www.freeplayforkids.com/register Select: "Register for Online Only" ... See you at 4 PM!

Your bus has arrived On play days, kids will get free bussing to and from the playing centres. They’ll be led by our awesome Youth Workers! Private bussing provided by @edmontontransit ! Register today >> freeplayforkids.com/register

Overlanders School joined us on Tuesday for the first Football session!!! They learned about throwing, catching, running routes, and how to start a conversation! They also met new friends; Their coaches and youth workers: Tadi, Wyatt, Shaylee, Christian, Chat, Tom, Deshawn and Jada!! Can’t wait for the next one!

We’re back!!! Free Football hit the pitch on Tuesday to deliver the first football session of the year! Registration is still open >> freeplayforkids.com/register

WE HAVE AN ONLINE PROGRAM!!! Kids can choose to practice their favourite sport or try something new! 4 days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 4 sports:... Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Football freeplayforkids.com/register

The Pathway to Leadership Program has started!!! The Football Juniors had their first practice, meeting new teammates and Coaches!! *Jr.High and High School students can still register for the football leadership program! freeplayforkids.com/P2L

Register Today, Online and In-Person! www.freeplayforkids.com/register

Meet the Free Football Coaching Team!! Football is to the year-round program. Kids will play an 8-week season learning flag football from these incredible Coaches! Registration is still open!... www.freeplayforkids.com/register See more

Introducing.. the Free Footie Coaching Team! #FreeFootie is where it all started!! This past summer, our name changed from Free Footie to Free Play for Kids. It was a huge, exciting change. On top of adding more sports, our program curriculm also integrates key social, emotional and mental skill lessons. ... #yegkids #freefootie #freeplayforkids #yegsoccer #kidssport #yegsport

Introducing the Free Basketball Coaches!! Can’t wait to get kiddos back on the court, meeting new friends and learning from these incredible Coaches! Register Today >> freeplayforkids.com/register... #yegkids #freeplayforkids #yegbasketball

Spots OPEN for the Hockey Leadership Program!! Jr. High & High School students will learn how to referee and/or coach hockey! ALSO - every week, they will train and play with highly experienced coaches! Register here >> freeplayforkids.com/pathway-to-leadership

Meet the Free Hockey Coaching Team! Taryn, Hayley, Sadie and Emma are #readytoplay ! They are hosting online sessions Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday! Register today to participate >> ... freeplayforkids.com #yegkids #freehockey #yeghockey #freeplayforkids

"It gave her a goal to focus on doing better in school and being a kind student" 92% of Parents said, their child's confidence improved because of Free Play. Registration is still open for the 2020-21 Free Play Program. *Offering Online & In-Person programming*... www.freeplayforkids.com/register #freeplayforkids #yegkids #yegcares

Love opening gifts from our special friends @ctjumpstart !! Every child will be receiving a fresh new mask when programming starts!!! Thank You! #canadiantire #jumpstart #kidsmasks #freeplay #yegkids #yegfamily

Free Play is ONLINE! While we prepare to get on field, FP is offering online sessions! Register Today >> freeplayforkids.com

Yay! You are welcome! Coach Shervin had lots of fun meeting new Kids and Parents. He really enjoyed seeing Parents play and engage with the kiddos!

Who’s registered for the 2020-21 Program? Learn more >> freeplayforkids.com/register Virtual and In-Person programming available! #yegkids #kidsport #yegsport #kidsinsport

#thankful For all the generous humans who have contributed and supported our mission! Because of you, #yegkids have a safe, belonging place to play at no cost to them or their families. #freeplayforkids #freeplay #yegsport #yegcares

#internationaldayofthegirl International Day of the Girl celebrates the importance, power, and potential of girls around the world. #girlsinsport #freeplayforkids

Have you checked out our YT channel?! Learn key mental health skills from professional athletes and coaches >> https://bit.ly/3ddYLIS We learn about how to ask tough questions, how to keep cool, what to do when you are feeling scared or nervous and recognizing strengths! ... #WorldMentalHealthDay #freeplayforkids