About
National Project Play
63 x 30 Initiatve
The U.S. has set a national target for youth sports participation: 63% by the year 2030.
Only 54% of children ages 6-17 in the U.S. played on a team or took lessons in 2022, down from 58% in 2017, according to federal data. The Aspen Institute and Project Play organizations across the country seek to turn the tide.
Launched in 2013 by the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program Project Play develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps build healthy communities through sports.
The Power of Play
Learn more about Project Play and its annual summit, where we assess the nation’s state of play and leaders take next steps in building healthy communities through sport.
The power of play changes everything. It sets our children up for success, it keeps them healthy, it strengthens our communities—and every child should benefit from it.
Parents and leaders from across sectors believe in the power of play to build healthy children and communities. They’re concerned about rising participation fees, high attrition and low physical activity rates, injury risks and a shift away from unstructured play. They also recognize that no one group alone can address these trends.