Watson welcomes ‘Day of Play’


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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Seth George considered who he was going to play catch with next on Sept. 23 during the Watson PTA's National Day of Play event.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The kindergartners in Mrs. Deeley's Watson classroom follow the leader during their Cooseeki game on Sept. 23, the National Day of Play.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Mikayla Yohman (right) prepared to throw the rubber frog to one of her classmates and tried not to laugh during a game of Silent Ball on Sept. 23.

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

A group of Watson PTA volunteers visited the elementary school on Sept. 23 with baskets of goodies in hand. During lunchtime recess, the PTA took each grade away from the playground but aimed to show them that playtime can happen anywhere.

Seven years ago, the Nickelodeon channel created the Worldwide Day of Play and urged health and wellness through active play with kids and families. Across 10 countries and America, the Day of Play is celebrated with more than 3,000 local events.

Watson joined the list of participants on Sept. 23 with play sessions in the kindergarten, first, second and third-grade classrooms.

During the afternoon play date, the PTA helped the students try hide-and-go-seek games, races, four corners and ping-pong. Favorites throughout the school included Cooseeki, a version of follow the leader, and Silent Ball, where the students had to throw a ball to each other and stay completely quiet.

The PTA volunteers welcomed creativity and attempted games they remembered or students brought up.

“With our day of play, we wanted to show that fun doesn’t just have to happen outside. There are lots of inside games that will bring a bit of activity and fun into any day,” said PTA president Jody West.