Laugh and Learn Play Dates
Laugh and Learn Play Dates
In-PersonJoin us for a new program year of Laugh + Learn Play Dates, starting October 17th at 9AM! Registration is now open and will remain open throughout the program year. There are four ways to register: Visit grayson.ca.uky.edu | Email grayson.ext@uky.edu | Call or Text (270) 259-3492 | Fill out This Online Form: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDeceDPKL20L4yO
Last Revised: Sep 2nd, 2025
Event Description
2025-2026 Laugh + Learn Play Dates
Dates: October 17th, November 14th, December 12th, January 16th, February 20th, March 20th, and April 17th
Time: 9 am | Location: Grayson County Extension Office
On the second or third Friday of every month, the squeals and laughter of play can be heard echoing down the Extension Office hallways. Follow the sounds to one of our meeting rooms, and a gaggle of littles can be found engaging in what may look like extreme silliness to sensible grown-ups. But beneath the silliness, deep learning and development are taking place.
What you have stumbled upon here is a Laugh + Learn Play Date: An Extension Service program brought to the community in collaboration with the Family Resources and Youth Services Center (FRYSC), the Grayson County Community Early Childhood Council, and Grayson County High School students. Laugh + Learn Play Dates provide a safe environment for children aged 0-5 years old to learn and develop important skills through open play.
Engaging in regular, free play helps children become more prepared for transitioning into school by strengthening their mental and physical development skills. Our own data and observation support these claims. In 2021, 84 families were reached through Laugh + Learn throughout the year, with 84% of those families reporting that their children had put new social-emotional skills into practice and improved gross motor skills. 79% reported improved fine motor skills, and 68% reported improved literacy skills.
To ensure each Play Date provides this kind of enriching experience, the Laugh + Learn program partners have designed a process that supports these goals and outcomes. Each month’s meeting is designed around a different children’s book, which is read at the Play Date. Meeting rooms in the Extension Office are converted into a playground of activity stations relating to themes found in the book. Children who are not old enough to participate in more advanced stations are provided with alternative activities allowing them to engage in age-appropriate play and skill development as well. The GCHS students provide a thematically related activity sheet for parents to take home for continued engagement and learning with their children. After the Play Date, we offer “Grab and Go Kits” for families that did not get to attend the in-person gathering, which include any leftover copies of the book and activity materials so that they can reproduce aspects of the lesson at home.
While Laugh + Learn is primarily an opportunity for children to play and interact with each other, it has also become a place for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to socialize and make new friends, all while learning how to engage and support their children. Turns out even sensible grown-ups need a bit of fun infused into their daily lives.
Join us for a new program year of Laugh + Learn Play Dates, starting October 17th at 9AM! Registration is now open and will remain open throughout the program year. There are four ways to register:
Visit grayson.ca.uky.edu | Email grayson.ext@uky.edu | Call or Text (270) 259-3492 | Fill out This Online Form: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDeceDPKL20L4yO
Sign up today to explore hands-on activities and connect with other families while nurturing your child’s development!
