Waxahachie children design a new path away from screens

The project serves as a tangible response to KABOOM!’s 2026 State of Our Kids Report, which highlights a sharp decline in unstructured physical activity. Rather than framing technology as the enemy, organizers focused on creating an accessible, inclusive space that offers a compelling alternative to digital consumption. By involving local children in the planning process—asking them to sketch their ideal slides and climbing structures—the build reinforced the idea that their voices and physical well-being are community priorities.

More than 200 volunteers from Foresters Financial, PHP Agency, and the local community completed the construction in a single day, working through rain and mud. The resulting playspace features inclusive designs, such as ground-level play areas and an accessible glider, ensuring that children of all abilities can interact face-to-face. This installation marks the 180th partnership between Foresters Financial and KABOOM!, a collaboration that has spanned two decades of addressing play-space inequity. For the families involved, the site stands as a physical reminder that while screens are a fixture of modern life, the necessity for movement and real-world connection remains essential.