Fun for Everyone!
A Swing for Samara •
A Swing for Samara •
A Picture Book of Possibilities
Inspired by the true story of the students who started Minnesota Play for All, A Swing for Samara celebrates the power of compassion and inclusion and highlights the many ways accessible playground equipment benefits all children. Created in collaboration with Minnesota’s award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Nancy Carlson.
If you ordered a book, please check your email for pick-up times and locations. If you missed your chance to order your copy, we’ll post information on our next book sale later this spring!
Our Story
Minnesota Play for All started with the view out of our classroom window.
Every day, we’d see children playing on the playground. But it dawned on our 5th- and 6th- grade class that all students could not play. The wood chips were a barrier. Equipment was a barrier.
So we wrote a grant, gained momentum, and quickly realized we didn’t want to just stop at a swing. The students asked, “Can’t we do the entire playground?”
With the help of donors, staff, community members, and countless volunteers, our students transformed their dreams into a reality.
In the News
See our fully accessible playground in action!
As featured on WCCO/CBS News Minnesota: Students say they cold-called local businesses, went door-to-door knocking, handed out fliers, and did a coin drive. Their persistence paid off big. Their original goal was to get a swing for $35,000 — but they raised $1 million for an entirely new playground, bringing the teacher who fueled them to tears.
Our NonProfit
Building more inclusive playgrounds and communities
Minnesota Play For All began as a passion project and is now a middle school nonprofit and club for 6th-8th graders committed to fun for everyone.
We want to make sure everyone has fun and is included.
We are committed to educating others about accessible playgrounds!
We are eager to create another accessible playspace here at our middle school.