Meaningful Play 2026 was a resounding success and it’s because of YOU! More than 300 in-person and online participants from 16 different countries brought their insights and shared passion for exploring how play can transform learning, build connection, and spark creativity.

Serious Fun Anchors 2026 Meaningful Play Conference - Center for Transformational Play - Carnegie Mellon University

More than 300 academics, game designers, educators, and students gathered at Carnegie Mellon University to explore how games and play can change people’s lives.

cmu.edu

We hope everyone had a transformational time at Meaningful Play! We’re so glad so many folks could join us this week in Pittsburgh. If you’ve got one more day in the Steel City, there’s still more fun to be had! Visit: www.cmu.edu/ctp/conferen... and click on “See the Schedule.”

Day 3 of Meaningful Play dawns on the heels of another day packed with curiosity, and connection. We had so many wonderful presenters, including our friends at Fred Rogers Productions, @cooneycenter.bsky.social, and Schell Games. Today promises more thoughtful discussions and playful opportunities.

A great way to start Day 2 of Meaningful Play is to talk about the fun we had last night! Thanks to Pittsburgh Playtest for joining us at the Games Exhibition on CMU’s campus. If you couldn’t make it - great news! The exhibition continues for one more evening at www.cmu.edu/cohon-univer....

A meaningful day at Meaningful Play! We’re grateful to all our presenters for getting us off to a delightful start! For those joining us at the Games Expo, see you in the Rangos Ballroom at Cohon University Center 🔗https://www.cmu.edu/cohon-university-center/

Good morning players! Meaningful Play is underway and we have uncovered your first challenge… find your way into the building!🧭 Mellon Institute is located at the corner of Fifth and South Bellefield Avenue. The current entrance is located at 311 S. Bellefield avenue, across from Heinz Chapel.

We look forward to welcoming you to Meaningful Play TOMORROW! Expect a wealth of playful experiences, including those courtesy of another one of our collaborators: The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. Show your conference credentials and take advantage of complimentary admission. pittsburghkids.org

We have many incredible partners for Meaningful Play and today we’re spotlighting Schell Games - a leader in transformational and educational game design. Their commitment to the power of play shines through in everything they create. Learn more: schellgames.com/blog/schell-...

Registered for Meaningful Play and arriving on or before Oct. 12? Take advantage of a perk for attendees: A limited number of seats are available for “An Evening with Temple Grandin: "Great Minds Are Not The Same" on Mon. Oct. 12 at 6 pm. To request registration, email MeaningfulPlay@andrew.cmu.edu

📅👀ONE WEEK TO GO! The conference starts on Tuesday but if you’re in person in Pittsburgh opportunities for fun begin Oct. 12th. Check out our information page and click on the schedule link under “Play in Pittsburgh” for event registration information. www.cmu.edu/ctp/conferen...

Meaningful Play Early Bird registration ends TOMORROW! The region’s premier conference about games and play is fast approaching, so register before prices increase after Sept. 30. Join us Oct. 13-15 - plus a bonus Day of Play Oct. 16 - in Pittsburgh. Register Here: tinyurl.com/ymxbfhvp

We’re headed to Meaningful Play in Pittsburgh on 10/14 for our workshop: “Sharing the Secret Sauce: Translating Research into Practice with Sesame Workshop & The Joan Ganz Cooney Center.” Learn more and register: bit.ly/4AsSG5v @cmuctp.bsky.social @CarnegieMellon @MichiganStateU

⏰ It’s the final week for Meaningful Play early bird registration! Join us for three days of game research, design, innovation, and education - plus a bonus Day of Play in Pittsburgh. Prices increase 9/30, lock in lower rates today 👉https://tinyurl.com/ymxbfhvp

Happy Birthday Smiley! :-) 🥳 Smiley is turning 44 on Saturday! Sept. 19, 1982 was the day @scsatcmu.bsky.social professor Scott Fahlman first put a few simple keystrokes together and launched the world’s first emoticon. Share a smile of any kind with someone to celebrate!

🎉We’re delighted to announce #KaminScienceCenter and the #ChildrensMuseumofPittsburgh are partnering with us for Meaningful Play! We have an amazing roster of Pittsburgh-area partners offering attendees their own brand of playful experiences. Register 👉 tinyurl.com/ymxbfhvp

It’s not too late to be an early bird for Meaningful Play 2026! 🎮🔥Take advantage of early-bird pricing for the region’s premiere conference on the power of games and play. Join us for three days of research, design, and education - plus a bonus day of play!👉https://tinyurl.com/ymxbfhvp

Help us make Meaningful Play an eight-heart event! Collaborate with us and let’s talk about how your org can support the state of play and joy in Pittsburgh. Learn more:👉 tinyurl.com/3947kuaw #schellgames #SimcoachGames #CodeJoy #remakelearning #SouthFayetteSchoolDistrict

Registration is OPEN for Meaningful Play 2026! 🎮📅 Oct 13–15 + Pittsburgh Play Day on Oct 16. Researchers, designers, devs, educators, students, NGOs - if you make or study games, join us this fall. Lock in your spot today! 👉 Conference Website: tinyurl.com/ymxbfhvp

There is less than a week to go before the submission portal CLOSES for hosted session proposals! Do you have a pitch for... 🧑‍💼 Workshops 🤝 Rountables 🎲 Game Play …or another awesome idea to engage our community? Submit your outline by June 15th! Details and submission info 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

📅🚨 Time is running out to submit your hosted session proposal to Meaningful Play! We’re looking for engaging pitches for workshops, roundtables, game play, and more. If you’ve got an idea that brings people together, share it today! The deadline for proposals is June 15. 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

🎮 Meaningful Play 2026 needs YOU! We’re looking for thoughtful, engaged reviewers to help shape this year’s conference. Reviewers needed for: 📝 Full Papers 📌 Posters 🎮 Games & Prototypes Assignments go out June 1 and reviews are due July 8 - sign up today! Learn More: tinyurl.com/bdzzxkcf

DEADLINE APPROACHING! Games, Lighting Talks, and Poster submissions for the 2026 Meaningful Play Conference are due THIS Friday May 15. Other submission deadlines: * Hosted Sessions: June 15 For conference details and to share your work visit 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

📢 Meaningful Play 2026 Deadline Alert! The deadline to submit Games, Lighting Talk Proposals, and Posters to the October 2026 Meaningful Play conference in Pittsburgh is May 15! Other key dates: Hosted Sessions Deadline: June 15 Don’t miss out! Submit your work today👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

🚨LAST CHANCE🚨 to submit papers to Meaningful Play 2026! The deadline to submit papers to this October’s Meaningful Play conference in Pittsburgh is Wednesday, April 22. Visit the conference website for full details, other deadlines, and to submit your work! 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

📅🚨 One week to go for paper submissions! The deadline to submit papers to this October’s Meaningful Play conference is April 22. Other key submission dates: *Games, Lightning Talks, Posters: May 15 *Hosted Sessions: June 15 Visit the conference website to submit your work! 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

📢 The deadline to submit papers to this October’s Meaningful Play conference has been EXTENDED to April 22! 📢 Other key submission dates: *Games, Lightning Talks, Posters: May 15 *Hosted Sessions: June 15 Visit the conference website for full details and to submit your work! 👉 tinyurl.com/34a53njn

🚨Meaningful Play 2026 submissions are OPEN! 🚨 Meaningful Play is accepting work for this October’s conference. Key submission dates include: *Full Papers: March 31 *Games, Lightning Talks, Posters: May 15 *Hosted Sessions: June 15 Visit the conference website for details and to submit your work!

Meaningful Play 2026

Join Meaningful Play 2026, October 13-15, 2026. Learn more on Fourwaves.

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🎉 Meaningful Play's Bluesky has launched! 🎉 Join us Oct 13-15, 2026 in Pittsburgh! Academics, game designers, and educators: If you make or study games, this is the conference for you! Submission guidelines and registration details will be released soon! Stay tuned…