KaBOOM! Basics

Celebrating 12 years of success in 2008, KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. KaBOOM! was founded in 1996 by Darell Hammond and Dawn Hutchison in Washington, D.C. KaBOOM! has used our innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct over 1,400 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including this website and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, Atlanta and San Mateo.

May 5, 2008 - Architect David Rockwell & KaBOOM! collaborate on new generation of "free play" spaces to be built across the U.S.

Apr. 9, 2008 - The Home Depot and KaBOOM! Celebrate 1,000th Playspace

Apr. 8, 2008 - NBA Star Antawn Jamison Announces Multi-Faceted Partnership with National Non-Profit KaBOOM!

Mar. 13, 2008 - WaMu Announces Partnership with Non-profit KaBOOM! to Build Playgrounds in Ten Cities in 2008

Jan. 8, 2008 - National Non-Profit KaBOOM! Disperses $100,00 in Grants Via Innovative Online Awards Show 

Oct. 11, 2007 - KaBOOM! and America’s Promise Alliance Team Up to Provide a Playground to One Deserving Community

Oct. 9, 2007 - NARSAD to Honor Contributions KaBOOM! has made to America’s Kids with “Children’s Mental Health Award”

Aug. 24, 2007 - KaBOOM! Hosts Design Day for New Playgrounds in Gulf Coast Around Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

June 12, 2007 - What Makes a Great Playground?

May 16, 2007 - KaBOOM! Marks 50th Operation Playground Build

Mar. 20, 2007 - California First Lady Maria Shriver and California Volunteers Launch Effort to Build Community Playspaces That Honor Cesar E. Chavez

Feb. 13, 2007 - A Day of Play in the City: More than 1,500 Volunteers to Build New Playgrounds at Six New Orleans Elementary Schools in One Day

Oct. 12, 2006 - KaBOOM! Introduces the First Nationwide Online Playspace Finder

Oct. 12, 2006 - The Home Depot to Contribute 5% of Themed Gift Cards Sales to KaBOOM! and Other non-profit Partners

Sept. 21, 2006 - KaBOOM! Joins Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to Mark Worldwide Day of Play by Encouraging Kids to Get Active

Sept. 20, 2006 - KaBOOM! Challenge Grant to Raise $1 Million for Gulf Coast Children; Deadline September 25, 2006

Aug. 24, 2006 - KaBOOM!, The Home Depot, and Playspace Systems, Along With Thousands of Gulf Coast Volunteers, To Build 10 Playspaces in Four Days To Mark Hurricane Katrina Anniversary

July 31, 2006 - KaBOOM! and Alliance for Healthier Generation Announce New Partnership to Address Childhood Obesity

June 14, 2006 - KaBOOM! and The Home Depot Win Golden Halo Award

May 11, 2006 - KaBOOM! and PepsiCo Building SmartSpot Playground in Chicago

May 4, 2006 - The Home Depot Announces $57 Million Investment to Support Gulf Coast Rebuilding Efforts

May 2, 2006 - Buy Mom Flowers This Mother’s Day and Give the Gift of Play

Apr. 24, 2006 - Anonymous Mississippi Donor Pledges $500,000 to Build Playgrounds for Children in the Gulf Coast

Mar. 13, 2006 - KaBOOM! Applauds New Initiative to Rescue Recess

Mar. 10, 2006 - KaBOOM! and The Home Depot Announce Partnership with Swing-N-Slide

Mar. 1, 2006 - KaBOOM! Shows Los Angeles How WE Play!

Feb. 27, 2006 - KaBOOM! Earns Excellence Award From CECP

Feb. 21, 2006 - More Than 200 Volunteers From AMC Mortgage Services, The Friendly Center, City of Orange Build New KaBOOM! Playground in Just One Day