Summer Play Labs

Small-group, therapist led play sessions designed to build real-life social skills through hands on activities your child will love.

  • Led by licensed speech language pathologists

  • Small, intentional groups

  • Crafts, STEM, and hands-on play

  • Focus on friendship, communication, and flexibility

What Are Play Labs?

Play Labs are 2-hour, therapist-led social groups designed to help children practice real-world social skills in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Each session is built around engaging, hands-on activities—like crafts, science experiments, and creative projects—while therapists actively guide:

  • Communication with peers

  • Turn-taking and sharing

  • Flexibility and problem-solving

  • Building early friendships

Intentional, supported play where learning happens naturally.

Break the Ice
Warm up, settle in, and get comfortable with the group - we'll set expectations and preview the day's activity.
Create & Engage
Hands-on activities create natural opportunities for interaction like sharing materials and ideas, commenting, and asking questions.
Reflect & Build
Wrap up with a reflection, practice sharing opinions, and identify wins and challenges. Opportunity to share ideas for activity improvement.
In the Moment Learning
Our therapist embeds teaching communication, turn-taking, flexibility, and problem-solving with peers throughout the session in natural opportunities. Learning through play is the best way!

Who, What, Where…Everything you need to know

Who Thrives Here

  • Ages 5-9

  • Low behavioral support needs

  • Kids working on social communication skills

What to Expect

  • Hands-on activities

  • Real-time communication and flexibility support

  • Encouragement, coaching, and guided interactions

When & Where

  • Fridays, 2:00-4:00 PM

  • ICAN Lakemont

  • Dates and lab themes released in limited batches

Before You Register

Still not sure? Book a complimentary ICAN summer program consultation here:

  • The investment for each Play Lab session is $250.

    Each Play Lab is a 2-hour, therapist-led experience designed to create meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

  • Play Labs are structured as a group experience and are not billed to insurance.

  • Yes. Families are welcome to register for more than one Play Lab, as long as space is available. Each session will offer new activities and fresh opportunities to practice social communication, flexibility, and peer interaction.

  • Play Labs are offered on select Friday afternoons during the summer. Rather than opening the full summer at once, we release dates in small batches to help ensure groups are well-matched and meaningfully filled.

  • New Play Lab dates will be shared throughout the summer as they become available. This helps us build intentional groups and avoid sessions that are under-enrolled. Families can check back regularly or reach out to programs@i-can.center to be the first to know when new dates open.

  • Play Labs are a great fit for children who are working on interacting with peers, building communication skills, and developing flexibility in group settings.

    If you need help, or want to talk it through with our team, reach out to programs@i-can.center

  • No. Play Labs are open to both current ICAN families and new families in the community.

    If you’re new to ICAN, our team will guide you through a quick and simple registration process.

  • Our goal is to create Play Labs that are engaging, social, and worthwhile for every child. If a session does not have enough enrollment to create a strong group experience, ICAN may adjust, reschedule, or cancel that session. If that happens, we will notify families as soon as possible and share next-step options.