Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation has released a new short documentary titled “Building Joy: A Movement to Reimagine Oakland’s Schoolyards.” The film is the second in the foundation’s series focusing on its collaboration with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to improve school environments for students.
The documentary highlights efforts to transform underused schoolyards in Oakland into spaces that support learning, physical activity, creativity, and community connection. Through interviews with Stephen and Ayesha Curry, students, educators, and partners from OUSD and KABOOM!, the film presents the ongoing movement to create inclusive play areas.
According to the foundation, many schoolyards in Oakland have traditionally been overlooked, often consisting of large asphalt surfaces with limited opportunities for play or exploration. The documentary aims to shift perspectives by showing how redesigned schoolyards can serve as important learning environments and support student well-being through thoughtful design and community input.
“This film is about more than playgrounds, it’s about what happens when we truly listen to kids and build spaces that reflect their joy, creativity and potential,” said Stephen and Ayesha Curry. “When schoolyards are designed with students at the center, they become places where confidence grows, friendships form and learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. We’re proud of what this movement has become and grateful to the community partners and educators building it with us.”
Eat. Learn. Play.’s partnership with OUSD and national nonprofit KABOOM! focuses on making schoolyards centers for physical activity, social-emotional development, and community engagement during both school hours and after-school periods. The documentary explores how these collaborative projects have impacted local schools.
“Building Joy captures the heart of why this work matters,” said Chris Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. “Schoolyards are some of the most democratic spaces in our communities, yet too often they’ve been overlooked. By investing in joyful, inclusive environments for play and learning, we’re investing in kids’ health, confidence and long-term success—and in the strength of Oakland’s neighborhoods.”
Dr. Denise Saddler, Superintendent of OUSD, commented on the importance of these initiatives: “As is so clear in this wonderful documentary, our schoolyards are extensions of the classroom and vital spaces for connection, movement and learning,” she said. “Building Joy shows what’s possible when school districts, nonprofits, families and students come together with a shared vision. We are eternally grateful to Eat. Learn. Play. and KABOOM! for their continued partnership and commitment to creating environments where Oakland students can truly thrive.”
Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, added: “Building Joy is a powerful reminder that schoolyards are places where kids discover who they are and what’s possible,” she said.“When we partner with kids and their communities to create joyful, inclusive playspaces, we’re not just redesigning schoolyards, we’re changing the conditions that limit kids’ access to nature and play, nurturing belonging, and ensuring every child has what they need to grow, learn, and thrive.”
The foundation encourages viewers inspired by Building Joy to support future projects through funding or volunteering efforts.
“Building Joy: A Movement to Reimagine Oakland’s Schoolyards” is now available online via www.eatlearnplay.org or through Eat. Learn. Play.’s YouTube channel.
