Play It Forward Air & Motion Discovery Project will give young children the chance to explore one of the most fascinating things they can't even see — air!

Through hands-on Air Toobz and a Wind Tunnel, children will experiment with airflow, movement and flight. They can connect and rearrange tubes, send lightweight objects rushing through them, test what flies or floats in moving air, make predictions, change their designs and try again.

The project is designed around the way young children learn best: through play, curiosity and experimentation. There isn't one “right” way to use the materials. Children can ask their own questions — What happens if I change this? Why did that fly? Can I make it go higher? — and discover the answers themselves.

Beginning in January 2027, Play It Forward Community Fund will use the

The collection will invite children to experiment with air, motion, magnets, light, building, sensory exploration and other simple STEM concepts through open-ended play. Instead of children being told exactly what to do, they will be able to explore, test ideas, build, create and discover what happens.

The materials will be organized in portable bins and activity kits so they can be used again and again through Play It Forward Community Fund programs. Beginning in January 2027, the collection will be used during our Preschool Enrichment visits with local childcare programs, Community Connections programs for children and caregivers, and reduced-cost family play opportunities.

Play It Forward was created to remove financial barriers to play and expand opportunities for children and families in rural central Pennsylvania. This project gives us a tangible, reusable way to bring high-quality discovery experiences to children who may have limited access to children's museums and similar hands-on learning opportunities close to home.

One $1,000 Awesome Foundation grant can turn into hundreds of moments of children wondering, “What happens if I try this?”