Playhouse Pals at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego: Purposeful Play for Children with Down Syndrome

At GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, we believe that every child has incredible potential waiting to shine—and Playhouse Pals is designed to help light that spark. Tailored specifically for children with Down syndrome ages 5 to 8, Playhouse Pals is more than just a monthly program—it’s a foundational experience for developing crucial life skills through fun, friendship, and purposeful play.

What Is Playhouse Pals?

Playhouse Pals is a free, therapeutic program that supports the development of social skills, communication, gross and fine motor skills, and self-help skills—all through engaging games, movement, and peer-to-peer interaction. Each session is thoughtfully structured to promote language growth and social confidence in a casual and encouraging environment.

Participants aren’t just learning—they’re thriving, forming friendships, setting goals, practicing routines, and building the confidence that will empower them for years to come. For many children, Playhouse Pals is a vital space where they can interact with peers in a way that’s joyful, motivating, and tailored to their unique learning style.

Why Playhouse Pals Matters

Children with Down syndrome benefit from multi-sensory, consistent learning environments that emphasize routine, visual learning, and social interaction. Research shows that targeted programming like Playhouse Pals plays a critical role in helping children:

• Improve expressive and receptive language skills
• Practice gross motor coordination through active play
• Build fine motor skills and self-care independence
• Develop essential social-emotional learning by interacting with peers

Each Playhouse Pals session is structured with intentional, educational activities that provide therapy in disguise—designed by experts and delivered with love by our trained volunteers.

But the benefits don’t stop with the children.

Building Stronger Families and Stronger Futures

At GiGi’s Playhouse, our programs embrace the entire family. Playhouse Pals gives parents and caregivers a space to connect, share ideas, and support one another on the journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. By participating in sessions, families build community, confidence, and a strong foundation of high expectations for their child’s future.

Our mission is to empower families to see what’s possible, even when the path is uncertain. Many parents face the diagnosis of Down syndrome with fear and questions—GiGi’s Playhouse provides hope, support, and the tools to help their child thrive.

See the Joy in Action

Playhouse Pals is held monthly at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, and we’d love to welcome your family. Come experience the magic of purposeful play and watch your child grow with confidence, one joyful step at a time.

If you have a loved one with Down syndrome who could benefit from Playhouse Pals or any of our purposeful programs, we invite you to visit our calendar to register for the next session or schedule a tour of GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego. We’d love to welcome you!

Donor Support Makes Programs Like This Possible

GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego is 98% volunteer-run and funded entirely through donations and grants. Programs like Playhouse Pals are offered completely free to families, but they’re not free to run. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide life-changing programs that empower children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential.

Want to help us keep Playhouse Pals thriving? Click here to donate and support our mission.

Every child deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported. At GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, Playhouse Pals is one of the many ways we’re making that vision a reality—one smile, one step, and one high-five at a time.