We Are PLAYSTRUCK
We design playtools and experiences that help people reconnect with their natural creativity and resilience: at work, at school, at home, and in their communities. Rooted in neuroscience and the human experience, our approach turns play into meaningful growth for people, teams, and communities. So we can all play well. For life.
For PLAYSTRUCK’s Founders, Play is Personal
Early in 2023, we (Christina Kaputsos-Zieklinski and Sandra Diana Cantú) found ourselves at a career crossroads while navigating the beautiful chaos of raising young children. We were left reeling from the upheaval to our daily lives. But in that moment, we realized something essential had been missing: play and the power it brings. The power of play to create, connect, and heal.
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We looked around and saw this lack everywhere: in classrooms where curiosity was sidelined by curriculum, workplaces where burnout overshadowed creativity, and in the quiet moments when so many of us feel disconnected from our passions, our potential, and our people.
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That’s why we built PLAYSTRUCK. With 40+ years combined experience leading teams, advising organizations, and coaching across Innovation, EdTech, Education, Wellness and Entertainment, we design tools and experiences that help people reconnect, rebuild, and rediscover.
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From our award-winning cognitive playtool The Doodle Challenge™ to transformative team experiences, everything we create blends psychology, design thinking, and the science of play. We’re here to tap into hidden strengths, turn creativity into a daily practice, and find connection in a disconnected world.
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As a bi-coastal, women- and minority-owned studio, we’re committed to building futures where play isn’t just for - it's for everyone. It’s a pathway to wellbeing, belonging, and becoming more fully ourselves.
Because play isn’t just fun. It’s how we heal, grow, and thrive. Together.
So let’s play.
—Christina & Sandra
Working With and For The Best
Alumni of the world’s most innovative places and spaces.
A collective 40+ years shaping experiences at top-tier organizations.
The Founders
Our Core Team
From PhDs to PR, Partnerships to Product Design and so much more, PLAYSTRUCK‘s team of
multi-hyphanate powerhouses transforms play into multi-modal experiences and products for your wellbeing. We also have additional partners across cognitive science and creative development to ensure everything we build is as purposeful as it is playful.
#playwellforlife
Why “Play”?
Play is Survival
Play isn’t an escape from reality, it’s how we practice being human. In times of uncertainty, play becomes our most vital tool for adaptation, connection, and growth. It’s the foundation where true learning begins and healing takes root.
Creativity Confidence is Essential
In a world of constant change, believing in your own creative voice isn't just nice, it's vital. Our playtools help people of all ages trust their ideas, solve unexpected problems, and discover that they are, in fact, creative.
The Future Is Multihyphenate
The next generations won’t just have careers, they’ll invent them! We design experiences that help people weave their passions, skills, and stories into work that matters, because the future rewards those who can’t be put in boxes.
Connection Starts with Play
From a simple doodle shared between strangers to collaborative moments that build trust, everything we create is designed to spark empathy, courage, and the kind of community that makes us all feel seen.
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The world doesn’t just need more players; it needs people who know how to play well.
Our Methodology
The Well Played Framework™:
Play Well at Any Age
Behind every PLAYSTRUCK experience lies the Well Played Framework™: a research-backed system for all ages that builds resilience, creativity, and connection through intentional play.
For kids, it develops foundational skills. Adults reignite innate creativity to combat burnout and spark innovation. Teams and organizations can use it to foster mental wellbeing and collaborative problem-solving.
This isn’t just play. It’s living well by playing well.
Where We Play
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Rochester, NY
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Los Angeles, CA
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Globally
Though we’re rooted in two coasts, our team collaborates across time zones to design play that transcends borders, reaching classrooms, boardrooms, and living rooms worldwide.
Why Remote Works for Play:
We’ve built a culture where creativity thrives on trust, flexibility, and the belief that brilliant ideas can spark anywhere, from home offices to coffee shops to (occasionally) beachside brainstorming sessions.
Let’s Build Something Meaningful
Whether you’re a…
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School bringing play-based learning into classrooms
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Company seeking innovative team experiences
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Hospital or care facility using play to support wellbeing and healing
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Organization passionate about creative empowerment and stress reduction
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Individual looking to reconnect with curiosity and untapped potential
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…we harness our proprietary research and reports to design custom solutions and partnerships as unique as your goals. The conversation starts here. Let’s create meaningful connection through play.