We Are PLAYSTRUCK
We design playful tools 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 crossroads: laid off from our
then-dream jobs while navigating the beautiful chaos of raising young children. That moment exposed a hard truth: the professional world often dismisses unconventional, multifaceted thinkers, leaving countless people with untapped potential in the dark.
We saw this pattern everywhere: from classrooms that prioritize rote learning over curiosity, to boardrooms that mistake busyness for innovation. So many brilliant minds were stuck, lacking the tools to unlock their full creativity, utilize their entire skill-set, or discover their true passions.
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That’s why we built PLAYSTRUCK. With 40+ years combined experience leading teams, advising organizations, and coaching across EdTech, Education, and Entertainment, we create tools that help people play their way forward.
From our award-winning art therapy game The Doodle Challenge™ to the supercharged hackathons of Hack Like a Hero™, everything we design blends psychology, design thinking, and play science to unearth hidden potential at every age, turn creativity into a practical superpower, and make work and learning feel alive again.
As a bi-coastal, women- and minority-owned studio, we’re committed to building futures where play isn’t frivolous; it’s how we connect to each other, ourselves, and our communities.
Because play isn’t just fun. It’s the future.
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.
PLAYSTRUCK Leadership
Meet PLAYSTRUCK
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 is the New Literacy
In a world of constant change, creative thinking isn’t just useful, it’s essential. Our tools help people develop the confidence to solve unexpected problems, pivot when needed, and reimagine what’s possible.
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.
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The Best Connections Start with Play
From a simple doodle shared between strangers to collaborative missions that build trust, everything we create is designed to spark empathy, courage, and the kind of community that makes us all feel seen.
Because 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 building resilience, creativity, and connection through intentional play. Rooted in developmental science, neuroscience, and cognitive design, this framework cultivates 10 core capacities (like Wonder, Agency, and Emotional Agility) that help people of all ages engage more deeply with their world.
For kids, it develops foundational skills through games and storytelling. 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 looking to bring play-based learning to your classrooms
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Company seeking innovative team experiences
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Organization passionate about creative empowerment
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Individual trying to build something new
…we design custom solutions and partnerships as unique as your goals.
The conversation starts here.