Children engaged in Active Discovery activities

About Active Discovery

Quality curriculum that gets kids excited about learning, moving, and connecting.

How We Work

By supporting after-school staff, mentors, parents, and care-givers, we ensure kids have the opportunity to get moving and explore their passions through meaningful activities.

See Our Impact in Action

Our Proven Formula

Created by a former college coach, and guided by experts in educational curriculum development, the true power of these kits lies in their winning formula: active bodies, curious minds, and meaningful relationships. The elements of our kits are curated and designed using a model of curriculum development called "integrated curriculum" to ensure that there is continuity across the activities and lessons have a chance to marinate as kids explore the entire kit.

Active Bodies

Movement-based activities that get kids moving and build healthy habits through play.

Curious Minds

STEAM, art, nature, and life skills activities that spark curiosity and critical thinking.

Meaningful Relationships

Conversation cards and collaborative activities that strengthen family bonds.

Who Is Active Discovery For?

Our kits certainly fill a gap for children from economically disenfranchised communities, but they are an incredible resource for children from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Designed for afterschool enrichment programs, shared family experiences, and even reintegration efforts in military and prison settings, our kits help build bonds and create meaningful shared experiences.

Title 1 Schools

Boys & Girls Clubs

YMCAs

Private Afterschool Programs

Public Afterschool Programs

Private Camp Providers

Public Camp Providers

Parents Night Out

Homeschool Groups

Prison Visitation Programs

Military Programs

Service Groups

Busy Families

Mentor Programs

Scouts

Emergency Support

The Multiplier Effect

For every kit given, on average an extra four people use the kit. So 1 child = 5 touchpoints, creating ripple effects throughout entire communities.

1
Kit
5
People Impacted
Possibilities

Our Story

Mary Ann Sprague-Denison, founder

Active Discovery began with a simple observation by our founder, Mary Ann Sprague-Denison: too many children lack access to the formative experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and connection.

After years of working with children in underserved communities, Mary Ann saw firsthand how limited access to enriching activities created an opportunity gap that followed children throughout their lives.

"Every child deserves the chance to move, to wonder, to connect—these fundamental experiences shape who we become. When we provide equitable access to these opportunities, we change trajectories." — Mary Ann Sprague-Denison, Founder

In 2021, Mary Ann launched Active Discovery with a mission to close this opportunity gap by creating activity kits that could be distributed through existing community organizations, maximizing impact while minimizing barriers.

See the Results Your Kids Will Experience

Give your participants active learning experiences that build confidence and skills.

38,000+

Kits Distributed to Children

100+

Communities Served Globally

Of All Revenue Supports Underserved Communities

Get Involved

Ready to get involved? Choose how you'd like to support our mission and help transform children's lives.

Make a Donation

$30 supports one child receiving a kit.

  • Direct impact on underserved children
  • Tax-deductible and secure
  • Immediate impact reporting
Donate Now

Purchase Kits and Products

directly funds our mission to get these same life-changing kits into the hands of underserved children across the country.

  • Every purchase supports underserved kids
  • Ready-to-implement activities
  • Comprehensive support materials
Shop Now

Volunteer Your Time

Join our community of volunteers and help create meaningful experiences for children in your area.

  • Kit assembly and distribution
  • Community event support
  • Flexible time commitments
Start Volunteering

Share Our Mission

Help us reach more families by sharing what we do. Every share helps connect children with opportunities to learn and grow.

Testimonials

See what people are saying about Active Discovery...

What People are Saying

Hear from the families, educators, and partners whose lives have been transformed by Active Discovery's hands-on learning experiences.

They were happy and super tired afterwards.

"Wow the kids loved the Art & Agility kits. I wasn’t sure how the full range of ages would respond to the Pointillism education and projects, but 15 minutes into the first session - they were into it! Everyone was quietly working - it was almost magical seeing them escape into art and be so peaceful. Their finished pictures were amazing too! The agility grids were cool - we played sprinting Tic Tac Toe, and then did lots of different movement patterns - everyone was happy and super tired afterwards. Thank you for coming up with such great kits. The staff and the kids look forward to them."

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Boys & Girls Club testimonial

Boys & Girls Club

After School Development Director

Love these kits!

"These kits can be used over and over again, encouraging regular activity. It was certainly eye opening for many children because it provided an opportunity and access to something new for them."

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YMCA

After School Program Leader

Before long the mom walked back to school with a wagon and told us that everyone in the neighborhood wanted a box!

"On the day the Active Discovery Kits were given out, one family went home and started playing with the items in it and the Activity Book, and before long the mom walked back to school with a wagon and told us that everyone in the neighborhood wanted a box --would it be possible? Of course we sent her on her way with a wagon full of boxes."

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Title 1 School testimonial

Title 1 School

Principal

We love the fact that we are able to reach our bilingual parents! Thank you!

"We want to give a special shout out to Active Discovery for partnering with us this year and bringing our youth these awesome Active Discovery Kits. We love the fact that we are able to reach our bilingual parents! Thank you!"

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YMCA testimonial

YMCA

Director

You reinforce [our] determination with your generosity of giving and kindness.

"Thank you for your wonderful gift of Active Discovery Kits with computer coding activities, active play toys, and bilingual Activity Books. Our resolve to help reduce the gaps in the education of children experiencing homelessness is stronger than ever and you reinforce that determination with your generosity of giving and kindness."

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School on Wheels

Director

The soccer balls that came in the kits this summer were awesome and the kids loved them.

"Soccer is a HUGE deal at our Club. The soccer balls that came in the kits this summer were awesome and the kids loved them. Even though soccer is popular, many of the kids here don't own their own soccer ball so having one in their bag for them to keep was amazing. That will always be the first soccer ball they got to call their own and it came from you guys!"

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Boys & Girls Club testimonial

Boys & Girls Club

Kids Athletic Director

So impressed!

"We are so impressed with the high level of rich content in each kit! The program is so well done and visually beautiful. "

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Homeschool Family

The kids loved this program!

"The Adventure Club Game was a neat interactive activity which exposed our members to cities around the US while being engaged in physical movement as part of our healthy living initiative. The kids loved this program which allowed them to use technology and their phones with the QR codes as they reached certain destinations. We incorporated this activity into our weekly Triple Play program which encourages development of the mind, body and soul."

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Boys & Girls Club testimonial

Boys & Girls Club

CEO

Active Discovery really thought of everything with these.

"The Active Discovery kits are amazing! We have been enjoying the Go & Grow since our child brought it home. The kids and I are having fun the activity cards and conversation prompts! Active Discovery really thought of everything with these. My mom was visiting when we’re using the kit and she was blown away with the depth of rich content. She was an ESL instructor in the California valley so she especially loved the Spanish translations offered."

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Homeschool Parent testimonial

Homeschool Parent

Colorado

We are very appreciative of Active Discovery's incredible generosity!

"I want to thank Active Discovery, for supporting children in poverty at Denver Housing Authority (DHA)! They sent 1500 Active Discovery Kits for children in public housing that included a soccer ball, bilingual soccer activity videos, a kite, sidewalk chalk, a frisbee, a sling sack, and a bilingual Activity Book! They also gave five Discovery Club games and provided relevant training in a few of our neighborhoods! We are very appreciative of this incredible generosity!"

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Renee Nicolosi testimonial

Renee Nicolosi

Director, Resident & Community Services at Denver Housing Authority Denver, CO

The bilingual Active Discovery Kits were a big hit!

"Thank you for all of your support this year! The bilingual Active Discovery Kits were a big hit. Students were overjoyed to use them and even more excited to take them home."

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Title 1 School

Principal

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're looking for kits that engage kids or want to support our mission, we're here to help create meaningful experiences for children.

Our Purpose

Active Discovery is dedicated to empowering children through equitable access to hands-on experiences that foster physical activity, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. Founded in 2021 by Mary Ann Sprague-Denison, we've distributed over 38,000+ activity kits to children in underserved communities, providing tools that encourage movement, spark wonder, and build connections.

Our approach is simple but powerful: we create engaging kits filled with resources that inspire children to move, discover, and connect. By partnering with out-of-school programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and summer camps, we reach children where they need it most, creating opportunities for growth that extend beyond the classroom.

Get In Touch

Ready to learn more about our programs or discuss partnership opportunities? Reach out to our team today.

Send Us a Message