Over the past several decades, a substantial library of research has been collected on the exceptional educational value that kids receive from outdoor, free play. What was once thought of as a way for children to wind down before bedtime or blow off steam while at school, is now known to be a key factor in a child's intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. This holds equally true for children with disabilities, whose learning process can sometimes be different depending on the disability, but who have the right to play along with typically-abled children. This article discusses the benefits of providing universally designed playgrounds for all children and demonstrates the many benefits to all. Research has shown play--preferably outdoor, free play--to have a variety of benefits in a child's life. These benefits include social and intellectual learning and physical benefits. All of these benefits are critical to all children and are discussed in greater detail in this article. Before those benefits can be realized, parents and communities must make sure that the play spaces they build are inclusive to all children. This article presents the first of a three-part series that will feature the importance of play for children of all abilities.