Requirements & Guidelines
Playroom membership registration is open exclusively to residents of 10 Akron, Soldiers Field Park (SFP), One Western Avenue (OWA), and Peabody Terrace (PT) for the respective playrooms within their properties. Registration is available to those with active HUH leases, with new residents eligible to register starting the Monday after their lease begins. *Please note that HUH subletters are not eligible for playroom membership.
To ensure an enjoyable and safe environment for all registered members, there are requirements and expectations for playroom membership, including cleaning responsibilities.
- Please review our Playroom Policy Handbook to determine if playroom membership suits your needs and if you are able to meet these requirements.
Playroom Usage
- Families are required to use their assigned playroom for no more than two hours per day to ensure all members have a chance to use the space without exceeding room capacities:
- 10 Akron/OWA: 15 people maximum
- PT/SFP: 30 people maximum
- The playrooms are not daycare centers. Professional supervision and facilities for long-term childcare is not provided.
- Playrooms are designed for interactive play and parental bonding; organized babysitting and unsupervised children are not permitted.
Registration
Membership Fee & Duration
- Playroom registration is membership-based and costs $35 per term.
- Registration for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer sessions occurs on a rolling basis and is subject to membership capacities.
- Eligible Harvard affiliate active leaseholders will receive an application form via their email associated with Harvard University Housing. Registration will open on the respective dates listed on this page.
How to Apply
Please review the information provided on this page to ensure you complete all steps for successful membership when the application opens and to understand the next steps for access.
The application form link is emailed to residents of playroom properties the day before it opens and is available below. It will open on the date and time listed under the 'Seasonal Deadlines & Closures' section.
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Review Playroom Policies: Review the Playroom Policy Handbook to ensure you can accept the responsibilities of membership.
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Complete Registration & Payment: Submit your registration and pay the $35 term fee.
- First time using the Graduate Commons Payment/Registration System? Follow our instructional guide. If you have any issues, please email graduatecommons@harvard.edu.
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Sign Up for Clean-Up Responsibilities:
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Collective Clean-Up: Participate in a two-hour session where parents clean all toys, surfaces, and furniture. Each member must join at least one scheduled collective clean-up.
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Clean-Up Week: Each member is responsible for tidying the playroom daily for one week during the semester.
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Attend Orientation: Sign up and attend a playroom orientation session. Returning members attend a shortened orientation.
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Membership Access: Access is granted 24-48 hours after orientation, provided all required steps of the application have been completed and accurate HUID or temporary access card information is given.
Seasonal Deadlines & Closures
In line with University closures, all playrooms will be closed on:
- Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28th, 2024)
- Friday after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 29th, 2024)
- December 23rd - January 8th (Winter Break)
Spring 2025
- Registration for RETURNING MEMBERS Opens: Wednesday, December 11th, 2024
Applications and instructions will be emailed to all current members in good standing. - Registration for NEW MEMBERS Opens: Monday, January 6th, 2025
Applications and instructions will be sent to all eligible Harvard University Housing residents. - Session Start Date: Thursday, January 9th, 2025
Card access to the playroom begins for all registered members who have completed all registration steps. - Session End Date: Monday, June 30th, 2025
Last day the playrooms will be open for the Spring session.
Fall/Winter 2025
- Registration Dates: TO BE ANNOUNCED IN SPRING 2025
Details about registration and playroom access for Fall/Winter 2025 will be shared in Spring 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find instructions for creating an account here. If you encounter any issues, please email graduatecommons@harvard.edu.
To ensure access to the playroom, all membership steps must be completed for NEW and RETURNING members:
- Payment & Registration: Ensure your membership fee is paid and registration is complete.
- Weekly & Collective Cleanup Session Sign-Ups: Sign up for your required cleanup sessions.
- Orientation Attendance: Attend the mandatory orientation session.
If you did not provide an HUID number or Temporary Access Card number during your registration, or if you did not have it at the time, please reach out to your Playroom Manager to provide this information. Failure to do so will delay card access. This includes returning members.
Each year, the playroom will be closed for a few weeks during the summer and winter break for maintenance. There may be additional cleanings or maintenance scheduled through the year based on the discretion of our program. Communications and notices will be sent to your playroom membership email.
Access to the playrooms can only be granted to registered members and the Authorized Occupants on their HUH lease.
Anyone whom you wish to grant playroom access to must be listed as an Authorized Occupant on your HUH lease to obtain a Family HUID. This process is handled by the Harvard ID Office. Additionally, all members, including authorized occupants, must attend an orientation session as any member would.
- If you want to add an Authorized Occupant to your HUH lease after signing it, you must contact the Leasing Office to complete and submit an Authorized Occupant Form.
- You can learn more about HUH Authorized Occupants under the Applicants with Family section on our leasing pages.
- Only registered playroom members are allowed to bring a guest and their child(ren), with the requirement that they accompany them at all times.
- As a reminder: HUH playrooms are membership-based spaces, not drop-in areas, and require completing registration steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all members.
HUH playrooms are membership-based play space and not available for rent, reservation, or use for large gatherings.
- However, our properties with playrooms also have property common rooms that can be reserved for a fee.
- For additional details, requirements, and the reservation system, please our Common Rooms & Reservations page.
Please follow our instructions for creating an account. If you encounter any issues, please email graduatecommons@harvard.edu.
Questions? Contact us!
To check the status of your registration, request accommodations, or inquire with any additional questions, please email us at gcp.playrooms@gmail.com with your playroom property in the subject line (10 Akron, PT, OWA, SFP).