“Come Out and Play!” — how one football initiative is helping Ukrainian children affected by war rediscover joy

What's the problem?

Loneliness, fear, and the weight of trauma — Ukrainian children are forced to carry the consequences of war, no matter how old they are. These days, they often miss the most basic things: joy, connection, and a sense of safety.

So, how can adults help lift that burden?

What's the solution?

Photo courtesy of the project

The Come Out and Play! initiative is working to bring those vital childhood moments back to Ukrainian children. Now in its third year, a namesake nonprofit organization runs the program in cities across Ukraine. Free football training sessions help kids build physical strength, lift their spirits, create friendships, and offer psychological relief.

How does it work?

Training in Bucha. Photo courtesy of the project

The social initiative Come Out and Play! was founded in June 2022 in Bucha and Irpin, shortly after those cities were liberated from Russian occupation. Helping communities heal and face new challenges became its mission. Most importantly, it set out to support children in recovering emotionally and adjusting after life under occupation.

"At the time, there were virtually no social services for children in the city, and our team came up with the idea to combine football, play, and psychological relief for kids. That's how the Come Out and Play! training sessions began," says Maksym Mikhalkov, founder of the Ukrainian sports school Futziball, and later, the Come Out and Play! nonprofit.

Maksym Mikhalkov says that, at first, the Come Out and Play! team was made up of staff from the Futziball school in Kyiv, and the project started as a short-term volunteer effort. But by the end of August, it became clear that many children wanted to keep coming, and really needed it. That's when the team began working toward building a nonprofit organization that could grow institutionally, offer structured support, and seek long-term funding.

Children doing drills at a training session in Irpin. Photo courtesy of the project

By November 2022, Come Out and Play! was officially registered as a public organization. Support from partners helped get the fledgling NGO off the ground. The Plast Training Center in Bucha provided a field for training sessions free of charge, and the Ukrainian Premier League donated equipment. This support and resources from Futziball helped the team keep going until the first round of international funding came through. Street Child Ukraine and the Council of Europe Office were the first to back the initiative.

The nonprofit focuses on supporting those affected by war and works across several key areas:

• Restoring emotional well-being and helping people in liberated and front-line cities regain a sense of safety and stability.
• Protecting rights and providing social support to ensure war-affected people receive the help they need.
• Organizing meaningful activities and promoting a culture of volunteering among children who've lived through war — creating a space for growth, healing, and joy.

This initiative is helping people regroup, find strength, and reclaim their future.

The first training sessions in Dnipro. Photo courtesy of the project

Today, the organization is active not only in the Kyiv region but also in Dnipro, and it is preparing to launch new locations in Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, and Mykolaiv.

What makes these sessions so special?

The organization's team stresses how crucial it is that children are not left alone with the weight of war and that adults have the tools to help them find the answers they need. Come Out and Play! is all about restoring a sense of safety and stability through sports, creativity, and psychological support.

"We want to bring kids joy through sports and social activities. We help them recover emotionally, make new friends, and learn how to cope with life's challenges," the team explains.

The Come Out and Play! football sessions take place every week, all year round. In warmer months, they're held outdoors, and in the winter, they move into indoor facilities. The program is designed for children aged 5 to 14 and is open to anyone who wants to join. While the initiative especially welcomes displaced children and those from vulnerable backgrounds, no one is turned away, including kids who've never kicked a ball before.

Despite the stereotypes, girls love playing football too. Photo courtesy of the project

What makes these sessions special?

• Come Out and Play! training sessions are for both boys and girls; they blend kids' fitness with football.
• They're nothing like boring gym class. The coaches bring a treasure trove of fun, engaging activities, and they're more like cheerful, encouraging mentors than strict teachers.
• Most importantly, the sessions are built around creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where children can grow physically, socially, and emotionally, supporting and uplifting one another.

During the sessions, kids learn:

• Freedom of movement: improving coordination, motor skills, and balance.
  
• Football basics: dribbling, passing, tricks, and striking the ball.
  
• Teamwork and communication.

Coaches say every part of the training helps the kids grow stronger and more skilled. Special exercises that teachers constantly update help the children improve their movements, make them sharper, and make their kicks more precise.

One favorite is a partner drill called "Body Parts," which builds speed and reaction time. The goal is to catch the ball before your partner does. Listening closely to the coach is key. Another popular activity is "Zigzag" — a dribbling exercise where kids navigate back and forth around a rope, switching techniques and directions. And instead of a traditional warm-up, kids play football with their hands — a silly, energizing game that brings everyone together.

"Our sessions have their own philosophy. Unlike regular sports clubs, which focus on performance, competition, and technical training, we focus on joy, emotional development, and social connection. We don't organize tournaments or pressure kids to win. There are no victories or defeats here — only the joy of the game and communication," says founder Maksym Mikhalkov.

He adds that the project's program is shaped with the guidance of psychologists to meet the needs of children who've been through traumatic experiences.

Does it actually work?

Football brings kids together and helps them make new friends. Photo courtesy of the project

The team behind the initiative notes that some of the most common challenges children bring with them into the program are anxiety, shyness, low self-esteem, and difficulties connecting with peers. Many kids, especially those who've been displaced or have experienced trauma, can be withdrawn or hesitant to take part in group activities, afraid of making mistakes or failing. Emotional exhaustion is also common, often showing up as trouble concentrating or a lack of interest in new activities.

"Football is a universal language that all children understand, regardless of background, experience, or skill level. Its energy, simplicity, and team spirit help kids open up. Children who were quiet and reserved at first start engaging with others, showing initiative, and taking pride in their small victories. We've also seen real emotional shifts: more smiles, more positivity, less anxiety," says Maksym Mikhalkov.

That shared love of football brings the young players closer together and helps them form real, lasting bonds. The game becomes a gateway to deeper communication and friendship.

Children from the project in Dnipro. Photo courtesy of the project

To date, the Come Out and Play! initiative has reached over 500 children in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Bucha, and Irpin. While its primary mission isn't to train professional athletes, some kids have become so passionate about football that they've chosen to pursue it more seriously, joining sports clubs, competing in local tournaments, and even dreaming of becoming professional players one day.

Founder Maksym Mikhalkov shares the story of 10-year-old Veleslav, who fled from Lysychansk to Dnipro because of the war. At first, he was very shy and didn't know anyone in his new city. Through the training sessions, Veleslav made friends and discovered a love for football that helped him overcome stress and adjust to his new life. Now, he's active in sports and dreams of becoming a programmer, saying that playing on a team has taught him how to collaborate and work with others.

Even more helpful solutions!

Art therapy session. Photo courtesy of the project

The initiative doesn't stop at football. Beyond the pitch, Come Out and Play! offers children and their parents various activities designed to support social adaptation, emotional support, and strengthen family bonds. These include art therapy sessions, educational workshops, family festivals, and interactive events.

One such event is "Family Day," where children and their parents or relatives train and play together. These moments build the connection and understanding within families and create precious memories of shared joy. During art therapy sessions, kids learn how to express and process their emotions through creativity.

"Family Day" in Irpin. Photo courtesy of the project

The project also helps children discover new kinds of responsibility. For example, at workshops hosted by the Zoopatrol animal shelter, they learned the importance of caring for animals. And through their collaboration with the No Waste Ukraine movement, they've gained hands-on experience sorting household waste and caring for the environment.

"We want to give children the chance to enjoy both the game and the new skills they gain that are useful not just on the field, but in everyday life. Come Out and Play! breaks the stereotype that football is 'just a sport.' Our approach shows how play can become a growth, connection, and trust-building tool. We believe that by supporting children and their families, we're helping communities recover, grow stronger, and become more compassionate," says Maksym Mikhalkov.

The team's next step is to support communities that need attention most, particularly towns with high numbers of internally displaced people or those close to the front lines. They're currently working to launch new locations in Mykolaiv, Snihurivka, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih.

The project also plans to expand its services by offering free consultations with psychologists and legal advisors for parents. Another goal is to promote the integration of sports-based programs into broader social work with children and youth.

"We're always happy to welcome new people who want to help organize training sessions and events. If you tell your friends, colleagues, or community about us, that helps us reach more kids and build new partnerships," says Maksym Mikhalkov.

Getting involved with Come Out and Play! is easy. Just fill out the partnership form on the website or send a message through the project's social media pages.

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