World Playground – Many people would love the opportunity to travel but the cost can stop them from planning their dream vacation. That’s where World Playground makes you and your families dreams come true, at a reasonable cost. World Playground takes the extra costs out of traveling out and shows you what you can really do in this beautiful world. We sat down with founder Brooks Laich
Brooks, tell our audience about yourself.
I grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan with big dreams. Like most Canadians, hockey was in my blood from the very beginning. From the time I could walk, I was tirelessly drawn to the game, and I spent the first 35 years of my life chasing the goal of becoming the best player I could be.
That pursuit ultimately led me to realize my childhood dream: playing 13 seasons in the NHL, the majority with the Washington Capitals. Along the way, I also had the honor of representing Canada on the international stage – first at the IIHF World Junior Championship, and later at the IIHF Men’s World Championship.
In 2017, I retired from professional hockey, and a new chapter began.
What started as a curiosity quickly became a passion – travel and adventure. Over the next two years, I explored the world and chased experiences I had always dreamed of: going on safari in Africa, scuba diving in Indonesia, swimming with whales in Tonga, and even summiting Mount Kilimanjaro alongside my mom. The world felt wide open – and I was determined to experience as much of it as possible.
That journey led me to create World Playground, an adventure-driven community built around shared experiences. Having spent my life in team sports, I’ve always valued the power of connection, bringing people together to push boundaries and achieve something meaningful. For the next five years, I led group adventures around the world, helping others create unforgettable memories.
Today, I’ve expanded that vision with the launch of our new travel booking platform, making travel more accessible and affordable for everyone. Helping people create unforgettable memories with those they love is now my mission, and my team and I are committed to becoming the best in the world at it.
Why do you think travel is important for families?
I believe travel creates moments and experiences that shape families in ways that are hard to fully put into words. Two of the most meaningful memories of my life are summiting Kilimanjaro with my mom (I’m still so proud of her) and fly fishing in a remote part of Alaska with my dad. Those shared experiences are memories I’ll carry with me forever.
Six months ago, my fiancée and I welcomed our daughter into the world, and I already can’t wait to show her what’s out there. I look into her eyes every day and tell her, “We’re going to take you everywhere.” It will be one of the greatest joys of my life to do just that.
Travel opens us up – to new cultures, new ways of living, and new perspectives. It has a way of gently disrupting how we see the world, while bringing a deep sense of gratitude and joy. It’s something that’s difficult to fully explain, but undeniable when you feel it.
How did you come up with World Playground?
When I was playing in the NHL, I used to sign my autographs to kids/fans:
To _______
The world is your playground, your friend…
Brooks Laich #21
I always loved those two words and wanted to remind kids (and even adults) that the world is a place of play and opportunity, as long as you choose to see it that way. Yes, we’ll work hard too, but what is life if not fun, right?
At the time, I didn’t know exactly what it would become, but I knew I wanted to do something with the words “world” and “playground” at some point in my life. So in 2016, I secured the social media handles and held onto the idea until 2020, when it became clear that the adventure community I was building needed to be called “World Playground.” I love our name, it makes me smile every time I say it!
How can families benefit from World Playground and Travel Credits?
As I mentioned earlier, my mission is to help people create unforgettable memories with the ones they love. The primary way World Playground does that is by removing unnecessary costs from travel, making those experiences more affordable and within reach.
Whenever possible, our platform eliminates commissions entirely, so you’re only paying for the travel product itself – like a hotel room – and nothing more.
In cases where commissions are built into the industry – like with cruises, where they apply no matter where you book – we take a different approach. Instead of those dollars going to a booking platform, we return 100% of the commission back to you in the form of Travel Credits. So rather than paying hidden fees, you benefit directly from them.
In short, families can trust that our platform offers the lowest possible price for each travel experience, without paying a single cent more.
Can you give some inspiration on what should be on the travel bucket list for every family?
Anyone who knows me knows there’s one experience I’ll always recommend for families: an African safari. There’s simply nothing like it – it’s by far my favorite adventure in the world.
No matter which country you visit, the experience will be life-changing. You’ll witness some of nature’s greatest wonders up close – animals roaming freely, breathtaking landscapes stretching endlessly. Additionally, you’ll experience the music, dance, and joy of local communities. You’ll watch the sunset take over the horizon, followed by a night sky filled with more stars than you’ve ever seen.
And you’ll share it all together.
It’s the kind of experience that reminds you just how spectacular the world truly is, and how meaningful it is to experience its beauty with the people you love.
If anyone reading this ever wants to take their family on an African Safari, I would love the opportunity to help make that possible for you. I have a favorite lodge that stands out above the rest, and they specialize in experiences for the entire family.
We love that World Playground allows making the unforgettable more affordable. To us, that means that it is equitable to more families to achieve their dreams and see the world. Why was affordability important to you?
In 2016, I saw my first male lion in the wild in South Africa. I had two immediate thoughts:
- everyone in the world needs to see this!
Followed shortly by:
- It’s a shame that not everyone will be able to afford to see this.
In that moment, I knew I had to do something to make the kind of experience I was having more affordable and within reach for others.
In many ways, I’m simply continuing what I’ve watched my parents do my entire life. They always found ways to make joy and fun accessible to those who couldn’t afford it. My dad would bring families fishing, tubing, or to my hockey games. My mom would fill the kitchen with delicious baking and share it with anyone who stopped by.
I’ve seen their generosity my whole life, and it’s a big part of why World Playground exists.
No matter the experience – whether it’s youth sports, a weekend ski trip, or a family reunion – we’re committed to making those moments more accessible. Because the best memories in life shouldn’t be out of reach.
We are going to put you on the spot for a moment, what is your favorite travel destination that our readers will have to check out when using World Playground?
Tanzania has my heart, Kenya too. Those destinations require a bit more bespoke planning, but the experience is truly unmatched.
If you’re looking for something a little closer, I’d recommend Iceland in the summer months. My fiancée is Icelandic, and we have a home in Reykjavík, so it’s a place that’s very special to me. Iceland offers landscapes and waterfalls that feel almost unreal – wild, rugged, and absolutely breathtaking.
And through World Playground, experiences like these become more accessible and affordable for everyone.
A special thanks to Brooks Laich for sharing World Playground with us! It’s time to start planning your dream trip. Here is how you can connect with WORLD PLAYGROUND:
