Prana Play was founded by Kay Anderson — a mother, cancer survivor, and seasoned healthcare leader — inspired by raising neurodiverse children while balancing life's biggest challenges. She built the space she could never find.
"A place of joy, inclusion, and purpose."
Prana Play is more than a play space — it's a transformative environment designed to support all families, especially neurodiverse families, by offering a place where children can play, learn, strengthen their skills, and feel truly accepted. Our mission is rooted in harmony and peace — empowering children, enabling parents, and creating balance, joy, and connection for the whole family. We celebrate differences and honor every child's unique way of experiencing the world.
Prana Play was founded by Kay Anderson, a Westfield mother of two and a former marketing leader who spent more than 20 years at Eli Lilly and Co. Kay began imagining her next chapter after one of her daughters was diagnosed with autism — at the same time she was undergoing treatment for advanced breast cancer. Those two experiences reshaped her perspective and her priorities, and she set out to build the space she could never find for families like hers in Hamilton County: a haven where a parent can have a moment of peace while their neurodiverse child is safe and happy, and every sibling is welcome too.
That vision was tested before it even opened. In April 2025, an EF-1 tornado tore through Carmel and damaged the building Kay was preparing along the Monon Greenway. She regrouped, rebuilt, and reopened — and today Prana Play stands as a sanctuary for neurodiverse families, exactly as she imagined it.
Families of sensory-sensitive and high-functioning autistic children know the feeling: a typical play place — bright, loud, crowded — can overwhelm a child in minutes and leave the whole family dysregulated for hours. Meanwhile, group therapy that builds real social skills is scarce, with waitlists that can stretch for years.
Prana Play exists to close that gap. It's a play space and a therapy space, designed equally for the child and the parent — so families can finally relax together, in one welcoming place.
State-of-the-art climbing with tunnels, slides, and swings for whole-body sensory input.
Imaginative pretend-play — vet clinic, ice cream shop, grocery, and construction zone.
A serene, low-stimulation retreat for calm, comfort, and co-regulation.
Whether it's open play, a class, a camp, or a celebration — there's a calm, joyful welcome waiting in Carmel.
Book your visitOur story of building a first-of-its-kind sensory haven for neurodiverse families in Carmel has been featured across local and regional press.
An in-depth profile of founder Kay Anderson and the journey to open Prana Play after an EF-1 tornado struck Carmel.
Fox 59 ↗Local TV coverage of Carmel's recovery, including Prana Play's rebuild along the Monon Greenway.
Fox 59 — Indy Now ↗A live segment introducing Prana Play and its mission for neurodiverse families in Carmel.
Sophisticated Living ↗Sophisticated Living Indianapolis profiles Kay Anderson's story and the making of Prana Play.
Sophisticated Living ↗A feature reframing luxury around purpose, community, and the work behind Prana Play.
Carmel Magazine ↗Prana Play featured in Carmel's community magazine as a sensory haven for local families.
Uniquely You! Indy ↗The special-needs community magazine spotlights Prana Play and the families it serves.
Who Needs Shoes Podcast ↗Kay shares the inspiration behind Prana Play and her path from corporate leadership to founder.
