Play is an important dimension of learning for all students. When students are allowed to play, amazing things happen. Students start to tell stories, explore new concepts, and learn in authentic ways. Some of these experiences are constructed with peers, while others are created individually. Discoveries are made by connecting one student's ideas with another and this new knowledge or idea is then shared with classmates. Play is a tool for student learning, discovery, and understanding. It's where they discover ideas, experiences, and concepts, and where they can analyze these discoveries and their consequences. When students explore ideas generated through play with student-led interest projects, they take agency in their own learning. Play and play-based learning allow all students access to innovative and creative educational experiences. In this study, students' stories and experiences with play are analyzed and shared using narrative inquiry and autoethnography. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]