Intel Kids Learn Playworks' Games

Computer hardware giant, Intel, hosted its annual Bring Your Kids to Work Day at multiple sites in Hillsboro, OR. The day was designed for Intel staff's children to participate in a fun day of games and learning. Participating groups included Playworks, Kaiser Permanente, Hillsboro Public Library, Demo Depot, OMSI and Jackson Bottom.

With support from Kaiser, Playworks staff set up a games station for the hundreds of kids that attended. For the entire morning and afternoon at two different sites, kids and adults were introduced to 'Switch' and 'Band-Aid Tag.' Both games were a great success as kids were able to run around and burn off energy. Kids also learned other great skills such as: safe-tagging, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, evasion, spatial awareness, positive interaction and healthy play.

Kaiser Senior Account Manager Cindy Rogers helped bring Playworks to the event and was amazed at the effectiveness of the games.

"[Switch] is quite a game! It's quick and fun for the kids, they keep coming back for more and learn conflict resolution with rock, paper, scissors."

Parents were also excited about the games and the effect they had on their kids.

Ben Moore, an Intel employee and Beaverton resident, was excited to see his kids and others playing and interacting so easily with the each other.

"Playworks sounds like a great program and it'll be wonderful to have in Portland schools and the surrounding areas. I hope we can bring it to our school someday."

Playworks is also revamping our volunteer program and look forward to having people like Ben Moore volunteer in and around their communities through Playworks and other play-based opportunities.

As Playworks gears up for the upcoming school year this fall, events like Intel's Bring your kids to work day are the types of events we're excited to be a part of. Large events like this are great for the kids and also beneficial to the adults who attend and are reminded of the many benefits that play has to offer. Future growth and expansion in the Portland Metro Area and any opportunity to partner with new communities and reach a broader audience of children is all steps closer to our goal of ensuring that one day every kid in America will have a chance to play. Play on!