Playworks helps kids to stay active and build valuable life skills through play
What a Better Recess Does
Conflict Resolution
Recess doesn’t have to be chaotic. At a better recess, kids acquire tools to work out disagreements and differences.
Leadership Skills
When they’re playing amongst their peers, kids have a valuable opportunity to develop a sense of fairness, confidence, and communication.
Academic Success
Kids who are engaged during recess are more likely to participate in class, which means better attendance and better grades.
Updates
Give Kids the Childhood They Deserve ›
Playworks Named 2019 Top-Rated Nonprofit ›
Playworks Recruits Playful Professionals with LinkedIn For Nonprofits ›
Playworks Near You
California
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187,548
Kids Reached in California in the last year
District of Columbia
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Kids Reached in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the last year
Maryland
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Kids Reached in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the last year
Massachusetts
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Kids Reached in New England in the last year
New Hampshire
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Kids Reached in New England in the last year
New Jersey
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Kids Reached in New Jersey in the last year
North Carolina
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Kids Reached in North Carolina in the last year
Oregon
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Kids Reached in the Pacific Northwest in the last year
Pennsylvania
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Kids Reached in Pennsylvania in the last year
Rhode Island
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Kids Reached in New England in the last year
Virginia
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Kids Reached in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the last year
Washington
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Kids Reached in the Pacific Northwest in the last year
West Virginia
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Kids Reached in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the last year
3.5 Million
Children reacheD in 7,000 Schools
Playworks is aiming to ensure 3.5 million children experience safe, healthy play every day. Click on your state to explore what Playworks is doing near you.
Elementary students with strong social and emotional skills are . . .
Recess is a natural learning lab for important life skills. Learn about our impact ›
Stories
February 3, 2016
Not-So-Junior Coach Matthew ›
When Playworks—then Sports4Kids—coach Max Langaard arrived at Manzanita school, Matthew Bailey was a shy third-grader. At home, he’d try to stay out of everyone’s way, and at school, he rarely spoke up during class. But Coach Max saw him…
April 26, 2019
Stories from the Playground: Coach Hoops ›
It’s not every day that a Playworks #AmeriCorps Coach is honored by the Los Angeles Lakers, complete with a basketball clinic hosted by legendary forward A.C. Green. Then again, being treated to a center court awards…
News
Edsurge.com
November 20, 2019
Rethinking Recess Leads to Results On and Off the Playground ›
At first glance, it looks like your standard recess at Eliza Chappell Elementary School. But upon closer inspection, what is happening outside during recess is in fact rather unusual. Every student is occupied with one activity or another—even those on the jungle gym. The games are clear, organized and inclusive. And a specially trained coach…
UC Santa Cruz
November 14, 2019
Learning on the playground: How elementary school recess enhances every aspect of child development ›
“Recess is an essential but often neglected part of the school day,” said Rebecca London, author of the new book Rethinking Recess: Creating Safe and Inclusive Playtime for All Children in School. “Every child needs recess, but recess is not distributed equitably.”
November 13, 2019
Nov 13, 2020 is World Kindness Day ›
In celebration of #WorldKindnessDay and #RealPlayersDontBully, we want everyone to know it’s cool to be kind! With the contagious power of positivity and kindness, you can help shift the culture of your school, community, and world. We, at Playworks, are changing school culture by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school. We create a…
November 7, 2019
Give Kids the Childhood They Deserve ›
When kids feel included and supported at recess, they’re more likely to thrive in school and in life. Everyone deserves a chance to become the best possible version of themselves. Kids need us to make that possible for them. Not all kids feel like they fit in at school. Feeling safe and like you belong is…
