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
Download the Playworks School Re-Opening Workbook ›
This is an unprecedented moment for kids, teachers, families, and schools. Re-opening our schools will involve decisions based on incomplete information that must be made in an environment that, at best, would be described as uncertain. The Playworks School Reopening Workbook is a free resource and workbook aiming to bring a bit of ease to…
Work Play Balance powered by Playworks ›
Find your Work Play Balance. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of children and adults alike. Playworks is continuing to share the power of play by launching Play at Home for kids and our brand new Work Play Balance playbook for adults. Work Play Balance is a playbook designed to leverage play to engage…
#PlayAtHome with Playworks ›
Playworks Near You
California
Connect with the Playworks team in Northern California and Southern California.
334,652
Kids Reached in California in the last year
District of Columbia
Playworks happily offers trainings and support in District of Columbia.
Massachusetts
Connect with the Playworks team in New England.
Kids Reached in New England in the last year
New Hampshire
Connect with the Playworks team in New England.
Kids Reached in New England in the last year
New Jersey
Connect with the Playworks team in New Jersey.
Kids Reached in New Jersey in the last year
Oregon
Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.
Kids served in the Pacific Northwest in the last year
Pennsylvania
Connect with the Playworks team in Pennsylvania.
Kids Reached in Pennsylvania in the last year
Rhode Island
Connect with the Playworks team in New England.
Kids Reached in New England 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
May 15, 2020
Recess is Necessary ›
Researchers agree: it’s important to prioritize recess in how schools approach re-opening. The research community has come together to establish the Global Recess Alliance in an effort to bring attention to the essential role of recess…
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
November 9, 2020
Play Builds Serious Skills ›
Playtime is many things. It’s fun for children. It’s an escape for busy parents. But it’s much more than that. According to Dr. Stephanie M. Carlson, distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota, and Reflection Sciences co-founder, “Play is about as ‘blueprinted’ a behavior as you can have in terms of basic survival and reproduction.” Furthermore,…
October 6, 2020
Using Play to Foster Social Connections and Physical Activity ›
Play isn’t just fun and games – it’s a vital aspect of our health and well-being. When we play, we engage our bodies, minds, and senses, creating opportunities for increased physical activity, learning, and connection with others. Play can even help relieve stress and support the development of important social-emotional skills, including communication and cooperation.…
Good Morning America
September 11, 2020
Luke Bryan surprises elementary school coach on GMA ›
Matthew Bailey is a Playworks coach at Manzanita Community Elementary School, the same school he attended as a kid. Playworks is a nonprofit organization that works to help schools and youth programs across the U.S. create recess and play environments. “I want them knowing that they have an African-American role model or someone to look…
September 3, 2020
How Equity, Trauma, and Play Intersect ›
The play opportunity gap Play is critical for healthy child development as it is a safe way for kids to experiment and practice building relationships and cooperating with others. And yet, even in normal circumstances before COVID-19, there wasn’t an equal opportunity for every kid to play. We need to make sure this disparity does…
