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
25th Anniversary ›
In the last 25 years… Playworks has impacted a generation of children by bringing the power of play to kids across the country. What began with Founder Jill Vialet’s visit to one principal’s office has grown to serve 2,174,400 kids through 3,259 school partnerships, out-of-school providers, and community organizations through on-site services, professional development, and…
Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›
Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…
Careers ›
Join our team! Playworks is changing the way children experience school every day by leveraging the power of safe and healthy play. Our core values of inclusion, respect, healthy community, and healthy play are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work, including recruiting and retaining the best talent we can.
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
Over 2 Million
Children reacheD in 3,000+ Schools
Playworks has been ensuring children experience safe, healthy play every day for over 25 years. 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
May 19, 2022
Playworks Welcomes New Members to National Board of Directors ›
Playworks is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the national Board of Directors. “I am thrilled to welcome our new board members,” said CEO Elizabeth Cushing. “The unique perspectives and leadership they bring will be vital to Playworks as we continue working to ensure that every child experiences safe and healthy…
April 28, 2022
Updating you on our equity journey ›
When Playworks began our equity journey several years ago, we knew it would be a long term investment in our people, partners, and communities. We committed to centering equity as we prioritize partnerships with diverse communities nationwide, and this needed to begin by addressing racial equity in Playworks. We began by developing a team of…
March 14, 2022
Celebrating AmeriCorps Week 2022 ›
Playworks AmeriCorps members, we see YOU! Join us this week in a celebration of the contributions AmeriCorps members make in our communities. This school year, we have 63 Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches serving approximately 47,500 students in our schools. Playworks coaches are caring, consistent adults, working to make playgrounds safer and to help create positive school…
BBC
January 21, 2022
The Compass: Why We Play ›
Playworks was featured in a recent BBC segment. This episode of The Compass’ ‘Why We Play’ series explored the role of play in “building our understanding of our surroundings, culture and even ourselves” and visited a Playworks partner school to explore how we’re using play to teach skills such as conflict resolution and leadership.
Events
POSTPONED Rock Paper Scissors Tournament 2022 ›
**Out of respect for those who have been lost at Robb Elementary School and those who are mourning, we have postponed the Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. We’ll reach out in…
