Playworks helps kids to stay active and build valuable skills through play

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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

Supporting Student Mental Health Through Play ›

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Playworks and the American Academy of Pediatrics teamed up for a special webinar exploring the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health and…

SparkPlay logo

Introducing SparkPlay presented by Playworks ›

Playworks is thrilled to announce the launch of a new learning tool. SparkPlay is Playworks’ subscription-based, online resource that supports the continuous learning of play-based strategies for school and youth…

coach and kids playing jumprope

Careers ›

Join our team! Playworks believes in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships.

Playworks Near You

FL TX NM AZ AK CA NV UT CO OR WA ID HI OK MT WY ND SD NE KS MN IA MO AR LA MS AL GA SC IL WI MI IN OH TN KY NC WV VA PA NY ME VT NH RI CT NJ DE MD MA DC
Alabama

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Alabama 

Alaska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Alaska.

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Arizona

Connect with the Playworks team in Arizona.


20,000

Kids served in Arizona in the last year

Arkansas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Arkansas.

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California

Connect with the Playworks team in Northern California and Southern California.


334,652

Kids Reached in California in the last year

Colorado

Connect with the Playworks team in Colorado.


59,170

Kids Reached in colorado in the last year

Connecticut

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Connecticut.

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Delaware

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Delaware.

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District of Columbia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in District of Columbia.

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Florida

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Florida

Georgia

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Georgia

Hawaii

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Hawaii.

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Idaho

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Idaho.

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Illinois

Connect with the Playworks team in Illinois.


82,277

Kids Reached in Illinois in the last year

Indiana

Connect with the Playworks team in Indiana.


48,407

Kids Reached in Indiana in the last year

Iowa

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Iowa.

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Kansas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kansas.

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Kentucky

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kentucky.

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Louisiana

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Louisiana

Maine

Connect with the Playworks team in New England.


99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

Maryland

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Maryland.

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Massachusetts

Connect with the Playworks team in New England.


99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

Michigan

Connect with the Playworks team in Michigan.


77,916

Kids Reached in Michigan in the last year

Minnesota

Connect with the Playworks team in Minnesota.


39,648

Kids Reached in Minnesota in the last year

Mississippi

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Mississippi 

Missouri

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Missouri.

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Montana

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Montana.

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Nebraska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nebraska.

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Nevada

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nevada.

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New Hampshire

Connect with the Playworks team in New England.


99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

New Jersey

Connect with the Playworks team in New Jersey.


96,309

Kids Reached in New Jersey in the last year

New Mexico

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in New Mexico.

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New York

Connect with the Playworks team in New York.


96,309

Kids Reached in New York in the last year

North Carolina

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in North carolina 

North Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in North Dakota.

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Ohio

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Ohio.

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Oklahoma

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Oklahoma.

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Oregon

Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.


31,713

Kids served in the Pacific Northwest in the last year

Pennsylvania

Connect with the Playworks team in Pennsylvania.


44,279

Kids Reached in Pennsylvania in the last year

Rhode Island

Connect with the Playworks team in New England.


99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

South Carolina

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in South carolina 

South Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in South Dakota.

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Tennessee

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Tennessee

Texas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Texas.

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Utah

Connect with the Playworks team in Utah.


52,722

Kids Reached in Utah in the last year

Vermont

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Vermont.

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Virginia

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Virigina

Washington

Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.


31,713

Kids served in the Pacific Northwest in the last year

West Virginia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in West Virginia.

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Wisconsin

Connect with the Playworks team in Wisconsin.


55,392

Kids Reached in Wisconsin in the last year

Wyoming

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Wyoming.

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Over 2 Million

Children reacheD in 3,000+ Schools

Playworks has been ensuring children experience the benefits of play every day for almost 30 years. Click on your state to explore what Playworks is doing near you.

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According to educators at Playworks schools


95%Agree that Playworks creates an engaging learnign environment for kids
94%Agree that Playworks increases the number of kids that are physically active
96%Agree that Playworks helped students develop relationships with their peers

Learn about our impact ›

Stories


isaiah on the playground
isaiah on the playground

November 26, 2024

Coach Isaiah Marshall’s Impact ›

Everyone agrees: Coach Isaiah Marshall’s deep care and approach with finding the best in everyone he meets inspires, uplifts, and connects individuals and communities. Isaiah is making an impact on…

Angel smiling on the playground
Angel smiling on the playground

November 26, 2024

Angel Discovers Confidence as a Leader ›

One of Coach Isaiah’s proudest achievements was creating the opportunity for one of his students, Angel, to transform into a confident leader on the playground. When Isaiah first met Angel,…

Discover More Playworks Stories ›

two girls on playground

News


February 11, 2025

Resourceful Play with Minimal Equipment ›

Imagine a rainy day when outdoor recess is canceled or a play area with no traditional play equipment in sight. Even in these moments, kids, with the help of adults,…

January 13, 2025

Making Any Space a Playspace ›

Play is essential to a child’s development, regardless of whether it happens on a bustling playground, in a quiet classroom, or even in a small hallway. While a traditional outdoor…

November 20, 2024

Building a Foundation for Change ›

Relationships are the foundation of building a shared future. Schools, as microcosms of our communities, are the perfect starting point for driving the systemic change we need. We can most…

October 21, 2024

Why Kids Should Experience a Variety of Sports and Games ›

Childhood is a time of exploration, where kids can try new things, discover hidden talents, and develop critical skills. One of the best ways to foster this growth is by…

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kids playing with hula hoops