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
Oregon State University Study Finds High-Quality Recess Positively Impacts Student Behaviors ›
Give Kids the Childhood They Deserve ›
Playworks Recruits Playful Professionals with LinkedIn For Nonprofits ›
Playworks Near You
California
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334,652
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
Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.
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
January 28, 2020
Playworks Joins Forces to Expand Support for Youth Programs Across the Country ›
Together, Let’s #InvestInKids Playworks has teamed up with 12 of the nation’s leading youth programs to launch Be a Champion, #InvestInKids to raise awareness and increase support for youth programs across the country. Every day, these programs reach millions of kids across the U.S. and make a positive impact in their communities and the world…
December 5, 2019
Playworks named in Top 10 Volunteer Opportunities in Oakland in 2019 ›
Playworks has been featured as one of Great Nonprofits 10 Top Volunteer Opportunities in Oakland in 2019. Thanks to our fans for your support! The list was compiled based on volunteers’ and interns’ favorite Oakland charities. Every nonprofit on this list earned an overall score of 4 or greater out of 5 on GreatNonprofits.org. “My…
December 5, 2019
Make the Most of Indoor Recess ›
By the time winter break comes, many schools have had more indoor recess than planned. Even if some students are accustomed to snow and frigid temperatures, the weather can sometimes still prevent outdoor play. Educators feel the effect of being confined to indoor recess just like their students, but they know play is important for…
December 4, 2019
Oregon State University Study Finds High-Quality Recess Positively Impacts Student Behaviors ›
A recent study by the Oregon State University College of Public Health and Human Services found that high-quality recess contributes to the executive function, emotional self-control, resilience, and positive classroom behavior in elementary school children. While past studies explored the benefits related to the amount of recess time, this is the first study to address…
Events
May 07, 2020
Get in the Game 2020 Northern California ›
Join us for our annual Gala ‘Get In The Game’ Please join us as we celebrate thousands of students having access to safe and healthy play everyday. We will combine…
