Playworks helps kids to stay active and build valuable life 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

Introducing New Members of Playworks Board of Directors ›

Playworks is thrilled to welcome five new members to our National Board of Directors. Each brings a unique set of talents and perspective that will support Playworks’ mission. The individuals who…

updating you on Playworks equity journey graphic

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…

coach and kids playing jumprope

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Playworks offers trainings and support in South carolina 

South Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in South Dakota.

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Tennessee

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Playworks offers trainings and support in Tennessee

Texas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Texas.

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Utah

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52,722

Kids Reached in Utah in the last year

Vermont

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Vermont.

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Virginia

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Playworks offers trainings and support in Virigina

Washington

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Washington.

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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 safe, healthy play every day for over 25 years. Click on your state to explore what Playworks is doing near you.

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Elementary students with strong social and emotional skills are . . .


54%more likely to graduate from high school
2xmore likely to attain a college degree
46%more likely to have a full-time job by age 25

Recess is a natural learning lab for important life skills. Learn about our impact ›

Stories


Global Recess Alliance logo
Global Recess Alliance logo

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…

kids with Coach Hoops
kids with Coach Hoops

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…

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News


August 30, 2023

Safety first ›

The foundation for academic success and child development is safety. Emotional and physical safety are the foundation needed for kids to then be able to learn, develop, and grow.  Ninety…

May 31, 2023

The Significance of Play in Children’s Mental Health ›

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re exploring research around this topic and how play (and Playworks) can make a difference. The urgent need to support children’s mental health …

May 30, 2023

Playworks Alumni Spotlight: Alison Vaux-Bjerke ›

In this Q&A, former Coach Alison Vaux-Bjerke reflects on her Playworks experience and her journey into a career in youth sports and health initiatives. Q: What position did you hold…

May 25, 2023

National Board of Directors visit to Playworks School ›

During the May 2023 National Board of Directors meeting in Oakland, CA, the board gathered to strategize, plan, and experience the power of play firsthand. Board members and Playworks teammates…

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Events


Playground mapping graphic
Playground mapping graphic

October 25, 2023

Playground Mapping 101 ›

Make sure your playground is prepared for play. Join us as for the first webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical…

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