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

Learn More

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 joined the Playworks Board in December 2022 and January 2023 are: Leslie Boissiere Vice President, External Affairs Annie E. Casey Foundation Leslie oversees the Annie…

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 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…

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

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Alabama.

Learn More

Alaska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Alaska.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Delaware

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Delaware.

Learn More

District of Columbia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in District of Columbia.

Learn More

Florida

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Florida.

Learn More

Georgia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Georgia.

Learn More

Hawaii

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Hawaii.

Learn More

Idaho

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Idaho.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Kansas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kansas.

Learn More

Kentucky

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kentucky.

Learn More

Louisiana

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Louisiana.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Mississippi.

Learn More

Missouri

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Missouri.

Learn More

Montana

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Montana.

Learn More

Nebraska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nebraska.

Learn More

Nevada

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nevada.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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 North Carolina.


Playworks offers trainings and support in North carolina 

North Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in North Dakota.

Learn More

Ohio

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Ohio.

Learn More

Oklahoma

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Oklahoma.

Learn More

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

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in South Carolina.

Learn More

South Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in South Dakota.

Learn More

Tennessee

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Tennessee.

Learn More

Texas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Texas.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Virginia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Virginia.

Learn More

Washington

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Washington.

Learn More

West Virginia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in West Virginia.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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 to the essential role of recess…

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 treated to a center court awards…

Discover More Playworks Stories ›

News


March 13, 2023

AmeriCorps Week 2023 ›

Join us in saying #AmeriThanks to our Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches! During #AmeriCorpsWeek, we are sending out giant Whoosh Claps to our 56 AmeriCorps Members completing their service year with Playworks. These Coaches are working in schools in 7 regions, impacting 31,791 kids each and every day. “For the kids and the future of our youth…

The Hechinger Report

February 9, 2023

When recess is the hardest part of the day ›

Recess is a critical time for children, a time for play that can benefit both their behavior and academics. But it isn’t joyful for all children. Playworks’ Laura Medina Quintanar shares how schools can work to ensure that recess is a fun, inclusive environment for all students.

January 19, 2023

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 joined the Playworks Board in December 2022 and January 2023 are: Leslie Boissiere Vice President, External Affairs Annie E. Casey Foundation Leslie oversees the Annie…

January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…

See all News ›

Events


The Game Plan graphic
The Game Plan graphic

April 05, 2023

Youth Leadership Empowerment ›

Unlock the leadership superpowers of your students. Join us as for the 4th and final webinar of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for…

View all events ›