Play helps us get active, stay engaged, and feel our best.

When kids play, it provides them with an opportunity to move their bodies in a way that builds a foundation for life-long wellness. Some of the ways play promotes physical activity include:

  • Play builds healthy habits. When play is consistent and fun, kids develop a positive relationship with movement that supports long-term physical health.
  • Play is for everyone. Games can be adapted for all students, regardless of age, ability, making physical activity more enjoyable for every kid.
  • Play inspires leaders. Through play, students model active behavior, motivate their peers, and build confidence in leading.
  • Play helps us makes the most of the day. Even when equipment, staff, or space is limited, play can be adjusted to meet the resources available to maximize existing resources and to get kids active and support students’ health.

Schools have a unique opportunity to encourage every kid to enjoy more physical activity.

More Active Minutes

Engaging in exercise and physical activity has been shown to improve children’s physical and psychological health outcomes. And research has demonstrated that the majority of children’s physical activity opportunities occur during recess. But many schools struggle to balance recess time with other priorities. 

Increasing physical activity is all about maximizing the time you have by providing a wide range of games and practicing smooth transitions to help kids enjoy more time playing. By using attention getters to quickly and effectively transition on and off the playground, even 20 minutes of recess can lead to a lot of movement for all kids.

Accelerometer data shows that students in Playworks schools engage in more intense physical activity during recess than students in non-Playworks schools. At Playworks schools, kids can self-navigate and jump into many games and sports on the playground, so they’re choosing to participate in activities they find fun.

Better Well-being and Health

When we play, we engage our bodies, minds, and senses, creating opportunities for increased physical activity, learning, and connection with others. Play can even help relieve stress and support the development of important skills, including communication and cooperation.

Ultimately, giving children the freedom to sample different sports and games empowers them to explore their interests and take risks in a low stakes environment. They can play one sport or game one day, and something completely new the next, learning new movements and skills with each.

Getting More Kids Moving

Access to games and play should be available to every child. Unfortunately, some barriers can prevent some kids from getting exposure and access to play opportunities. It is also important to work closely with school or program staff to address barriers to play.

By modifying games and offering a range of options, we can make sure that all students can find an activity that excites them. Kids get to decide how they want to play, whether it’s sticking to a favorite game or trying something new.

Search hundreds of games with filters for age, group size, equipment, etc. in our extensive and free Game Library.

Playworks Increases Physical Activity

Our evidence-based approach ensures students move more, sit less, and return to class focused and ready to learn. Kids are internally motivated to play during recess.

At Playworks, we provide school staff members, oftentimes including P.E. teachers*, and youth leaders with the resources and training needed to help get all students actively engaged in games and activities.

From introducing sports to young students to offering over 30 versions of high-energy games like tag, kids on Playworks playgrounds get active and develop motor skills critical to them now and in the future.

*Our programming, which is implemented during recess and in the classroom, is separate and distinct from physical education curriculum.


“By teaching students a variety of engaging and simple games during monthly class game times, the children come to recess excited to get active and have fun with their friends.” – Anita Lee, Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96%

of educators agree that Playworks strengthens students’ health and overall well being.

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95%

of educators agree that during recess, Playworks increases the number of students engaged in healthy play with their peers

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94%

of educators agree that during recess, Playworks increases the number of students who are physically active.

 

Additional Resources

Check out our Game Library

Explore hundreds of games by group size, available space and equipment, appropriate ages, and developmental skills.

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Read more studies on play

Explore academic research on the multitude of benefits of play and recess for kids.

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Find additional resources

We’ve opened up our playbook to provide tools and tips to help schools and community-based organizations incorporate more play into every day.

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kids on swings