Playworks Illinois
Playworks helps kids stay active and build valuable social and emotional skills through play.
About
All kids deserve the social, emotional, and physical benefits of play. We help schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.
Latest News
September 23, 2019
It’s Recess Checkup Week ›
It can be hard to understand the impact that your play space has on your school’s culture and your students’ experience, and while there are a lot of solutions worth trying, it’s tough to know what’s working and what’s not. Recess Lab is designed to help more principals, teachers, and students discover the power of…
September 17, 2019
Playworks Junior Coach Program named in DOJ’s ‘Promising Program’ ›
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed evidence of the Playworks Coach program and found that the program met the criteria for a Promising Program intended to improve school attendance. The DOJ invests in reviewing research that shows programs positively impact attendance because higher rates of kids attending school “prevents or reduce crime, delinquency, or…
March 22, 2019
Playworks Earned a 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency ›
Playworks just earned a 2019 Gold Seal by adding information to our Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar. Now our community members as well as 10+ million GuideStar users can find in-depth information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. We’re shining a spotlight on the difference we help make in the world. Plus, we’ve provided fresh…
March 6, 2019
Playworks Illinois Celebrates AmeriCorps Week ›
Playworks Illinois celebrates AmeriCorps Week by giving a huge Whoosh Clap to our AmeriCorps members for their commitment to service and for the great work they do in our community in Illinois and across the nation. We appreciate our Playworks coaches: Julia, Melanie, Tyrone, Carly, Stella, Zacharia, Andrew, Cassidy, Makaia and Raven. Get to know our…
Upcoming Events
October 30, 2019 @ 3:30 PM
Talks at Google: Real Players Don’t Bully ›
With bullying a continuing national concern, Playworks’ Real Players Don’t Bully campaign is partnering with Google’s Be Internet Awesome program to call attention to the need to empower the next…
November 30, 2019 @ 7:30 AM
Grant Park Turkey Trot 2019 ›
The Grant Park Turkey Trot has come together with Thanksgiving runs from around the nation to form a multi-city running festival called the American Turkey Tradition. This year, the proceeds…
A Better Recess
Instead of going back to class energized and ready to learn after recess, kids often return upset and unable to focus. We can change this. At a great recess:
Kids are at their best
Kids bring out the best in themselves and each other. They learn the value of fair play, compassion, and respect. They practice key social and emotional skills.
Kids become leaders
They run their own games and settle their disputes quickly (we recommend rock, paper, scissors) because getting along is more fun than fighting.
Kids choose to be active
When all students are included and all students know how to play popular games, every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of active play.
