Get in the Game 2017
2017-09-28 13:15 (America/Chicago)
Join us for our Get in the Game event on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Ovation Chicago from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. This camp-themed evening will include dinner, cocktails, a silent auction with a wine pull and of course play!

The Get in the Game event is a perfect representation of Playworks: incomparably fun and seriously impactful. It’s a celebratory party which will be attended by 250+ guests, including key community, business, and education leaders combines fun, food and drink with an irreverent awards presentation and real play—with a mission.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Join our 2017 BOA Chicago Marathon team!
2017-10-08 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Playworks is thrilled to be an official charity of the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Over the past four years, our runners have generously raised funds to support Illinois students’ engagement in safe, rewarding play and physical activity throughout the school day.
We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid, and in supporting Team Playworks, you will help us continue our mission to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for healthy, safe, and inclusive play.
Join TEAM PLAYWORKS for the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
By joining Team Playworks, you are helping us change school climates and build tomorrow’s citizens by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day.
As a member of the team you will have the opportunity to:

Adopt and run for one of our 13 Chicago-area elementary schools*
Participate in a Nike-sponsored training program
Network with team participants
Fundraise throughout the campaign
Join a special team dinner and site visit at one of our partner schools
Receive limited-edition Playworks gear and additional incentives
Cross the finish line with more than 9,000 Playworks students cheering you on

As a member of the team you are expected to:

Make a fundraising commitment of $1,000 or more
Be at least 18-years-old on race day
Finish the race in less than six hours
Be an ambassador of play

If you have any questions, please contact Lee Ann Eiland, development manager, at leeann.eiland@playworks.org. To join Team Playworks, fill out this brief form and we will be in touch to get you in the game.

If you are unable to run, you can still support the team and our work in low-income schools in the Chicago area. Please visit our fundraising page to donate.
*Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity runners must pay their own registration fees.

Playworks Meet and Greet in Evanston!
2017-11-01 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Creative Co-Working, 922 Davis St., Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
Come enjoy drinks and snacks and learn more about Playworks Illinois! There will be a short program at 6:30 that includes an overview of services on which Playworks and District 65 can partner. And of course, we’ll save a few minutes for play!
Did you know:
96% of school staff agree that Playworks Illinois creates a safe and effective learning environment
96% of school staff report an increase in the number of students engaged in healthy play at recess
On average, teachers recover 25 hours per year transitioning students from recess to learning.
Co-hosted by Playworks Illinois and Creative Coworking.
Click here to RSVP

Playworks Illinois 7th Annual Kickball Tournament
2018-06-16 10:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Lawrence Athletic Fields, Chicago, Illinois
Lace up your sneakers and join us for some nostalgia over green grass and a big red bouncy ball for our 7th annual kickball tournament. The Playworks Illinois Corporate Kickball Tournament offers local businesses and individuals the opportunity to give back to their community while enjoying a few hours of play.
The Corporate Kickball event will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Lawrence Athletic Fields. The day will include complimentary jerseys for all participants, lunch, kickball and opportunities for networking and friendly competition with other area businesses all while serving the kids of Chicago. The winning team will receive plenty of high fives and the coveted Golden Kickball trophy.
Our hope is that each participant walks off the field feeling like a rock star, having played a fun game of kickball while making a valuable contribution to an organization working to reducing bullying and improving the health and well-being of children in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods every day. All event proceeds support Playworks Illinois, which provides increased opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play to more than 30,000 students at over 30 elementary schools and youth organizations.
If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s tournament by entering your team, head on over to our donor page here.

Past team participants include: Schiff Hardin, LLP (past winner!), Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, Salesforce.com (past winner!), Loyola University, Konica Minolta, IMC Financial, Red Eye, The Private Bank, LinkedIn, Equity International, Upshot Agency, Centro Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Wilson, McKinsey & Company, Namaste Charter School (past winner sponsored by OnShore Security), and National Teacher’s Academy (sponsored by SHI Corporation).

Questions? Contact Lee Ann Eiland, Development Manager, at leeann.eiland@playworks.org

Join our 2018 BOA Chicago Marathon team!
2018-10-07 | Grant Park, Chicago, IL
Playworks is thrilled to be an official charity of the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Over the past four years, our runners have generously raised funds to support Illinois students’ engagement in safe, rewarding play and physical activity throughout the school day.
We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. In supporting Team Playworks, you will help us continue our mission to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for healthy, safe, and inclusive play.
Join Team Playworks for the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
By joining Team Playworks, you are helping us change school climates and build tomorrow’s citizens by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day.
As a member of the team, you will have the opportunity to:

Adopt and run for one of our 12 Chicago-area elementary schools*
Network with team participants
Fundraise throughout the campaign
Join a special team dinner and site visit at one of our partner schools
Receive limited-edition Playworks gear and additional incentives
Cross the finish line with more than 9,000 Playworks students cheering you on

As a member of the team you are expected to:

Make a fundraising commitment of $1,000 or more
Be at least 18 years old on race day
Finish the race in less than six hours
Be an ambassador of play

If you have any questions, please contact Caira Lee Conner, program associate, at caira.conner@playworks.org.

If you are unable to run, you can still support the team and our work in low-income schools in the Chicago area. Please visit our fundraising page to donate.
*Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity runners must pay their own registration fees.
Donate

Get in the Game 2018
2018-10-19 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Sports Museum, 835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611
Save the date for our 5th annual Get in the Game event on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Chicago Sports Museum from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. This fun evening will include dinner, cocktails, a silent auction with a wine pull and of course play!
The Get in the Game event is a perfect representation of Playworks: incomparably fun and seriously impactful. It’s a celebratory party which will be attended by 250+ guests, including key community, business, and education leaders combines fun, food and drink with an irreverent awards presentation and real play—with a mission.
Purchase tickets now!
For questions about sponsorship or donations, contact Caira Lee Conner, Program Associate, at caira.conner@playworks.org.

Playworks Illinois 8th Annual Kickball Tournament
2019-06-22 10:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Lawrence Athletic Fields, Chicago, Illinois
Lace up your sneakers and join us for some nostalgia over green grass and a big red bouncy ball. It’s time for our 8th Annual Kickball Tournament!
The Playworks Illinois Kickball Tournament offers local businesses and individuals the opportunity to give back to their community while enjoying a few hours of play.
The Corporate Kickball event will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lawrence Athletic Fields. The day will include complimentary jerseys for all participants, lunch, kickball, and opportunities for networking and friendly competition with other area businesses all while serving the kids of Chicago. The winning team will receive plenty of high fives and the coveted Golden Kickball trophy.
Our hope is that each participant walks off the field feeling like a rockstar, having played a fun game of kickball while making a valuable contribution to an organization working to reduce bullying and improve the health and well-being of children in Chicago’s under-resourced neighborhoods. All event proceeds support Playworks Illinois, which provides increased opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play to more than 30,000 students at more than 30 elementary schools and youth organizations.
Interested in sponsoring this year’s tournament? Head on over to our donor page to enter your team.
Register

Past team participants include: Schiff Hardin, LLP (past winner!), Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, Salesforce.com (past winner!), Loyola University, Konica Minolta, IMC Financial, Red Eye, The Private Bank, LinkedIn, Equity International, Upshot Agency, Centro Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Wilson, McKinsey & Company, Namaste Charter School (past winner sponsored by OnShore Security), and National Teacher’s Academy (sponsored by SHI Corporation).

Questions? Contact Caira Lee Conner, Engagement Specialist, at caira.conner@playworks.org

Get in the Game 2019
2019-10-04 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Sports Museum, 835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611
Save the date for our 6th annual Get in the Game event on Friday, October 4, 2019 at Chicago Sports Museum from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. This fun evening will include dinner, cocktails, a silent auction with a wine pull and of course play!
The Get in the Game event is a perfect representation of Playworks: incomparably fun and seriously impactful. It’s a celebratory party which will be attended by 250+ guests, including key community, business, and education leaders combines fun, food and drink with an irreverent awards presentation and real play—with a mission.
Purchase tickets now
For questions about sponsorship or donations, contact Colleen Harvey, at colleen.harvey@playworks.org.

Grant Park Turkey Trot 2019
2019-11-30 07:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Grant Park, Chicago, IL
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 from this 5k/10k walk/run will be going to Playworks Illinois!
Register now or email Annie Share (annie.share@playworks.org) if you are interested in volunteering.

Talks at Google: Real Players Don't Bully
2019-12-04 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Google HQ, 320 N Morgan Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
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 generation to be kind on and offline, leading this charge from elementary school playgrounds.
Join us for a panel discussion about anti-bullying and youth empowerment, led by our 4th and 5th grade Junior Coaches. The panel will be moderated by Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia.
To RSVP, please complete the Registration Form.

Playmakers Happy Hour
2020-01-22 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | District Brew Yards, 417 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622, United States
Join us at District Brew Yards on Wednesday, January 22 for a Playmakers Happy Hour.
As part of their “Cents for Causes” initiative, the Brew Yards will donate 10 cents per ounce of beer to Playworks Illinois.
Spread the word, invite your friends, and cheers to helping bring safe and healthy play to every kid in Illinois!

Let’s Play For a Generation of Impact
2020-10-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
How can play help kids develop, practice social and emotional skills, and get physically active in virtual or hybrid environments or in-person experiences that are COVID-19 safe?
Find out by joining Playworks and other supporters nationwide and Let’s Play!
During this unique virtual event, you will experience how play feels right now. Teachers, coaches, and kids will share their stories of the back to school journey and how play and Playworks have eased the transition. Playworks President Elizabeth Cushing will highlight the current state of the organization and our school communities, and Playworks Founder Jill Vialet will highlight her predictions for the future of play.
For almost 25 years, Playworks has leveraged the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. While historically our services have mostly been in person, we’ve transformed the Playworks experience to ensure that we can support kids and school staff in their current environment-whatever that is- and ensure they get to benefit from playing every day. We need support to be here for generations to come.
Let’s Play together to recognize this impact on the past generation and raise critical funds to support the next. Thanks to the generous support of Swapnil Agarwal for every $1 donated, Playworks will receive an additional $2, up to $100,000. If you can’t attend but still want to make a difference please donate now.
Register Now
If you can’t attend on this day, you’re in luck! We’ll be hosting a second event on Thursday, October 8.
Register for that event here.

Playworks Illinois Get in the Game: 10th Anniversary Backyard Bash
2022-09-29 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Bridge 410, 410 N Paulina St, Chicago, 60622
Get your tickets now for our Get in the Game: Get in the Game: 10th Anniversary Backyard Bash on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Bridge 410 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This celebratory evening will include dinner, cocktails, a silent auction and wine pull, and of course, play!
Get in the Game Gala is a perfect representation of Playworks: incomparably fun and seriously impactful. It will be attended by 250+ guests, including key community, business, and education leaders. Join us for fun, food and drink with an irreverent awards presentation and real play—with a mission as we celebrate our 10th anniversary is Playworks Illinois.
For questions about sponsorship or donations, contact Colleen Harvey at colleen.harvey@playworks.org.
Get your tickets now!

5 Ways to Have a Great Recess Webinar
2022-10-06
Big changes start small.
Join us as we kick-off The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During the first webinar, you will learn the 5 key components of a great recess:

Safety on the Playground
Effective Systems (play space, transitions, equipment, & visuals)
Engaged & Empowered Adults & Students
Conflict Resolution
Games, games, games, games!

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the value of play and recess, how to identify and improve your play space, games that you can deliver right away, and how to help ensure students feel safe and engaged in play.
We’ll also discuss our Recess CheckUp, an online quiz designed to help you identify strengths and uncover areas for improvement. Get a head start by taking the three-minute check-up prior to the webinar.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

2022 Playmakers Adult Recess
2022-11-17 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | District Brew Yards, 417 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622, United States
Join the Playmakers board for a fun free night of games and to learn more about Playworks’ impact in communities throughout Chicagoland.
Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. Playworks uses play, a universally accessible activity, to establish new norms for respectful social behavior and to include every child in physical activity. Through these activities, students learn lifelong skills such as conflict resolution, teamwork, empathy and fair play and in turn create safer environments that are conducive to learning.
We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. In attending Adult Recess, you will help Playworks Illinois continue our mission to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for healthy, safe, and inclusive play.
REGISTER!

Grant Park Turkey Trot-Volunteer!
2022-11-26 07:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | DuSable Harbor, 111 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
The volunteer shift is from 7:00am-11:00 am on Saturday November 26, 2022.
Volunteer with Playworks at the Grant Park Turkey Trot!
Join in the excitement as a volunteer. All volunteers receive a free event shirt for volunteering. Volunteers will help at water stations, participant check-in, course marshaling and many other places.
Sign up to volunteer!
Directions and Parking:
Start/finish:
DuSable Harbor, 111 N Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601
All Community Events recommends eco-friendly transportation for your convenience: carpool, bicycle or use public transit!
Public Transportation:
-CTA (Chicago Transit Authority): CTA’s trip planner http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com or 888.YOUR.CTA
-Metra Train Service: www.metrarail.com or 312.322.6777
-RTA (Regional Transit Authority): www.rtachicago.com
Parking:
Parking Available at Millennium Garages
-Limited street parking may be available.
Paid parking is available at:
-Other various parking garages
Bicycle parking is available near the race start/finish location.

3 Questions to Ask About Your Indoor Recess Webinar
2022-12-07
Indoor recess doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Join us as for webinar 2 of The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During this next webinar, we will explore 3 questions to ask as you approach indoor recess:

Is it really recess?
Are you getting the most out of your space?
Who else can get involved?

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the benefits students can enjoy even when recess is moved inside, the pros and cons of different play spaces, and the staffing and support needed for an effective indoor recess.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

Get Groups Engaged Through Play
2023-02-01
Keeping kids attention can be tough. Play-based practices can help.
Join us as for webinar 3 of The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During this next webinar, we will explore:

Using play-based practices to create systems to effectively manage large groups
Implementing proactive systems to address disruptive behavior before it occurs
Infusing play into the day to ensure effective communication with students

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the group management strategies that are both fun and effective.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

Playmakers Adult Recess
2023-04-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Hampton Social, 353 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Join us for a great night of games, play, and an opportunity to connect with the Playmakers board!

Register now

2023 Playworks Illinois Kickball Tournament
2023-08-05 10:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Lawrence Athletic Fields, Chicago, Illinois
Lace up your sneakers and join us for some nostalgia over green grass and a big red bouncy ball for our annual kickball tournament.
The Playworks Illinois Corporate Kickball Tournament offers local businesses and individuals the opportunity to give back to their community while enjoying a few hours of play.

Register now!

Playworks Illinois Get in the Game
2023-09-28 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Bridge 410, 410 N Paulina St, Chicago, 60622
Get your tickets now for Get in the Game on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Bridge 410 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This celebratory evening will include dinner, cocktails, a silent auction and wine pull, and of course, play!
Get in the Game Gala is a perfect representation of Playworks: incomparably fun and seriously impactful. It will be attended by 250+ guests, including key community, business, and education leaders. Join us for fun, food and drink with an irreverent awards presentation and real play—with a mission as we celebrate our 10th anniversary is Playworks Illinois.
For questions about sponsorship or donations, contact Colleen Harvey at colleen.harvey@playworks.org.
Learn more!

Playground Mapping 101
2023-10-25 12:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
During this next webinar, we will explore playground mapping.
Recess is safer (and more fun!) when games have their own dedicated locations on the playground. Learn how you can create a map for your playground that encourages safe and healthy play for all students.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register

Playing Across Age Groups
2023-12-13 | virtual
There are many ways to play!
Join us as for the second webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
As students grow and learn new skills, their approach to play evolves too. Discover games and resources that engage students across different grade levels, ages, and abilities.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register

Resolving Conflicts Through Play
2024-02-14 12:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn fun, easy conflict resolution techniques students can utilize!
Join us as for the third webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
Disagreements on the playground can be an opportunity for children to develop healthy and productive conflict-resolution skills. Explore strategies you can use to encourage students to resolve disagreements independently and create a culture of cooperation.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
All webinars will last approximately one hour and will be recorded.
Register

Supporting Student Mental Health Through Play Webinar
2024-05-16 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | virtual
Create a more playful environment that supports every child’s mental well-being!
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Playworks and the American Academy of Pediatrics are teaming up for a special webinar exploring the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health and the transformative role of play.
This virtual conversation will engage medical professionals, educators, and other community leaders to shine a spotlight on the various people who form the ecosystem of care for youth and how play based practices can make a difference across all of those relationships and settings.
Attendees will:

Identify the various roles within the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health
Learn about the benefits of universal supports and protective factors on youth mental health
Understand how play positively supports youth mental health
Take away practical tips for utilizing play in your roles

This webinar will begin at 12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT and will last approximately one hour. It will be recorded and the recording will be available following the event.
Register
Experts

Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, pediatrician, received her medical degree and business degree from the University of MN and is the Vice President and Chief of General Pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota. In her role, she has oversight over primary care, rehabilitation services, and mental, developmental, and behavioral health, including development of an inpatient mental health pediatric unit, and partial hospitalization mental health programs. She is often called upon by the media for her pediatric expertise and is a regular contributor for the Minnesota Parent’s column and WCCO’s segment to “Ask the Pediatrician.” Her clinical areas of interest are the outpatient and inpatient care of complex special needs patients, premature infants, and ventilator dependent children. Dr. Chawla is also instrumental in advancing the organization’s forward-looking efforts around community engagement. Through internal efforts to better integrate school based care, primary care with behavioral health, social support services for families, as well as, external advocacy with government groups, she works to create an environment for child health that extends beyond the clinic. She is a Board Member and the state’s Medical Director for Reach Out and Read Minnesota. She’s been consistently named to Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine’s and Minnesota Monthly magazine’s Top Doctors annual list. In 2020, she received the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Women in Business Honoree award; and in 2023, she received the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Honoree award for Health and Well-Being. She is a Board Member and Vice President of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. She is a member of the National Quality Forum’s Prevention and Population Health Committee. She has two amazing daughters who are changing the world.

Elizabeth Cushing is CEO of Playworks, a national organization dedicated to ensuring access to safe and healthy play for all kids. During her tenure Elizabeth has led Playworks’ scaling strategy, growing from a San Francisco Bay Area-focus to a national organization reaching more than 700,000 children every year. She is an advocate for collaboration amongst youth development organizations and is committed to making sure every kid gets to play every day.

Jessica Driscoll is the Assistant Principal at Marcy School for the Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to her role as an administrator, Jess served as a teacher at the 1st and 2nd grade levels and worked in the capacity of both Instructional Specialist and Literacy Coach. Jess strives to create a school culture that nurtures the whole child while cultivating a strong community of students, staff, and families.

Dr. Arwa K. Nasir, MBBS, MSc, MPH is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the chair of the AAP Committee on the Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. Her research focuses on the impact of family psychosocial wellbeing on child development and behavior, and the incorporation of family science and behavioral health into primary care pediatric practice and residency training. She is also engaged in global health research with a focus on the cross-cultural aspects of behavioral conditions and autism. Dr. Nasir spent the 2019/2020 academic year as a Fulbright scholar in Jordan teaching and researching cross cultural aspects of pediatric behavioral health.

Dr. Michael D. Patrick, Jr. is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also serves as an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and an Attending Physician with the Section of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Patrick hosts the PediaCast and PediaCast CME Podcasts.

2024 Kickball Tournament
2024-07-26 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Lawrence Athletic Fields, Chicago, Illinois
Lace up your sneakers and join us for some nostalgia over green grass and a big red bouncy ball for our annual kickball tournament. The Playworks Illinois Kickball Tournament offers local businesses and individuals the opportunity to give back to their community while enjoying a few hours of play.
The Kickball Tournament will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Lawrence Athletic Fields. The day will include complimentary shirts for all participants, lunch, kickball and opportunities for networking and friendly competition with other area businesses all while serving the kids of Chicago. The winning team will receive plenty of high fives and the coveted Golden Kickball trophy.
Our hope is that each participant walks off the field feeling like a rock star, having played a fun game of kickball while making a valuable contribution to an organization working to reducing bullying and improving the health and well-being of children in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods every day. All event proceeds support Playworks Illinois, which provides increased opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play to more than 19,000 students at over 46 elementary schools and youth organizations.

REGISTER NOW

Become a sponsor

Thriving Through Play
2024-10-23 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | virtual
Get ready for the return of The Game Plan webinar series—now featuring exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Play is an essential part of every child’s development, fostering social skills, creativity, and overall well-being. Learn practical strategies and insights to increase playtime at your school or site and ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit from recess.
We’ll also explore how play can create positive outcomes for kids and contribute to a healthy, engaged learning environment.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Building Positive Relationships with Play
2024-12-03 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | virtual
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Build stronger student-adult connections at recess with practical strategies for fostering positive relationships. We will explore the importance of adult buy-in and how involving adults in different roles can enhance the overall play experience.
With these strategies in place, you will be able to create a play environment where students and staff thrive together.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Adapting Play for Every Space
2025-02-19 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Learn how to make play work in any space, whether indoors, on blacktops or small playgrounds, or in unconventional areas.
This webinar will provide practical strategies to keep kids engaged, safe, and having fun to maximize your available space.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Youth-led Play Shapes Tomorrow’s Leaders
2025-04-16 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Unlock the power of youth-led play and see how it can transform your playground!
In this webinar, you’ll discover strategies to encourage children to be leaders during playtime, fostering creativity, confidence, and teamwork.
The webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will also be recorded for future viewing.
Register
