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.
Read our 2021-2022 Impact Report!
Check out all we accomplished in Indiana during the past school year with our 2021-2022 Impact Report.
As we embark on our tenth school year of programming in Indiana this school year, there is a lot to celebrate!
Latest News
September 15, 2022
September Scope and Sequence: Roshambo and Let it go! ›
Ro Sham Bo and Let it go! Playworks’ 10th school year here in Indiana is officially underway! This school year, we will be celebrating this incredible milestone while continuing to focus on leveraging play to bring out the best in every kid every day. Every year our Impact team creates a ‘scope and sequence’ mapping…
August 24, 2022
Meet our 2022-2023 Coaches ›
Meet our 2022-2023 AmeriCorps Coaches Coach Meme (Kamella) School: Robert Frost 106 Favorite recess game: Bridge Ball Fun fact: Coach Meme has 45 pairs of colorful crocs! Coach Lauriah School: George Buck 94 Favorite recess game: Red Rover Fun fact: Lauriah loves to wear hats and considers herself a “jill of…
August 19, 2022
Playworks Indiana 2021-2022 Impact Report ›
For the last 10 years, Playworks Indiana has given kids foundational skills for success on the playground, in the classroom, and in the community. We are the leading organization that leverages play to promote healthy behaviors and increase social and emotional learning, at recess and throughout the school day. Last school year alone, Playworks Indiana…
July 28, 2022
A year of social and emotional learning ›
“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…
Upcoming Events
October 06, 2022
5 Ways to Have a Great Recess Webinar ›
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…
October 06, 2022 @ 9:00 AM
2022 Kickball Tournament ›
Save the date! Our Kickball Tournament is our most popular event of the year! The day is filled with games, drinks, food, and a good time with coworkers. Teams ranging…
Play Leadership Essentials Training for Early Childhood Educators ›
Our two-day virtual, interactive workshop teaches proven strategies to foster a stronger sense of engagement, develop social-emotional skills, and enhance opportunities for physical activity. Taught by professional Playworks trainers, each…
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.
