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
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…
January 5, 2023
Mid Year Impact Report ›
Playworks Indiana is excited to share our Mid Year Impact Report with you! In this Impact Report you can find our impact numbers so far this year, an update our All IN Sports League, an insight to our Tag Team pilot with the Boys and Girls Club, and our recent case study on our Junior…
December 19, 2022
Building Skill Through Play: Managing Disappointment and Teaching Positive Body Language ›
It’s the holiday season! Schools and Playworks are counting down the days until winter break, but first we’re focusing on managing disappointment and teaching positive body language. We all know that it can be incredibly easy to get swept up in the negative emotions a disappointment brings because our expectations were not met. For kids,…
November 30, 2022
Building Skill Through Play: Successful Game Participation ›
At Playworks, games are integral to what we do and in order to have a successful game, you need student engagement and participation. This November, our teams leaned into the skill of successful game participation, recognizing that game participation is about uplifting fun for all participants, not just individuals or game winners. For young learners,…
Upcoming Events
February 01, 2023
Get Groups Engaged Through Play ›
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…
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.
