Playworks Minnesota
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
US Bank
August 28, 2023
Making an impact one recess at a time ›
Recess on the Hill, as it’s known, is hosted by local nonprofit Playworks and was created to raise awareness of the power of play. U.S. Bank executive vice president of consumer lending…
KARE11
June 2, 2023
Recess with a purpose | Beloved guest educator specializes in ‘social play’ ›
Coach Travis Evans is reintroducing kids to skills disrupted because of the pandemic…A program specialist for nonprofit Playworks, Evans shows classrooms how to play games that get more challenging each round. Visits…
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…
August 24, 2021
Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›
Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts,…
Events
October 25, 2023
Playground Mapping 101 ›
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…
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.
