Playworks New England
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
March 16, 2023
Celebrating our AmeriCorps Members during AmeriCorps Week ›
This week is AmeriCorps Week, and we want to take a moment to highlight all of our awesome AmeriCorps Coaches serving in Boston Public Schools every single day. Keep reading to hear the wonderful (and hilarious) things that their students have to say about what makes them great Coach T, Hurley K-8 School “My favorite…
February 28, 2023
Games for middle schoolers ›
If you take a second to remember your middle and high school days, it probably looked different than your elementary school memories. One of the biggest differences between elementary school and middle school is the loss of a dedicated recess time. According to American Educator (2017), 90.6% of fifth graders surveyed have a regularly scheduled…
February 13, 2023
2022-23 Mid Year Report: Expanding and Enhancing ›
Playworks New England programming has continued to expand across New England as we enhance our service models, partnerships, and the ways in which we serve our communities. Your investment in our mission has allowed us to deepen this work and to bring safe and healthy play to thousands of youth across our region, and we…
February 8, 2023
A day in the life of Junior Coach Cattleya ›
At the Mather School, you can find Playworks Junior Coach Cattleya leading her peers in recess games, resolving conflicts at recess, and modeling positive language on the playground. Read more to hear about what a day in her life looks like, and what leadership means to her! At the Mather School where Junior Coach Cattleya…
Upcoming Events


April 05, 2023
Youth Leadership Empowerment ›
Unlock the leadership superpowers of your students. Join us as for the 4th and final webinar of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for…


April 06, 2023 @ 6:30 PM
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament 2023 ›
Join us for a night of competition, networking and impact with Boston’s young professionals and see if you have what it takes to walk away as this year’s Rock Paper…
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.
Contact Us
Playworks New England
1452 Dorchester Avenue, 4th floor
Dorchester MA 02122
t: 617.708.1734
f: 617.849.5791
Support Play
Playworks New England is grateful for the support of our regional movement partners.
A little goes a long way. Help Playworks give children a good start.
