New two-year commitment will expand access to play for up to 5,000 students daily and introduce a game-creation program focused on creativity, leadership and connection through play.
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BOSTON (October 13, 2026) – Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, today announced an expanded two-year partnership with Playworks New England, a nonprofit that brings safe, inclusive play into schools, to bring Hasbro’s expertise in games and play to students across Greater Boston. As a Signature Sponsor, Hasbro will support Playworks’ direct-service programming across 10 Greater Boston schools, reaching up to 5,000 students daily. The company will also serve as the exclusive sponsor of “Invent a Game,” a new initiative that will engage approximately 120 fourth- and fifth-grade students through Playworks’ Junior Coach Leadership Program.
To kick off the expanded partnership, Sarah Knott, Hasbro’s Director of Philanthropy joined Playworks leadership, Coaches and fourth- and fifth-grade students at the Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester for a recess celebration. With support from Playworks Coaches, students explained the rules, demonstrated how to play and led Hasbro and classmates through four square, rock-paper-scissors and other playground games. The gathering introduced the students’ new roles in helping organize games and welcome peers into play, responsibilities they will develop through the Junior Coach Leadership Program.
Hasbro’s mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. As Hasbro grows its presence in Boston, the company is building on its existing community work to support children and families and strengthen local connections.
“We want our investment in the Boston community to reflect what we do best: bringing people together through play,” said Sarah Knott, Director of Philanthropy. “Playworks shares our belief that play can help people connect, learn and thrive. Through this partnership, we’re bringing those benefits to more students and giving young people the opportunity to move from players to creators through Invent a Game.”
Hasbro has supported Playworks’ Active Indoor Recess Kits, which bring Hasbro games and play-based resources to schools across Boston, southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2024.
Playworks believes in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. The program creates a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect and have fun. Through rigorous, external evaluations, Playworks has proven their program gets kids more active, ready to learn, and to build stronger relationships. Playworks has served Boston schools for 20 years. During the 2025–26 school year, the organization reached approximately 60,000 students across more than 150 schools throughout New England.
“We are so grateful to partner with Hasbro to inspire joy and connection to thousands of kids in Boston through the power of play and great recess,” said Max Fripp, Executive Director, Playworks New England. “Through this partnership, we will launch Invent A Game, where fourth- and fifth-grade Playworks Junior Coaches will design, test, and lead original playground games. Along the way, they’ll build creativity, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will help them succeed on the playground, in the classroom, and one day in workplaces like Hasbro.”
Invent a Game will guide Junior Coaches through the full game-creation process. Students will identify challenges around play and inclusion, imagine original games, develop and test prototypes, refine their designs and ultimately lead their peers in playing the games they have created.
Hasbro employees will contribute their expertise in games, creativity and design as mentors, judges and skills-based volunteers throughout the process. The experience is designed to help students build confidence, strengthen collaboration and develop problem-solving and inclusive leadership skills.
Invent a Game will culminate in a June 2027 showcase, where Junior Coaches will present and lead their games, putting their creativity and leadership into action.
The two-year partnership will extend beyond Invent a Game, with Play Days, employee volunteer opportunities, playground projects and mentoring throughout the school year.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Monopoly, Hasbro Games, Nerf, Transformers, Play-Doh and Peppa Pig, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, a 2026 JUST Capital Industry Leader, a Brand that Matters by Fast Company, and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50 for fourteen consecutive years. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or follow Hasbro on LinkedIn.
About Playworks New England
Playworks New England helps schools build communities where every child can experience the benefits of safe, healthy, and inclusive play. Through direct service and professional development programs, Playworks partners with schools to strengthen school climate, foster positive peer relationships, and help students develop leadership and social-emotional skills. Programs such as the Junior Coach leadership program empower students to become role models for their peers while creating more welcoming and inclusive school communities. As part of a national nonprofit organization, Playworks New England works alongside educators and school partners to ensure that play is a meaningful part of every child’s school day. For more information, please visit: Playworks.org/NewEngland.
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Media Contacts
For Hasbro: Aidan MacAdam, Elevate Communications, amacadam@elevatecom.com, (857) 507-5143
For Playworks: Kelly Wright, Hollywood Agency, kelly@hollywoodagency.com, (267) 970-5204
