Updates

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of play! Kids need to play more than ever. This year, Playworks is celebrating our 25th anniversary. That’s 25 years of inclusive games, positive language, high-fives, conflict resolution techniques, skill development, and more. We need your support to continue bringing kids the #powerofplay for the next 25 years.…

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, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…

As kids return to school in person… It may be difficult to keep them physically distant. Although the CDC has updated COVID safety guidance to be a physical distance of 3 feet for students rather than the previous 6 feet, that can still feel like a lot to children. After months away from their friends…

In order to help kids recover from learning loss, we must ensure their emotional needs are met. We need to prioritize every child’s wellbeing, and that starts with acknowledging that many kids are healing from traumas caused by the pandemic, including social, emotional, and physical impacts of COVID-19.  “When children experience stress and trauma, it…

To elementary school leaders and teachers, When offering guidance on school reopening, the CDC and most states don’t specifically provide guidelines for recess. Yet, we know that kids, parents, and educators want to ensure returning to school is safe and feels fun for kids, and that should always include recess, because kids benefit from playing…

In response to the pandemic and greater impact on schools and children, our partners Kaiser Permanente released Planning for the Next Normal at School: Keeping students, staff, and families safe and healthy. The resource provides specific, evidence-informed guidance and operating procedures for keeping school communities mentally and physically safe, improving health in both in-person and…

As more and more schools transition back to in-person learning, we know educators are looking for games that are physically-distant and don’t require equipment. The need for play is more important than ever due to the isolation that our kids have endured during COVID-19. Play encourages creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and other critical social skills. We’ve…

One year ago… All of our partner schools closed their buildings and our work serving kids in schools risked coming to a halt. We knew our mission had to continue. We remained committed to providing opportunities for joy and connection through play for kids in a COVID safe way, regardless if their school was virtual,…

Playworks is bringing the science of learning & development to life through the power of play. All young people have the ability to become their best selves when provided the right experiences, context, and relationships. Play has the power to create those parameters. The American Institutes for Research shared a case study about how Playworks…