Download the Playworks School Re-Opening Workbook

  1. Updates

This is an unprecedented moment for kids, teachers, families, and schools. Re-opening our schools will involve decisions based on incomplete information that must be made in an environment that, at best, would be described as uncertain.

The Playworks School Reopening Workbook is a free resource and workbook aiming to bring a bit of ease to this transition.

This book offers guidance around how infusing play and playfulness into the process can help, and gives you practical tools to try it on.

The workbook is divided into five sections

In each of the first four sections we offer ideas, suggestions, and concrete activities to help you frame the approach your school takes to incorporating the guidance that is being offered by the CDC and your local health authorities.

Download the e-book or audiobook

 


If you enjoy the Workbook, please also check out our founder Jill Vialet’s book Why Play Works: Big Changes Start Small. Read more about it here

ORDER ON AMAZON

Order on Bookshop.org

 

Follow us on Instagram @playworksreopeningworkbook and use #PlayworksReOpeningWorkbook on social media.

More Updates


November 3, 2026

Investing in Attendance: How a Principal and a District Fund Play ›

Key takeaways: Belonging drives attendance. Chronic absenteeism at Chittick Elementary fell from 30% to 25% in one year, and Westside Union’s attendance rate reached 96.3%. Existing dollars can fund play,…

October 22, 2026

How Paying Attention to Recess Improves Student Attendance, and How to Fund It ›

Key Takeaways Belonging drives attendance. Kids show up where they feel they belong, and recess is where every kid can find it. A great recess has… Known games, simple norms,…

September 22, 2026

How Play Teaches Kids and Adults to Use Good Judgement ›

Any time kids play, they make dozens of small judgment calls they may not even notice. Sometimes this looks like settling a disputed call with rock, paper, scissors instead of…