Happier schools

  1. Updates
  2. Building Community
  3. Happy Kids

Using play to develop students’ social skills and improve positive school culture

Happy schools support student learning. In order to create happy schools, we must consider how to create an environment where kids want to attend, participate, and succeed. By focusing on improving recess, Playworks is able to do just that.

“Playworks has enabled us to have more laughter and less fear, more players and less spectators, more encouragement and less put-downs, more order and less chaos, and more confidence and less uncertainty. Above all, Playworks has brought us less frowns and more smiles,” said Principal Michael Aaronian at Lupine Hills Elementary School in California.

study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, found that Playworks led to a fundamental positive shift in community building in just one school year. The study also noted that a positive atmosphere has been linked to a host of favorable student outcomes, from attendance to achievement.

Playworks strengthens the skill development of children by including and engaging every child in play. Our programming also restores valuable teaching time and increases physical activity, contributing to an environment that is conducive for youth to thrive.

More Updates


July 21, 2026

5 Large Group Games That Teach Kids to Look Out for Each Other ›

The bigger the game, the bigger the fun! Large group games are a great way to get lots of students active at the same time. That makes them especially valuable…

July 16, 2026

The Post-Pandemic Attendance Crisis (And How Recess Can Help) ›

We all knew the pandemic threw a wrench into school routines, but a new study published by the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University reveals just how stubborn the…

June 17, 2026

Building Respect, One Game at a Time ›

Respect is the foundation of healthy relationships, strong communities, and positive learning environments. Yet it isn’t a skill children develop simply because adults tell them it’s important. Like teamwork and…