Why Partner with Playworks?
Playworks helps community-based organizations develop meaningful daily play opportunities for youth while also building staff confidence and leadership skills. Our training supports teams of all sizes and experience levels with practical strategies for managing games, downtime, and transitions, so staff feel prepared and empowered.
Whether training seasonal staff or supporting seasoned professionals, your staff will gain skills to:
- Lead engaging, age-appropriate play
- Manage downtime, transitions, and behavior
- Build positive adult/youth relationships
- Adapt activities to fit different spaces and needs
- Strengthen leadership and facilitation skills
Core Offerings
Consultative Support
- On-site observation, modeling, and coaching from Playworks experts.
- Leadership check-ins to support alignment and program success.
- Action plan and debrief outlining strategies to sustain a positive recess culture.
Staff Training
- Choose from tailored sessions like The Power of Play, Group Management, Game Facilitation, Indoor Play Design, and Youth Leadership
- Build staff adaptability and flexibility by encouraging play in any environment.
- Prepare staff with a toolbox of games for a variety of scenarios and best practices for facilitation.
- Boost engagement and fun in any program area by incorporating play-based strategies into existing lesson plans.
- Implement systems during free time to reduce conflict and increase participation.
- Learn about our certification program, TagTeam
Online Learning
- SparkPlay: A digital platform with on-demand access to games, guided learning paths, discussion spaces, and curated weekly resources to support play.
- Gametime Playbook: Ready-to-use lesson plans that help staff confidently lead games and keep kids active, engaged, and learning through play.
“Our Y Staff consists of a mixed group of ages and abilities and yet our Playworks trainer was able to actively engage each and every staff member in our workshop. We can’t wait for the next one!”
– Eden O’Brien-Brenner, Irvin Deutsches Family YMCA
Benefits for Partners
Engaged and Active Kids
94% of Playworks partners’ staff believe our program increases the number of kids engaged in physical activity with their peers.
Connected Community
98% of Playworks training participants agreed they learned new strategies to promote a welcome environment for all kids.
Relationship Building and Conflict Resolution