Playworks helps kids to stay active and build valuable life skills through play

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What a Better Recess Does

Conflict Resolution

Recess doesn’t have to be chaotic. At a better recess, kids acquire tools to work out disagreements and differences.

Leadership Skills

When they’re playing amongst their peers, kids have a valuable opportunity to develop a sense of fairness, confidence, and communication.

Academic Success

Kids who are engaged during recess are more likely to participate in class, which means better attendance and better grades.

Updates

Supporting Student Mental Health Through Play ›

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Playworks and the American Academy of Pediatrics teamed up for a special webinar exploring the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health and…

SparkPlay logo

Introducing SparkPlay presented by Playworks ›

Playworks is thrilled to announce the launch of a new learning tool. SparkPlay is Playworks’ subscription-based, online resource supports the continuous learning of safe and healthy play for school and…

coach and kids playing jumprope

Careers ›


Join our team! Playworks is changing the way children experience school every day by leveraging the power of safe and healthy play. Our core values of inclusion, respect, healthy community, and healthy play are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work, including recruiting and retaining the best talent we can.

Playworks Near You

FL TX NM AZ AK CA NV UT CO OR WA ID HI OK MT WY ND SD NE KS MN IA MO AR LA MS AL GA SC IL WI MI IN OH TN KY NC WV VA PA NY ME VT NH RI CT NJ DE MD MA DC
Alabama

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Alabama 

Alaska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Alaska.

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Arizona

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20,000

Kids served in Arizona in the last year

Arkansas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Arkansas.

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California

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334,652

Kids Reached in California in the last year

Colorado

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59,170

Kids Reached in colorado in the last year

Connecticut

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Connecticut.

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Delaware

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Delaware.

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District of Columbia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in District of Columbia.

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Florida

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Florida

Georgia

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Georgia

Hawaii

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Hawaii.

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Idaho

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Idaho.

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Illinois

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82,277

Kids Reached in Illinois in the last year

Indiana

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48,407

Kids Reached in Indiana in the last year

Iowa

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Iowa.

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Kansas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kansas.

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Kentucky

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Kentucky.

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Louisiana

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Playworks offers trainings and support in Louisiana

Maine

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99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

Maryland

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Maryland.

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Massachusetts

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99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

Michigan

Connect with the Playworks team in Michigan.


77,916

Kids Reached in Michigan in the last year

Minnesota

Connect with the Playworks team in Minnesota.


39,648

Kids Reached in Minnesota in the last year

Mississippi

Connect with the Playworks team in the Southeast.


Playworks offers trainings and support in Mississippi 

Missouri

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Missouri.

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Montana

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Montana.

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Nebraska

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nebraska.

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Nevada

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Nevada.

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New Hampshire

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99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

New Jersey

Connect with the Playworks team in New Jersey.


96,309

Kids Reached in New Jersey in the last year

New Mexico

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in New Mexico.

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New York

Connect with the Playworks team in New York.


96,309

Kids Reached in New York in the last year

North Carolina

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Playworks offers trainings and support in North carolina 

North Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in North Dakota.

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Ohio

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Ohio.

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Oklahoma

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Oklahoma.

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Oregon

Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.


31,713

Kids served in the Pacific Northwest in the last year

Pennsylvania

Connect with the Playworks team in Pennsylvania.


44,279

Kids Reached in Pennsylvania in the last year

Rhode Island

Connect with the Playworks team in New England.


99,975

Kids Reached in New England in the last year

South Carolina

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Playworks offers trainings and support in South carolina 

South Dakota

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in South Dakota.

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Tennessee

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Playworks offers trainings and support in Tennessee

Texas

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Texas.

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Utah

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52,722

Kids Reached in Utah in the last year

Vermont

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Vermont.

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Virginia

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Playworks offers trainings and support in Virigina

Washington

Connect with the Playworks team in the Pacific Northwest.


31,713

Kids served in the Pacific Northwest in the last year

West Virginia

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in West Virginia.

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Wisconsin

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55,392

Kids Reached in Wisconsin in the last year

Wyoming

Playworks happily offers trainings and support in Wyoming.

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Over 2 Million

Children reacheD in 3,000+ Schools

Playworks has been ensuring children experience safe, healthy play every day for over 25 years. Click on your state to explore what Playworks is doing near you.

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Elementary students with strong social and emotional skills are . . .


54%more likely to graduate from high school
2xmore likely to attain a college degree
46%more likely to have a full-time job by age 25

Recess is a natural learning lab for important life skills. Learn about our impact ›

Stories


Global Recess Alliance logo
Global Recess Alliance logo

May 15, 2020

Recess is Necessary ›

Researchers agree: it’s important to prioritize recess in how schools approach re-opening. The research community has come together to establish the Global Recess Alliance in an effort to bring attention…

kids with Coach Hoops
kids with Coach Hoops

April 26, 2019

Stories from the Playground: Coach Hoops ›

It’s not every day that a Playworks #AmeriCorps Coach is honored by the Los Angeles Lakers, complete with a basketball clinic hosted by legendary forward A.C. Green. Then again, being…

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News


November 20, 2024

Building a Foundation for Change ›

Inequities touch every corner of our society, affecting both adults and kids, with consequences that are often long-lasting. For positive change to occur, we must understand each other and work…

October 21, 2024

Why Kids Should Experience a Variety of Sports and Games ›

Childhood is a time of exploration, where kids can try new things, discover hidden talents, and develop critical life skills. One of the best ways to foster this growth is…

September 20, 2024

Adapting Play for Varying Abilities ›

A 5th grade student had Brittle Bone Disease, a rare condition where his bones are fragile and prone to fracture. In his four years at the elementary school, he had…

August 20, 2024

The Power of Norms ›

As students return back to school, setting norms becomes essential in easing the transition. Shared norms are important throughout the school day, from the classroom to the playground and even…

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