About Playworks Minnesota

All kids deserve the social, emotional, and physical benefits of play. We help schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.

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Meet Playworks Minnesota


Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Minnesota in 2010. Playworks Minnesota serves schools across Minnesota through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Minnesota through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.

Meet our Service Partners

Read the Playworks Equity Statement

 

Our Mission


Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Our Vision


Playworks’ vision is that one day every child in America will have access to safe, fun, healthy play every day.

Our Core Values

core values graphic

Every child deserves


• to learn how to be a good friend.

• to feel like a hero.

• a voice.

Playworks outcomes speak for themselves. Last year school principals and teacher reported:


96%more opportunities for inclusion of diverse groups of students.
96%increase in student participation in class activities.
90%decrease in bullying incidents.

Learn more about our Impact

Meet Our People


September 7, 2022

Travis Evans ›

Travis is a passionate youth worker whose primary goal is to help equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in school and beyond. Before joining the Playworks team, Travis…

January 31, 2022

Haley Friel ›

Coach Haley hails from northern California where she spent her childhood days as champion of the handball court. After graduating from Whitman College with a degree in sociology she dug…

September 22, 2017

Shauna McDonald ›

Shauna McDonald is the Executive Director of Playworks Minnesota. In this role, Shauna is responsible for growing Playworks impact and long term sustainability in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South…

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Help us bring out the best in kids—through play.

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