Playworks

Kids are missing out on one of their best chances at learning Bring back outdoor recess!

I wrote about recess, and why kids too often have to spend it inside

Schools in Alaska recently partnered with Playworks to improve positive playground to classroom connections across the school community.

“older students guide younger ones in play, modeling teamwork, responsibility, accountability, & reminding everyone that recess is all about having fun together!”

6 Game Tips for a Strong Start to the School Year The first few weeks of school have a huge impact on how the rest of the year will unfold. One of the easiest and most fun ways you can set the tone for success is through play. By weaving games and in...

The first few weeks of school have a huge impact on how the rest of the year unfolds. One of the easiest & most fun ways you can set the tone for success is through play.

Here are 6 tips to make your recess, classroom transitions, & group activities run smoothly.

www.playworks.org/news/6-game-...

Why Kids Should Experience a Variety of Sports and Games One of the best ways to foster this growth is by creating opportunities for children to sample different sports and games.

Explore more about the importance of letting kids experience different sports and games in our blog: www.playworks.org/news/why-kid...

This @usatoday.com article discusses how sports have become no longer fun for kids, & how parents can re-engage kids by playing with them, inventing new games, and allowing them to explore different sports. Our CEO shares her perspective as a parent & play expert. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Back to School Icebreaker Games Icebreaker games are a great way for students to connect and get to know one another. Help students learn one another’s names, build relationships, and establish a sense of community using these quick...

Icebreaker games are a great way for kids to connect and get to know one another. Help students learn one another’s names, build relationships, and establish a sense of community using these quick and easy to play games! www.playworks.org/news/back-to...

Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman never thought he’d play college football, much less be in the NFL. Now he partners with Playworks to help kids learn and grow through play. Read more in this @usatoday.com article featuring Playworks CEO Elizabeth Cushing: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

Playworks CEO Elizabeth Cushing teamed up with @campfirenhq.bsky.social, Outward Bound, & Children's Funding Project to submit a panel proposal for #SXSWEDU 2026. Vote for "Screen Time vs. Green Time: Reimagine Play in a Digital Age" on the #PanelPicker: participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

#85. What Good is Recess? Here I review some of the many studies showing mental, physical and academic benefits of school recess.

"I’ve spent some time recently delving into a growing research literature examining the effects of recess on kids... The overall results are clear. The more recess kids have...the better they do."

Check out this great article on the benefits of recess!
petergray.substack.com/p/85-what-go...

YouTube video by Playworks Playworks Service: PRO

A few minutes today could get you on track to significantly improve the lives of your students and staff. Schedule a training & prepare staff to establish norms at the beginning of the school year that can positively shape the whole school community's experiences all year.

youtu.be/WhCXXQA1BnU

During their last Junior Coach meeting, Coach Aja's 4th & 5th graders @ Abington Elemntary @nboe.bsky.social
came together to recognize 50 leadership qualities in each other! They shared their thoughts in fun & meaningful ways, ending the year on a high note w.positive affirmation for one another.☀️

10 Games to Get Kids Moving Whether it’s during recess, in the classroom, or at home, active play helps kids stay physically healthy and mentally engaged. It’s more than just a break from routine—it’s a critical part of child de...

Here are 🔟 easy-to-lead games that:
⭐️help get kids moving
⭐️work in a variety of spaces
⭐️require minimal equipment
⭐️can be adjusted for different ages & abilities
www.playworks.org/news/10-game...

Playworks partners with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI and Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition on the Recess Rocks in RI program. This initiative has trained 128+ RI schools, empowering hundreds of educators to improve recess for over 45,000 students.

We asked, “What do you love about recess?”

✔️More time on task
✔️Stronger student learning skills
✔️Engaged learners
✔️Stronger relationships with educators and peers

One strategy to accomplish all of these? Through play!

Looking for new fun and engaging leadership opportunities for your students? Playworks can help! Partner with us to design a youth leadership program unique to your school community. www.playworks.org/news/playwor...

When kids lead, the entire school benefits. Help us expand youth leadership programs to more schools and ensure every child gets the opportunity to play every day.

Donate now: donate.playworks.org/campaign/670...

Your support helps kids like Naya build resilience and become leaders who their peers look up to.

Help more kids grow into confident leaders by joining Playworks in our mission to ensure every kid experiences the benefits of play every day.

Donate now: donate.playworks.org/campaign/670...

Meet Dylan, a 5th grader who went from feeling shy to becoming a role model on the playground.

Through Playworks, kids like Dylan are gaining confidence, leadership skills, and the power to lift others up. Give today and help support young leaders like Dylan: donate.playworks.org/campaign/670...

Kids thrive when they’re given the chance to lead.
In our free webinar on April 16, we’ll show you how youth leadership opportunities can improve recess and help kids build valuable skills. www.playworks.org/resources/th...

#freewebinar #youthleadership #Playworksforeverykid

How Play Fuels Academic Success At Playworks, we’ve seen the benefits of play extend far beyond recess. When kids get to play, it keeps them physically active and helps fuel academic success.

Play isn’t a break from learning—it’s an essential part of the process. Explore how play can support student success in the classroom. www.playworks.org/news/how-pla...

Join us on April 16 for the next webinar in our school connectedness series with @kaiser-permanente.bsky.social Thriving Schools to learn ways to uplift #StudentVoice, encourage student advocacy, and more! www.healthiergeneration.org/app/resource... #EduSky #Teachers #HealthySchools

“Relationships in kids lives are like the roots of a tree. If those roots are strong, then those kids can grow and thrive.” - SearchInstitute

Your words matter. Join our friends at CampFire in celebration of Absolutely Incredible #KidDay®. Tell the young people in your life how amazing they are!

From organizing games to modeling teamwork, kids can be incredible leaders.

Join us April 16 for The Game Plan webinar to learn how to support student leadership opportunities on the playground. www.playworks.org/resources/th...

Join us in celebrating our 49 Playworks AmeriCorps Members who are part of a movement, created a lasting impact in communities nationwide. Whoosh Claps to these dedicated individuals serving in 53 schools & sharing the #powerofplay with thousands of kids everyday. AmeriCorps.gov/AmeriCorpsWeek

Did You Know? Movement breaks are beneficial at all age levels. Elementary students who participate in exercise breaks—squats, jumping jacks, and running in place—are 10 percent more likely to be on-task for the rest of the school day, with students being more “attentive, following instructions, and inhibiting inappropriate actions.” University students who spent five to 10 minutes during a two-hour lecture exercising, meanwhile, experienced “improvements in concentration and alertness” and more camaraderie among students and tutors. Source: Broad et al., 2023; Peiris et al., 2021

Movement breaks are beneficial at all age levels—from elementary up to university! 🏃

#EdResearch #EduSky

Resourceful Play with Minimal Equipment Here are a few of our top tips to make the most of what you already have and spark joy when materials are limited.

No play equipment? No problem!
Check out a few of our top tips to make the most of what you already have and spark joy when materials are limited.

www.playworks.org/news/resourc...

Monday playground vibes with Coach Aja at Abington Elementary School! Kicking off the week with fun, energy, and hula-hoops!

Monday playground vibes with Coach Aja at Abington Ave Elementary School! Kicking off the week with fun, energy, and hula-hoops!

Try these time-saving strategies for boosting your family's movement and physical activity throughout the day: bit.ly/2yJ9FGI 🏃💪

This resource is also available en español: bit.ly/4bi0ISn

#KohlsHealthyAtHome #Movement #Healthy

Sun's out & it’s time to play! We love to see Coach Kevin's 1st & 2nd graders Sussex Ave School zooming around during recess playing Bumper Car Tag, a variation of Hula Tag, where the hula hoops serve as cars. This game brings joy & laughter & provides a fun way for students to release their energy.

Happy Valentine's Day💙

A great game to get all kids moving and hearts pumping today is Everyone's It Tag!

Learn how to play this game, and so many more in our free Game Library. www.playworks.org/game-library...