Playworks New York/New Jersey

Playworks New York/New Jersey Playworks is dedicated to transforming recess to improve children's social skills through engaging play.

We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid in New York and New Jersey.

It takes a team to cross the swamp. 🐊 Alligator Swamp is one of our favorite recess games for building teamwork. Kids ha...
06/04/2026

It takes a team to cross the swamp. 🐊

Alligator Swamp is one of our favorite recess games for building teamwork. Kids have to figure out how to move their whole group across the swamp using only a handful of potato sacks (or hula hoops).

The strategy talk before the game begins is part of the magic. The kids who hang back, the ones who want to take charge, the ones who notice what no one else does: these dynamics play out at recess and kids learn to work through them.

Try it with your class or program: playworks.org/game-library

06/02/2026

Touchdowns, teamwork and tons of smiles! Students from school across Newark, NJ, gathered for our co-ed flag football tournament this past weekend — and the vibes were unmatched. High-fives, cheers, and laughter all around! Shout-out to our Coaches for building skills, building bonds, and making every moment count, on and off the field. 🏈

05/28/2026

The magic of play transcends generations. At schools, in a classroom, on the playground, or at a park, kids and adults feel the joy of play when everyone joins the fun. We love seeing communities bond and folks join the action. Keep the positive energy going!✨

When kids have friends at school, a game they love at recess, and adults who know their name, they're more likely to sho...
05/21/2026

When kids have friends at school, a game they love at recess, and adults who know their name, they're more likely to show up consistently.

A lot of that magic begins at recess, where friendships start and kids learn valuable skills like cooperation and conflict resolution.

Playworks helps elementary schools use recess as a tool to create a welcoming environment that makes kids want to show up and learn. And a 2025 UC Berkeley study found Title I schools with Playworks programming had statistically significant lower chronic absence rates than Title I schools without it.

Want to learn more? Send us a DM!

05/20/2026

Playtime helps kids discover the joys of being active. Playtime is filled with missed catches, silly missteps, and sometimes wildly off-target throws. At Playworks, we model positive communication and teamwork, and encourage students to try new things. We love seeing students laugh when mistakes are made and see them try again, signalling a sense of safety with their peers and a willingness to learn. ☀️

Some kids walk onto the playground unsure of where they fit in. A few months into the Junior Coach Program, those same k...
05/18/2026

Some kids walk onto the playground unsure of where they fit in. A few months into the Junior Coach Program, those same kids are leading games, settling disagreements, and pulling other students into the fun.

That's the magic of Junior Coach. Students in 4th and 5th grade step into real leadership roles at recess, and along the way they pick up skills that follow them well past elementary school: organizing groups, resolving conflict, communicating clearly, managing their time, and modeling what it looks like to show up for your peers.

And maybe the most important thing they learn? That they're capable of more than they thought.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4a0DotN 💜

The 90s are back, and it's making many of us a little nostalgic for childhood classics. From Knockout to Wall Ball to Ca...
05/12/2026

The 90s are back, and it's making many of us a little nostalgic for childhood classics. From Knockout to Wall Ball to Capture the Flag, the games popular when Playworks began in 1996 are just as fun. Check out our latest blog for a little refresher on how to play and share these recess staples with your students: https://bit.ly/4eCzc5XT

05/07/2026

☀️On the playground, teamwork is active, complex, and constantly being tested and rebuilt in real time. At Playworks, we know teamwork isn’t just taught. It also needs to be practiced daily and nurtured. When students play in groups, they have opportunities to try, miss, learn, and then try again. That’s where confidence and connection grow and blossom. Love to see our Junior Coaches support their peers in group settings at recess! Keep shining!✨

05/04/2026

A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.” – Unknown

Sending a Whoosh Clap to all educators who encourage and inspire their students, celebrate their growth, foster connections, and make a lasting impact inside and outside the classroom. We celebrate you!✨🍏🍎

Team culture fuels everyday champions at Playworks—on playgrounds and in after-school programs in New York and New Jerse...
04/22/2026

Team culture fuels everyday champions at Playworks—on playgrounds and in after-school programs in New York and New Jersey. While sports teams chase titles, Playworks pursues a different kind of victory—one measured by how young people feel when they step on the playground. When students feel supported and valued, they are more likely to lead, include others, and build habits that help teams thrive.

👉Read our latest blog on how champions start with play: growing leaders through teamwork: https://bit.ly/4mSJdOA

Address

New York, NY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19175626907

Website

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