Playworks Utah

Playworks believes in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. 

Recess isn’t just a break from concentrated learning; when intentional, recess can offer cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits for Utah students. 

Despite the significant evidence of playtime’s value, many Utah schools face challenges in leveraging recess to support students’ learning and development. In Utah, 86% of children are missing out on the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Nationally, students spend less than 50% of recess actively engaged. Recess without support often leads to kids returning to class frustrated and disengaged from their learning. 

Without meaningful play, students miss out on a key opportunity to connect with peers, find joy in movement, and learn valuable skills, such as resilience, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

When recess is approached with the same level of thoughtful planning as instructional time, playtime becomes an extension of the classroom, offering hands-on learning experiences for kids. With Playworks, students channel their energy into games and learning new sports. When conflict arises, kids are equipped to resolve conflict independently with rock, paper, scissors. Junior Coaches, 4th and 5th-grade volunteers, practice leadership by facilitating games for younger grades. Educators report that with Playworks, students spend less time in the principal’s office and more time engaged at recess. 87% of educators report that students develop the skills to succeed in the classroom through Playworks. We help students return to class ready to learn, recovering over 21 hours of instructional time. 

When schools have Playworks, kids play hard, cheer loudly, and high-five. Through playtime, we build a foundation of healthy habits, skills, and friendships that support students in and beyond the classroom. Join us in our mission to improve children's health and well-being by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. 

Your support helps Playworks train Utah educators and directly benefits over 30,000 Utah kids.