Playworks Northern California

Playworks helps kids stay active and build valuable social and emotional skills through play.

Get Involved

About

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.

Learn more about our impact

group of students

Latest News


August 22, 2023

2022-23 Annual Report ›

We are thrilled to share with you our highlights of the 2022-23 program year and invite you to read our NorCal Annual Report 2022-23. Our dedication to program quality and staff support during the program year allowed us to emerge stronger from the pandemic, making a positive difference in schools and communities, serving 17,301 students…

January 12, 2023

Golden State Warriors Community Foundation & Salesforce partner with Playworks ›

We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Warriors Community Foundation and Salesforce during the 2022-2023 school year. With their support, Playworks Northern California has delivered safe and healthy play to over 41,200 elementary school children of promise this year! Check out this inspiring video showcasing our work together:      

November 16, 2022

2021-22 Annual Report ›

We are excited to share with you a look back at everything we accomplished in the 2021-2022 program year. It was a year focused on rebuilding after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are proud to share that we served 41,200 students in the Northern California Region.  We are thankful for your continued…

July 28, 2022

A year of social and emotional learning ›

“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…

See all News ›

Upcoming Events


Please check back soon for upcoming events.

View all events ›

A Better Recess


Instead of going back to class energized and ready to learn after recess, kids often return upset and unable to focus. We can change this. At a great recess:

Kids are at their best

Kids bring out the best in themselves and each other. They learn the value of fair play, compassion, and respect. They practice key social and emotional skills.

Kids become leaders

They run their own games and settle their disputes quickly (we recommend rock, paper, scissors) because getting along is more fun than fighting.

Kids choose to be active

When all students are included and all students know how to play popular games, every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of active play.

Contact Us


1423 Broadway
PMB 161
Oakland, CA 94612
T: 510.893.4180

         

Support Play

A little goes a long way. Help Playworks give children a good start.

Donate Now

group of students playing