Recess

Education news, analysis, and opinion about breaks from the structured school day for games, play, or socializing

Explainer

Madison Elementary School fifth graders, along with principal Tim Callahan, play a game of gaga ball during recess in 2015, in Wheaton, Ill. The game is a "kinder, gentler" version of dodgeball.
7 Things to Know About School Recess
Why is recess important? Here are 7 findings about recess, the role it plays in the development of children, and how it's evolved over time.
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HOUSTON, TEXASA - MARCH 18: Students play in the playground of Iman Academy Southwest is photographed on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Houston.
Students play in the playground of Iman Academy Southwest on March 18, 2025 in Houston. Across the country, many schools prioritize instructional time over recess—despite research that shows opportunities for play can improve academic performance.
Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Student Well-Being & Movement Skimping on Recess Won't Fix Test Scores, Experts Say
Parent advocates are spreading the research-backed message: Kids need to move during the school day.
Elizabeth Heubeck, September 21, 2026
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5 min read
20260618 AMX US NEWS HOW 30 MINUTES RECESS COULD 1 LA
First and 2nd graders play during a mid-morning recess at William F. Prisk Elementary School in Long Beach, Calif. on May 20, 2026 . The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its recess recommendations this year for the first time in 13 years, recommending a minimum of 20 minutes of recess daily.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times
Student Well-Being & Movement Q&A What Students Lose When Recess Is Squeezed Out of the Schedule
Two professors discuss why recess is not a priority in the education system and equity issues amongst students.
Jennifer Vilcarino, June 23, 2026
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6 min read
Preschool students run on the new cushioned rubber surface while others use the double slide at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025.
Preschool students run on the new cushioned rubber surface while others use the double slide at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025. In Oklahoma, elementary schools will have to provide 40 minutes of recess daily starting this fall.
Brett Phelps for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement 40 Minutes of Recess Is Now the Law in This State
Elementary schools will have to provide 40 minutes of recess, after years of declining time nationwide.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, April 30, 2026
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3 min read
A kindergarten student uses the balance beam during recess at Kingsford Heights Elementary in La Porte, Ind., on Oct. 27, 2025.
A kindergarten student uses the balance beam during recess at Kingsford Heights Elementary in La Porte, Ind., on Oct. 27, 2025. Elementary teachers generally believe recess is important, but there's no consensus on how much per day is ideal, new survey data show.
Elizabeth Bunton/La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP
Student Well-Being & Movement From Our Research Center Do Students Get Enough Recess? What Teachers Think
The EdWeek Research Center surveyed teachers about how much recess their students need, and get.
Elizabeth Heubeck, November 19, 2025
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5 min read
Third graders play Ring Around the Rosie during recess at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., on Oct. 17, 2022.
Third graders play Ring Around the Rosie during recess at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., on Oct. 17, 2022. Researchers say regular, positive recess experiences can boost student learning.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement Download Recess Can Boost Student Learning. 9 Ways to Make It Matter (DOWNLOADABLE)
All kids benefit from regular, positive recess experiences. These steps can make it happen.
Elizabeth Heubeck, September 26, 2025
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1 min read
Students play during recess at Whittier Elementary School on Oct. 18, 2022, in Mesa, Ariz.
Students play during recess at Whittier Elementary School on Oct. 18, 2022, in Mesa, Ariz. A recess expert shares best practices for structuring recess—and calls for more opportunities for students to get outside and play.
Matt York/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement Q&A Getting Recess Right: A Researcher Shares Best Practices
Well-structured recess can improve student learning and well-being, Rebecca London says.
Elizabeth Heubeck, September 18, 2025
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9 min read
Kindergarteners Jack Rockwell, 6, Cameron Kenney, 6, and Joey Cournoyer, 5, play on the school’s new swing as classmates wait their turn at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025.
Kindergarteners Jack Rockwell, 6, Cameron Kenney, 6, and Joey Cournoyer, 5, play on the school’s new swing as classmates wait their turn at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025. The school redesigned its playground to be more accessible, including an wheelchair-friendly swing.
Brett Phelps for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Research Says Recess Is Important. What Stands in the Way?
Recess, and unstructured play, is essential for development for children, but equity issues can abound.
Brooke Schultz, March 21, 2025
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5 min read
Smoke rises from mountain ridges as a wildfire burns while buses sit idle at the high school on Oct. 22, 2020, in Granby, Colo.
Smoke rises from mountain ridges as a wildfire burns near a high school in Granby, Colo., on Oct. 22, 2020, in Granby, Colo.
David Zalubowski/AP
School & District Management Polluted Skies and High Heat Expose School Facility Issues, Threaten Students' Health
Growing threats from climate change place a heavy burden on schools.
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 8, 2023
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4 min read
Fifth graders, from left, Lenorah Hunt, Brooke Clark, and William Shortt, play during recess at Centerville Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va.
Fifth graders, from left, Lenorah Hunt, Brooke Clark, and William Shortt, play during recess at Centerville Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va.
Julia Rendleman for Education Week
School & District Management There Are Smart Ways to Use Time to Aid Learning. Why Do So Many Schools Ignore Them?
While a growing body of research offers best practices for using time wisely in schools, a range of barriers often get in the way.
Alyson Klein, February 25, 2020
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11 min read
First-graders Kavin Prabu, left, and Vasu Selvakumar, select activities from the “recess kit” during a break at Centerville Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va.
First-graders Kavin Prabu, left, and Vasu Selvakumar, select activities from the “recess kit” during a break at Centerville Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va.
Julia Rendleman for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Doubling Recess Time to Put Play Back in the School Day
The Virginia Beach City schools decided to make a big change, doubling the amount of recess the district offered.
Alyson Klein, February 25, 2020
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3 min read
Best-selling author Daniel Pink breaks down how schools can improve the use of time during a keynote address at Education Week’s 2019 Leaders to Learn From event.
Best-selling author Daniel Pink breaks down how schools can improve the use of time during a keynote address at <i>Education Week</i>’s 2019 Leaders to Learn From event.
T.J. Kirkpatrick for Education Week
Teaching How Schools Can Spend Time More Wisely: 4 Big Tips From Daniel Pink
Move heavy thinking to the beginning of the day, make recess sacred, let higher schoolers sleep in, and mandate choir, says the author.
Alyson Klein, May 13, 2019
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6 min read
School Climate & Safety Report Roundup Recess
Longer recess and more adult involvement are a recipe for getting students more active during recess, finds a new study in the journal Preventative Medicine Reports.
Sarah D. Sparks, August 28, 2018
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1 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement The Secret to a More Active Recess? Get the Adults Involved, Research Says
Extending recess may encourage students to be more physically active throughout the period, a new study finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, August 21, 2018
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2 min read
Professional Development A Multimillion Grant to Repurpose Recess
Thanks to a $4.5 million grant, the nonprofit Playworks will expand opportunities for purposeful play to more than 130,000 kids in 350 schools in southeast Michigan and western New York.
Brenda Iasevoli, August 9, 2018
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2 min read