Recess Games for Elementary Students

Recess is a vital part of the school day, offering children a much-needed break from academics and a chance to engage in physical activity and social interaction. Recess games for elementary students help develop physical and social skills and provide a fun and engaging way to spend their free time. Learn more about a variety of recess games tailored to different grade levels, ensuring that all students can participate and enjoy their recess time. Of course, the BEST recess game is free play, but sometimes, we all know that students need some direction.  Here are a few ideas for the next time a group of kids are looking for different activities.

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Recess Games for Kindergarten

Kindergarteners thrive on simple, fun activities that allow them to run around and use their imagination. Here are some great options:

• Duck, Duck, Goose: Children sit in a circle while one walks around, tapping others on the head saying “duck” until they say “goose,” prompting a chase around the circle. Younger students LOVE this game!
• Simon Says: One student leads, giving commands prefaced with “Simon says.” If a command is given without “Simon says,” and the rest of the students follow it, they’re out.
• Follow the Leader: Children mimic the actions of the leader, from jumping and running to making silly faces.
• Red Light, Green Light: One student calls out “green light” for others to run and “red light” to make them stop. If caught moving on “red light,” they return to the start.
• Freeze Dance: Children dance when the music plays and freeze when it stops. Anyone caught moving after the music stops is out.

Recess Games for First Grade

First graders are full of energy and ready to play. Here are some games that are perfect for this age group:

• Musical Chairs: Set up one less chair than the number of players. When the music stops, children must find a chair. The one left standing is out.
• Hopscotch: Draw a hopscotch grid with chalk. Players toss a marker and hop through the squares, skipping the one with the marker.
• Four Square: Draw a large square divided into four smaller squares. Players bounce a ball between squares, trying to get others out by making difficult passes.
• Shadow Tag: Instead of tagging bodies, players tag shadows, promoting creativity in movement.
• Sardines: A reverse hide-and-seek game where one person hides and everyone else seeks. When someone finds the hider, they join them until only one seeker is left.

Recess Games for Second Grade

Second graders are beginning to develop more complex motor skills and enjoy a variety of games. Here are some fun options:

• Freeze Tag: One player is “it” and tags others to freeze them. Frozen players can be unfrozen by others crawling through their legs.
• Relay Races: Teams race to complete tasks like carrying a beanbag on a spoon or hopping in a sack.
• Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for children to find around the playground, encouraging exploration and teamwork.
• Hula Hoop Contest: See who can keep the hula hoop spinning the longest.
• Treasure Hunt: Hide small objects around the playground and provide clues for children to find them.

Recess Games for Third Grade

Third graders enjoy more structured games that involve strategy and teamwork. Here are some great games for this age group:

• Capture the Flag: Two teams each have a flag. The objective is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your side without being tagged.
• Kick the Can: One player guards a can while others hide. The hiders attempt to kick the can without being tagged by the guard.
• Red Rover: Two lines of children call one from the other line to run and break through their linked hands. If successful, they take someone back to their line.
• Blob Tag: Once tagged, a player joins hands with the “it” player, forming a blob. The blob grows as more players are tagged.
• Silent Ball: Players toss a ball to each other without speaking. If someone makes a noise or drops the ball, they’re out.

Recess Games for Fourth Grade

Fourth graders are developing more advanced physical and social skills and enjoy games that challenge them. Here are some great options:

• Steal the Bacon: Two teams line up opposite each other with an object (the bacon) in the middle. Each player is given a number. When their number is called, they race to grab the bacon and get it back to their side without being tagged.
• Human Knot: Players stand in a circle, grab hands with people not next to them, and try to untangle themselves without letting go of hands.
• Tug of War: Two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, trying to bring a marker in the middle to their side.
• Rock Paper Scissors Tag: One person is it, if you get tagged you play Rock Paper Scissors – if you lose you are it now!
• Obstacle Course: Set up a course with various challenges like crawling under ropes, hopping over cones, and balancing on beams.
• Kick the Can: One player guards a can while others hide. The hiders attempt to kick the can without being tagged by the guard.

Recess Games for Fifth Grade

Fifth graders are ready for more complex and competitive games. Here are some great options:

• Ghost in the Graveyard: Similar to hide-and-seek. One person hides while others seek. When the hider is found, they shout “Ghost in the Graveyard!” and everyone races back to home base.
• Blind Man’s Bluff: One blindfolded player tries to tag others who can move but must stay within a certain area.
• Human Tic-Tac-Toe: Create a large tic-tac-toe grid with tape. Players are the pieces and must strategize to win.
• Bean Bag Tic Tac Toe: Throw different colored bean bags onto a large board.
• Four Corners: One player stands in the middle and counts to ten while players move to different corners. The middle player calls a corner number, and anyone in that corner is out.

Recess Games for Sixth Grade

Sixth graders enjoy games that are challenging and require strategy and teamwork. Here are some great options:

• Sharks and Minnows: One player is the shark, standing in the middle while minnows line up on one end. The goal is for minnows to cross to the other side without being tagged.
• Alaskan Baseball: Played with a soft ball. One team throws the ball and runs around a circle of players, scoring points. The fielding team retrieves the ball and tries to stop the runners.
• Capture the Flag: Still a favorite, encouraging strategy and teamwork with more complex rules.
• Human Knot: Players stand in a circle, grab hands with people not next to them, and try to untangle themselves without letting go of hands.
• Silent Ball: Players toss a ball to each other without speaking. If someone makes a noise or drops the ball, they’re out.

Inclusive Recess Games for Elementary Students

Creating an inclusive environment during recess is crucial for ensuring that all students can participate and enjoy their free time. Here are some inclusive recess games for elementary students:

1. Parachute Games: Perfect for students of all ages and abilities. Children can work together to bounce balls, create waves, and play various games using a large parachute.
2. Scavenger Hunts: Tailored to different ability levels, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.
3. Simon Says: A simple game that can be adapted for all students.
4. Obstacle Courses: Modified to accommodate different abilities, encouraging physical activity.
5. Group Storytelling: Encourages creativity and social interaction. Each student adds a sentence to a story, creating a collaborative narrative.
6. Freeze Dance: A fun game that involves music and movement, perfect for students of all abilities.
7. Buddy Systems: Pairing students together to play different games can help ensure everyone is included and has a good time.
8. Relay Races: Adapted to include tasks suitable for all abilities, such as passing a baton or carrying a soft ball.
9. Treasure Hunts: Create a list of items that are accessible for all students to find, encouraging teamwork and exploration.
10. Beanbag Toss: Players aim to throw beanbags into different targets, which can be adjusted for various skill levels.
11. Story Circle: Students take turns adding to a story, encouraging creativity and participation from everyone.
12. Yoga: Simple yoga poses can be a great way to include everyone in a calming physical activity.
13. Animal Walks: Students imitate different animals’ walks, promoting fun and physical activity for all.
14. Inclusive Tag: Modify tag rules to ensure everyone can participate, such as having multiple “safe” zones.
15. Silent Ball: This game encourages concentration and hand-eye coordination without needing much movement.
16. Pass the Hoop: Students stand in a circle and pass a hula hoop around without breaking the chain of hands.
17. Mirror Movements: In pairs, one student makes movements while the other mirrors them, fostering cooperation and focus.
18. Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon instead of a ball, making it easier and safer for all students to participate.
19. Group Puzzles: Large puzzles can be solved together, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.
20. Bubble Blowing: Simple and fun for all ages and abilities, encouraging outdoor play.
21. Nature Walks: Guided walks around the playground to observe nature and learn about the environment.
22. Dance Party: Play different types of music and encourage everyone to dance, promoting movement and fun.
23. Parachute Tag: Use a parachute to play a gentle game of tag, where students run under the parachute to avoid being tagged.
24. Beanbag Balance: Have students balance beanbags on their heads while walking through a simple course, promoting balance and coordination.
25. Group Art Projects: Provide materials for a large, collaborative art project that everyone can contribute to, fostering creativity and teamwork.

Incorporating a Variety of Games into Recess

Recess is not just about running around and playing tag; it’s an opportunity to engage students in a variety of games and activities that cater to different interests and skill levels. Here are some ideas to make recess fun and inclusive for all elementary school students:

Board Games and Card Games

Board games and card games are excellent for indoor recess activities, especially on rainy days or during inclement weather. They help develop fine motor skills, strategic thinking, and social interaction. Setting up a game station in the corner of the room with popular board games like Chess, Checkers, or Uno can keep students engaged.

• Chess: Encourages strategic thinking and patience.
• Checkers: A classic game that teaches planning and forethought.
• Uno: A fun and fast-paced card game that’s perfect for small groups.

Small Group Games and Brain Breaks

Small group games are great for fostering teamwork and communication among students. These activities can be done indoors and are perfect for providing brain breaks during indoor recess time.

• Eraser Tag: Played with a small group of students, one person is “it” and tries to tag others with a soft eraser or pool noodle.
• Treasure Hunter: A scavenger hunt game where students search for hidden items around the classroom.
• Group Storytelling: Each student adds a sentence to a story, promoting creativity and teamwork.

Active Games for Indoor and Outdoor Recess

For active games, jump ropes and balls are versatile and can be used in various ways to keep kids moving and having fun. These games are perfect for indoor and outdoor recess time, offering great options for physical activity.

• Jump Rope: Students can jump solo or participate in group jumping challenges.
• Nerf Ball: A safe and fun way to play indoor soccer or dodgeball.
• Beach Ball Volleyball: Using a beach ball for a lighter and safer version of volleyball indoors.

Incorporating Educational Games

Educational games can be seamlessly integrated into recess to reinforce learning in a fun way. These games can cover subjects like social studies and math, making recess a time for both play and learning.

• Math Manipulatives: Use items like counting blocks or abacuses to create fun math games.
• Word Searches: These are great for developing language arts skills and can be tailored to different grade levels.

The Benefits of Diverse Recess Activities

Recess games for elementary students are not just about having fun; they play a crucial role in the development of important skills. Active games provide a great way to burn off energy and stay healthy, while board games and educational activities reinforce learning. By incorporating a variety of games and activities into recess, educators can ensure that every student finds something they enjoy and benefits from the power of play.

Benefits of Recess Games Overall

Recess games for elementary students provide numerous benefits beyond just fun. According to various sources, recess is essential for children’s development. It helps improve physical fitness, social skills, and cognitive function. Playing games during recess allows children to take a break from structured learning and engage in unstructured play, which is crucial for their overall development.

Recess is a great opportunity for elementary students to engage in physical activity, develop social skills, and take a break from academics. By providing a variety of recess games for different grade levels, we can ensure that all students have a chance to participate and enjoy their free time. Whether it’s a classic game like Simon Says or a team-building activity like Capture the Flag, there are plenty of options to keep kids active and engaged during recess.

More Ideas

For more ideas on indoor recess games and the benefits of recess, check out these posts:

• Indoor Recess Games for Elementary Students
• Why is Recess Important
• Benefits of Recess for Executive Function
• Do Kids Need Recess? Heck Yes, and Here is Why
• Recess Supervision Checklist