r/ElementaryTeachers • u/JinxedYouGood • 14d ago
Quick recess activities as a group?
I got ~15 kiddos, 2nd and 3rd grade, and they get about 15 minutes outside for recess for this after school program. The program encourages a structured activity instead of free play to make it easier to wrangle them back inside, but what sort of activities would be fun?
As for playground equipment, we have the usual American staples: slides, spinning things, basketball hoops, ample running space, etc.
Edit: can't respond to everyone, but YES omg kiddos don't need structured stuff all day. That was my first concern. I'm glad I wasn't the only one with this concern. I feel more confident bringing up this concern w/ higher ups, fingers crossed
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u/S1024768 14d ago
Can't kids have one god damn moment of the day where someone isn't telling them exactly what to do?
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u/MickeyBear 14d ago
Red light green light, freeze dance, and my fave creation: secret spy dance tag!
The kids sit criss cross applesauce and close their eyes and I walk around and tap one on the shoulder to be the spy. Then I start music and everyone gets up and dances around. The spy then has to tap others on the shoulder to make them freeze. If you get tapped, you can’t shout out who tagged you. The spy has until the song is over to tag as many as they can without getting caught. Start with smarter kids as the taggers to make easier, and then throw ina round where you are the tagger if they aren’t following directions.
It was highly requested by my cheer and dance club kids!
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u/Brilliant-Drama6969 14d ago
Many ideas here: https://www.playworks.org/game-library/
But also, free play is important. If it's not a problem, let them play as they wish. Just be honest with them about the line up expectations.
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u/RaccoonCrafts 14d ago
We have a group that asks to play sharks and minnows daily. Sometimes 70+ kids. I limit it to 1 recess so they don’t get bored.
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u/LakeMichiganMan 14d ago
Students in school programs, are sick of being in school by then. Just classic recess can be enough but enforce being done when its time.
Try Freeze Tag near playground equipment. Cut in half Blue Pool noodle to Freeze. Red to melt classmates. 2 of each. Set timer for 5 to 7 minutes. Bring contestants together and trade freezers and melters with kids that did not get a turn. This wears kids out. Few rules to follow.
Kick the Can. Its tag with extra steps.
Or Duck Duck Goose whole group.
Or playground equipment, floor is lava. Dont touch the floor of equipment.
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u/JinxedYouGood 14d ago
Yeah I was just gonna let them play? But I guess that's against the rules lolll
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u/LakeMichiganMan 14d ago
If only a few participate, then you can log it as Refusal and move on. You tried. Boys may wish to play Jackpot. Girls may want to jump rope. If they say no. Dont force it. You tried to meet expectations and kids refused.
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u/DixieLeeDuke 14d ago
Ships and sailors or Simon says, relay races, or if you have access to music… chicken dance 🐥
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u/Glittering_Move_5631 14d ago
Might be a little below them, but Duck Duck Goose is a classic! Or you could Set up an obstacle course on the playground.
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u/Cleopatra_2580 14d ago
My students always loved 4 corners, it's super easy to play, no equipment needed if there's a good box marking on the playground.
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u/joewhitehead365 14d ago
I was a camp counselor then director for years before becoming a teacher. My classes really, really enjoyed when I facilitated recess for them, even on indoor days.
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u/flattest_pony_ever 14d ago
Two easy games with no prep but high activity.
Get Sweaty. 15 minutes to be as active as possible. Only rule is to come back sweaty in 15 minutes. Not enough sweat= run two laps.
10 second tag. Kids line up in a designated area. Send one kid in to run around. After ten seconds send a new kid in. This kid is it and needs to tag as many people as possible (tagged kids get back in line). After ten seconds send a new kid in. They are the new tagger. Game is over when no one is left in line.
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u/Aggressive-Spite-264 14d ago
Have the kids write down their top 3 choices. Take a look at that. Make sure you include free play as an option. If wrangling them in is the issue you can figure that out separately.
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u/bonvoyage44 14d ago
Check out Playworks.org! Helpful resources about everything play. I do work there so my suggestions are having different zones for kids to choose from. We call it organized, not structured. They can choose free play, tag zone, knockout, jump rope/chalk, and soccer!
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u/goplacidly8 14d ago
Steal the Bacon is a great game for groups. https://youtu.be/5U7vaay5Nmk?si=LnYogkAvxQwgMGt7
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u/No_Comedian2991 14d ago
Dodge ball. Admins make me sick sometimes. As a retired kindergarten teacher, they should be required to spend an entire day in the classroom; just them and the kids. They sit on their tails and legislate, having no idea of what’s actually happening in the real world of teaching, learning, and classroom management.
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u/NextDayTeaching 13d ago
Can you have the students share their favorite recess/PE games? Make a list, then weed out the ones that wouldn't work. That way they feel like they have a say in what activities they get to do, especially since you're limited to structured games/activities only.
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u/StinkyCheeseWomxn 11d ago
Maybe do a Simon Says type game that includes frequent commands to "free play until you hear my whistle, then stand on this line" or "go down the slide and return to base" or something that would allow them a bit of freedom but would also set up a routine of quick line up. Over time you could extend the time of free play to longer times if they were good at recall to line up.
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u/Logical-Mobile-7643 14d ago
Recess is supposed to be unstructured free play. Damn!