Key elements of a quality recess program:

• Provide at least 20 minutes of recess every day for all students, preferably before lunch and outdoors.
• Teach positive playground expectations.
• Create universal participation by offering multiple activities at recess.
• Map the playground to designate different areas of play.
• Provide equipment to increase participation and to decrease congestion on play structures.
• Provide group games, led and supervised by adults, to actively engage students and help build social skills
• Provide adequate staff training for recess.

Active Recess Resources

• Increasing Physical Activity Through Recess (Active Living Research website)
• The Potential of Safe, Secure and Accessible Playgrounds to Increase Children’s Physical Activity (Active Living Research website)
• Play to Learn: Active Recess Through Systematic Supervision. A guide to promote active, safe and fun recess(Minneapolis Public Schools website)
• Recess Revival - An Implementation Guide to an Active Recess (Active Schools Ontario website)