25 Recess Games

Recess is a great opportunity for elementary school kids to try out new games that will encourage interaction, expend energy and build skills. Plus, teachers can get to know their students in new and fun ways. Let's take a look at 25 recess games to keep in your back pocket and use all year long when recess hits a lull.

1. Parachute Games - If you don't already have a parachute, grab one! You can elevate the typical parachute games by adding a beach ball on top that kids can work together to keep on the parachute. Or, add several smaller balls to make it even more of a challenge.
2. Mannequin Tag - This version of tag has the added element of the leader/teacher designating how everyone moves (running, skipping, hopping, walking, etc.) If a player gets tagged, they become a mannequin. To come back to life, another player must give them a double high five. Using a high five to unfreeze someone eliminates the concern for hard tagging that could push or hurt a player.
3. Tunnel Tag - Similar to mannequin tag, but this time, when a player is tagged, they freeze with their legs open in a tunnel shape. To free them, another player crawls through their legs from the front.
4. Museum Night Janitor - In this game, everyone poses like a statue. The janitor player moves around pointing their flashlight at the statues. If the statue moves or laughs, they go to a designated area where they have to do five jumping jacks before rejoining the game. This game works great indoors during rainy days, too! You could adapt it for outside by having students unfreeze one another by tapping lightly with a scepter or similar object.