Overview
Are your students restless from being cooped up inside due to rain or cold? Active indoor recess is a great way to get physically moving, regardless of space or equipment constraints. Support students in getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day by implementing a fun and engaging indoor recess program.
Take Action
Try some of these strategies to get your students moving during indoor recess:
- Don’t wait to plan for indoor recess until the weather goes south. Talk with school administrators, teachers, recess providers and parents at the beginning of the school year to create a plan for active indoor recess.
- Review your school schedule to assess available space. Is the gym available for any portion of recess? What about the cafeteria or auditorium? Is there an empty classroom? Is there a spacious hallway where students could run relays or jump rope?
- Does your school lack space for indoor recess? Partner with local gyms, YMCAs and fitness studios within a short walking distance of your school to see if space is available for students to use one or two days per week. Or, ask if they have an instructor who would be willing to donate time to visit the school once per month for a special fitness class during recess.
- Create classroom indoor recess carts. Include mobile materials such as jump ropes, soft balls, manipulatives, movement dice, and yoga mats and cards so teachers have easy access to equipment.
- Recruit older student leaders to lead indoor recess activities. Student leaders can serve as great role models for their peers and younger students to be physically active.
- Organize a year-round walking club. Walking is an activity that is easy and accessible to most students, staff and parents. Host an extra walking club day during indoor recess for students to track more steps.
Tips
Get student input – What would they like to do during indoor recess? Perhaps host a student and staff survey to gain insight and integrate trending activities and games.
Establish indoor recess structures and routines, and practice them consistently to ensure students are safe and not disturbing other classes.
Provide on-going support and learning opportunities for teachers to find new, safe and age-appropriate ways to keep students active while indoors.
Coordinate with you school’s physical education teacher to offer games and other activities safe for a classroom setting.
Recruit a local fitness instructor or a parent with a fitness background to host fitness classes during recess.
Ask parent volunteers to compile indoor recess carts or bags for student use throughout the year.
Connect with a local college or university to have student volunteers lead activities during recess – these volunteers serve as great role models, too.
Additional Resources
Recess for Learning Tip Sheet – English
Recess for Learning Tip Sheet – Spanish
Physical activity videos (Go Noodle)
Indoor recess games (Peaceful Playgrounds)
Training & playbook for indoor recess (Playworks)
Recess Plan Template (SHAPE America)
Original Source: https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/activity/active-indoor-recess