30 Old-School Recess Games Your Students Should Be Playing Now (2023)

A lot has unquestionably changed in schools in the last few decades. Despite the many technological advances like personal devices and online textbooks, some things don’t need any improvement. So put down those tablets and Chromebooks and get some fresh air—it’s time to go old-school! Sure, most students know popular recess games like tag and hopscotch, but what about Kabaddi and Ship to Shore? The next time your class needs to get outside to let off some steam or build teamwork and physical fitness, try one of these 30 classic recess games.

1. Parachute/Popcorn

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Oh, the nostalgia of walking into gym or recess during your childhood and seeing that bright-colored parachute! Kids will love shaking their arms wildly while watching the balls dance around the parachute. Laughter will surely ensue!

Learn more: Youtube/Parachute Game “Popcorn”

2. Crab Soccer

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A fun twist on a timeless sport, all you need to play is a ball and some cones. Crab Soccer is just like regular soccer but in a silly crab-like position that will be sure to get your students laughing.

Learn more: YouTube/How to Play Crab Soccer

3. Bubbles

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Bubbles will certainly be a hit with the littlest recess participants. While bubbles are fun on their own, they can also be used in a number of fun activities and recess games.

Learn more: The Inspired Treehouse

4. Duck, Duck, Goose

Before starting, have all your students sit in a circle. First, one player walks around the circle, tapping everyone on the head and saying “duck.” Whenever the player chooses, they can tap someone on the head and say “goose.” Finally, the goose stands up and chases the player around the circle. If they are tagged, they start over again, however, if the goose fails to catch them before they reach the open spot and sit down, the goose now starts play.

5. A Tisket, A Tasket

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A duck-duck-goose variation that involves a basket with a letter in it and this nursery rhyme.

Learn more: Let’s Play Music

6. 44 Home

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A more active version of hide-and-seek, 44 Home is extremely popular on elementary school playgrounds across the world. One person is the finder and counts while others hide. The finder finishes counting, yells, “44 home!” and then tries to find where everyone is hiding before they make it back to base.

Learn more: BuzzFeed

7. Marbles

A classic among recess games, marbles work equally well inside or outside.

8. Ship to Shore

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Also known as Shipwreck, this fun Simon Says variation has students “hit the deck” and imitate a “man overboard.”

Learn more: Playworks/Ship to Shore

9. Horse

All you need for this classic game is a basketball hoop and a ball. Kids will have fun coming up with crazy shots for their opponents to take!

Learn more: Jr. NBA

10. Zero 1, 2, 3

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Using one or two jump ropes, kids jump once, twice, three times (and so on) when it’s their turn. Once they have the hang of it, you can add complexity by requiring kids to do tricks as they jump.

Learn more: Playworks/Zero, 1, 2, 3

11. Kabaddi

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This tag variation has been played for over 4,000 years in India and is also frequently played in Japan, Nepal, and Pakistan (among other countries). Why not add it to the recess games played on your playground? It will surely be a hit.

Learn more: Kid World Citizen

12. Sardines

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Think of this game as reverse hide-and-seek. Whoever is “it” hides while the other players count. Unlike hide-and-seek, the other players then try to find (and join) the person who is it. Finally, the last player outside the hiding spot is the new it.

Learn more: Group-Games

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13. Elastics/Jumpsies

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This three-player game requires the skills of hopscotch and jump rope with some of the patterns from the game Cat’s Cradle.

Watch tutorial: ReadingIsFun/YouTube

14. Hula Tag

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As far as recess toys go, it doesn’t get much more classic than a Hula-Hoop. Hula-Hoops are fun on their own but when combined with tag, the fun never stops!

Learn more: Playworks/Hula Tag

15. DIY Chalk Twister

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Outdoor Twister? Sign me up! The best part is that you don’t even need any extra equipment.

Learn more: Kids Activities

16. Four Square

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Similar to the classic game kickball but there’s no kicking. All you need is four large numbered squares and any rules you can come up with. Break a rule and you’re out, and the next player in line is in.

Learn more: SquareFour

17. Red Light, Green Light

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This is a perfect recess game since it engages all of your students at once. Red Light, Green Light is fun yet easy to understand—go on green, but don’t get caught still moving on red!

Learn more: Playworks/Red Light, Green Light

18. Limbo

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A simple game that requires just a pole or rope, limbo will test the limits of your students’ flexibility. Oh, and it’s fun too!

Learn more: NY Metro Parents/How To Play Limbo

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19. Red Rover

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While fun, Red Rover, where you run headlong into a wall of peers, isn’t a game for the faint of heart. (Here is a video of a group of older students playing Red Rover.)

Learn more: Life Outside the Shell

20. Jacks

Perfect for individual or small-group play. Jacks are a versatile option since they can be played indoors during rainy day recess or outdoors for more bouncy fun!

21. Knockout

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Since most recess areas have a basketball hoop, this is a perfect game to blow off some steam in between classes. Kids will have fun while also working on their foul shots.

Learn more: Dick’s Sporting Goods/How To Play Knockout

22. Museum Guard

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Also known as Statue, this game doesn’t require any running or a lot of open space (unlike its counterpart, Freeze Tag/Dance). As a result, it is a particularly safe and easy option for both outdoor and indoor recess.

Learn more: Fern Smith’s Classroom Ideas/Pinterest

23. Kick the Can

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Breathe new life into an old classic with a fresh can. Using a bright color will undoubtedly make the can impossible to miss and extra exciting to play with.

Learn more: Dukes & Duchesses

24. Mother, May I?

This game will certainly appeal to some of the bossier students in your class. First, students request to take five steps forward, hop forward on one foot, etc., and then are granted permission (or not) by one student who calls the shots, until they get tagged.

Learn more: Group-Games

25. Blind Man’s Bluff

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If you can find a quiet, safe area and get permission to use blindfolds, this tag variation adds a new level of challenge when the person who is it has a blindfold on.

(Video) Back to School with Franklin Special

Learn more:Kidspot

26. Seven Up

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Since there are sure to be rainy and snowy days, a good indoor recess game or two is a must. This game is such a classic it was even included in one of Mark Twain’s stories!

Learn more: Memory Glands/Seven Up

27. Capture the Flag

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Few games are more beloved than Capture the Flag. It’s best for slightly older kids and is a great way for them to exercise both their physical body and competitive nature.

Learn more: Chandler Arizona/Flag, You’re It!

28. Doggy, Where’s Your Bone?

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Another classic, in this game, whoever is it gets three tries to guess who took an eraser, or another object that stands in for the bone, from under their chair. (Here’s an example of young students playing the game while listening to the corresponding tune.)

Learn more:Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

29. Guard the Queen Dodgeball

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Markedly similar to traditional dodgeball but with a fun twist, you can even play it outside with your class without worrying about runaway balls.

Learn more: Grandma Ideas

30. Snake

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Another fun take on jump roping, snake involves one or more kids shaking a jump rope while one or more kids tries to jump over it. Whatever you do, don’t let the rope hit you!

Learn more: Playworks/Snake

What are your favorite recess games to play with your class? Come and share in ourWeAreTeachers HELPLINE groupon Facebook.

Plus, check out our favorite team-building activities for the classroom.

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FAQs

What game are the kids playing during recess? ›

Some favorites are still soccer, tetherball, hopscotch and hand-clapping games. But some are a little different and more elaborate, such as a murder mystery game and playing tag while scrambling around on top of playground equipment.

How do you play the eraser tag? ›

The students WALK around the room and try to tag the other child while the eraser stays on their head. The first child to be tagged or drop the eraser is out. You can control the pace of the game by reversing the Queen chases King at any moment.

What kind of games do you play with your friends in the school during recess? ›

Sure, most students know popular recess games like tag and hopscotch, but what about Kabaddi and Ship to Shore? The next time your class needs to get outside to let off some steam or build teamwork and physical fitness, try one of these 30 classic recess games.

What are some school games? ›

School Games sports and activities
  • American Football. American (Flag) Football is an adapted non-kitted version of the 11v11 game you will have seen in the NFL. ...
  • Archery. Archery is for everyone, regardless of age, gender or disability. ...
  • Athletics. ...
  • Badminton. ...
  • Basketball. ...
  • Boccia. ...
  • Bowls. ...
  • Boxing.

What was the game that every child in the school that to play? ›

2. What was the game that every child in the school had to play? ANS: The 'game' that every child in the school had to play was that each term every child had one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one injured day and one dumb day.

How do you play 44 homes? ›

Rules: Basically Hide and Seek with a different name. One player shuts their eyes and counts to 44 at the home base while the others hide. Once the player has finished counting they shout "44 home!" and attempt to find the others before they make it back to the base.

What is a fun game to play in class? ›

Charades

In the game of charades, students can study vocabulary words and learn public speaking skills by doing physical exercise. One student performs actions or movements associated with a word while their classmates guess it out loud. The person who guesses the correct option receives the next word to perform.

What games are not blocked at school? ›

Below are some of the top game sites not blocked by school.
  • Armorgames.com. Armorgames.com is a website that specializes in flash-based, browser-based, and downloadable games. ...
  • Unblocked Games 24h. ...
  • Subway Surfers. ...
  • Unblocked Games WTF. ...
  • Unblocked Games Pod. ...
  • Unblocked Games 66. ...
  • Unblocked Games 77. ...
  • HoodaMath.
24 Aug 2022

What do students do during the recess? ›

During recess, children usually play games involving teamwork. On the playground, children use many leadership skills – they educate other children about games to play, take turns, and learn to resolve conflicts while playing these games.

How do you play spud? ›

How to Play. With everyone standing close to you, throw the ball straight into the air while shouting out one of the student's numbers. The student whose number has been called quickly gets the ball and shouts “SPUD” as soon as they touch it. All other students run away until they hear “SPUD.”

What is the GREY side of an eraser for? ›

The white side erases graphite, and the grey side erases ink. The white side erases graphite, and the grey side erases ink.

How do you play group tags? ›

In team tag, players who are 'it' (taggers) try to tag all other players by touching them with the object or dodge-ball. Taggers cannot move with the ball, only pass it to other taggers. The game begins with two taggers. Everyone else is trying to evade the taggers.

What is the eraser burn game? ›

It's spreading via social media: A “dare” where kids use erasers to rub away the skin on their arms, often while reciting the alphabet or other phrases. Players compare the resulting injuries, and the most injured player is the “winner.”

Which game is best for a student? ›

11 classic games and why to use them in class
  1. Casino. Divide students into groups and give each a budget of, say, 100€ of mythical money. ...
  2. Pictionary, charades, and celebrity heads. ...
  3. Taboo. ...
  4. Twenty objects. ...
  5. Categories. ...
  6. Bingo. ...
  7. Tongue twisters. ...
  8. A twist on Twister.
16 Jan 2020

What games are played at school playgrounds? ›

The following list, however, includes many simple and classic outdoor playground games that children have played in schoolyards for generations:
  • Dodge Ball. ...
  • Double Dutch. ...
  • Heads Up Seven Up. ...
  • Hopscotch. ...
  • I Spy. ...
  • Jacks.
  • Jump Rope. ...
  • Kickball.

What did kids do in Old school? ›

In old schools all the kids came to a common place laughing, playing, shouting, fighting each other, etc...... with some happiness and joy. They learnt the same thing and they have one another homework. Being together, brought lots of fun, enjoy, playing, coming and going to house and doing again homework.

What games do 15 players play? ›

rugby, football game played with an oval ball by two teams of 15 players (in rugby union play) or 13 players (in rugby league play).

What activities should schools have? ›

Popular activities include sports, scouts, art, theater, music, and community service. Many children also join school-affiliated organizations (like student council), competitive academic clubs (like Model U.N. or math club), and affinity groups that help connect kids with shared identities.

What games are played at school playgrounds? ›

The following list, however, includes many simple and classic outdoor playground games that children have played in schoolyards for generations:
  • Dodge Ball. ...
  • Double Dutch. ...
  • Heads Up Seven Up. ...
  • Hopscotch. ...
  • I Spy. ...
  • Jacks.
  • Jump Rope. ...
  • Kickball.

What is Squid game at recess? ›

Squid Game, a South Korean drama TV series, is part Survivor, part Hunger Games, and completely binge-watchable—for adults. The show, which premiered in September, follows 456 players trying to get out of debt as they compete in children's games like tug-of-war and red light, green light.

What happens in a recess? ›

During recess, children usually play games involving teamwork. On the playground, children use many leadership skills – they educate other children about games to play, take turns, and learn to resolve conflicts while playing these games.

Which games are played at covered spaces? ›

1 Answer. Billiards, chess, table tennis, ludo etc. are played in a covered space.

What are indoor play activities? ›

Indoor Activities You Can Do Right Now
  • Sorting. Cut various shapes out of differently coloured paper and sort these in a muffin tin according to shape and colour.
  • Threading. ...
  • Spooning and Tonging. ...
  • Drawing and Colouring. ...
  • Mosaic Art. ...
  • Mess-free Painting. ...
  • Germinating Seedlings. ...
  • Cooking and Baking.

What are some activities to play? ›

Teach your kid some fun classic card games like Go Fish!, Crazy Eights, Slapjack and more!
  • Play freeze dance.
  • Improvise some paper-bag skits.
  • Make a DIY balance beam.
  • Do some indoor bowling.
  • Play Hot Potato.
  • Play the listening game.
  • Play Simon Says.
  • Set up a game of indoor basketball.
18 Nov 2020

What is the example of outdoor games? ›

60 Examples of Outdoor Activities
ArcheryBadminton
Rock ClimbingRowing
RunningSailing
SightseeingSkateboarding
SkiingSkipping Rope
25 more rows
17 Jul 2020

Is Squid Game ok for 14 year olds? ›

The age rating for "Squid Game" on Netflix is TV-MA, which means for mature audiences only. According to TV Guidelines, TV-MA indicates "this program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.

Can a 12 year old watch Squid Game? ›

In an emailed statement, a Netflix spokesperson said that “Squid Game” is intended for mature audiences, which means it may not be suitable for ages 17 and under.

Is Huggy Wuggy for kids? ›

A horror game character from 'Poppy Playtime' named Huggy Wuggy has been raising concerns amongst parents, police and safeguarding professionals. WARNING: This contains images and details some people may find disturbing. This should not be shared with young children.

What do boys and girls do in recess? ›

They run and jump and laugh and shout.

How long was recess in the 90s? ›

Yet, during the 1990's school recess throughout the United States was shortened from 30 minutes to 15. And, in some school districts, recess was eliminated and new elementary schools were built without playgrounds.

Why is it called recess? ›

Recess comes from the Latin word recessus, meaning "a going back, retreat." You may have heard children talking about recess as their favorite part of school. This meaning of the word refers to the break in a school day for children to play, usually outside in a playground.

What is the five indoor game? ›

If we talk about Indoor games, these games refer to games that we can play under the house's roof with so many people. For example, Ludo, Carrom, Puzzle, Card games, Chess, Table tennis, and board games.

Which one is an indoor game? ›

The Indoor games are Chess and various board games, various card games, billiards, etc. The various outdoor games are Cricket, Football, Hockey, etc.

What are indoor games give example? ›

10 Indoor games to play with your kids
  • I spy: This is an excellent game for younger kids as it helps them learn letters of the alphabet, form words, and understand things around them. ...
  • Hide-and-seek: ...
  • Simon says: ...
  • Musical chairs: ...
  • Scavenger hunt: ...
  • Charades: ...
  • Scrabble/Boggle:
  • Pictionary:
18 Sept 2018

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