Do You Need Recess?

Taking a break during the day is good for your brain and body. Should more middle schools make time for recess?

September 2026

by Mackenzie Carro

Adalyn McGee was very excited. She’s a middle school student in Hannibal, Missouri. And her school’s principal had just made a big announcement: Recess was coming back.

Adalyn and her classmates now get 15 minutes of free time after lunch. They can play volleyball. They can kick around a soccer ball. They can relax outside with friends.

Most middle schoolers don’t get this chance. But a growing number of teachers, doctors, parents, and students think they should.

That’s why more middle schools are putting recess back on the schedule.

Adalyn McGee was excited. She’s a middle schooler in Missouri. And there was big news at her school: Recess was coming back.

Adalyn and her classmates now get 15 minutes of free time after lunch. They can play volleyball. They can kick around a soccer ball. They can relax outside.

Most middle schoolers don’t get this chance. But more and more teachers, doctors, parents, and students think they should.

That’s why more middle schools are putting recess back on the schedule.

Adalyn McGee, a middle school student in Hannibal, Missouri, was very excited. Her school’s principal had just made a major announcement: Recess was coming back.

Adalyn and her classmates now get 15 minutes of free time after lunch. They can use this time to play volleyball, kick around a soccer ball, or simply relax outdoors with friends.

Most middle schoolers don’t get this opportunity—but a growing number of teachers, doctors, parents, and students think they should.

That’s why more middle schools are putting recess back on the schedule.

Brain Breaks

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American students have been heading outside for play breaks since at least the 1800s. But in the 1980s, some schools started to cut recess. Why? It had to do with academics.

American students weren’t doing as well in school as students in other countries. To catch up, many schools in the U.S. got rid of recess. This made more time in the schedule for subjects like science and math.

Yet research has shown that recess can actually help students learn. Your brain can get overwhelmed when you move from subject to subject without a break. That makes it harder to remember new information. Scientists say that resting your brain helps it work better.

Even adults have started taking breaks to rest their brains—and play. At Google, employees can use the office’s LEGO® station. Other companies offer game rooms, gyms, and arcades.

American students have been going out to play since at least the 1800s. But in the 1980s, some schools started to cut recess. Why? It had to do with academics.

American students weren’t doing as well in school as those in other countries. To catch up, many U.S. schools got rid of recess. This left more time for science, math, and so on.

Yet studies show that recess can actually help you learn. Your brain can get tired when you go from subject to subject without a break. That makes it harder to remember new facts. Breaks are good for your brain.

Some adults take breaks to play too. At Google, workers can use the office’s LEGO^® station. Other companies have game rooms, gyms, and arcades.

American students have been heading outside for play breaks since at least the 1800s—but in the 1980s, some schools started to cut recess. Why? It had to do with academics.

American students weren’t performing as well in school as students in other countries. To catch up, many schools in the U.S. got rid of recess, creating more time in the schedule for subjects like science and math.

Yet research has shown that recess can actually help students learn. Your brain can get overwhelmed when you move from subject to subject without a break. That makes remembering new information more difficult. According to scientists, resting your brain can improve its performance.

Even adults have started taking breaks to rest their brains—and play. At Google, employees can use the office’s LEGO^® station. Other companies offer game rooms, gyms, and arcades.

Get Moving

Recess doesn’t just help you learn. Moving around can also keep you healthy. People who exercise daily have stronger muscles and bones. It also helps their mood. They’re less likely to experience depression, or extreme sadness.

Doctors say kids should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. But middle schoolers often juggle after-school activities, homework, and family time. That can make it tough to fit in exercise—but having recess can help.

Recess doesn’t just help you learn. It can also keep you healthy. People who exercise daily have stronger muscles and bones. It also helps their mood. They’re less likely to experience depression, or extreme sadness.

Doctors say kids should be active for at least an hour a day. But middle schoolers are busy. After-school activities, homework, and family time can make it tough to fit in exercise. Having recess can help.

In addition to helping you learn, taking a break to play can keep you healthy. People who exercise daily have stronger muscles and bones. It also helps their mood. They’re less likely to experience depression, or extreme sadness.

Doctors say kids should be active for at least 60 minutes a day—but finding time to exercise can be challenging for middle schoolers, who often juggle after-school activities, homework, and family time. Having recess can help.

Staying Safe

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Of course, kids can get hurt playing sports like dodgeball. Some schools have cut recess to avoid sprained ankles and broken wrists.

Schools also need adults to help keep students safe on the playground during recess. Some schools can’t afford to pay anyone to do this important job.

Plus, more than half of school-age kids play sports outside of school hours. Do they really need to take time out of jam-packed school days for recess?

Adalyn thinks so. “I’ve seen a big change,” she says. “Recess helps with my stress.”

What do you think? Does recess belong on the schedule?

Of course, kids can get hurt playing sports. Some schools have cut recess to avoid sprained ankles and broken wrists.

Schools also need adults to help keep students safe during recess. Some schools can’t pay anyone to do this.

Plus, more than half of school-age kids play sports outside of school hours. Do they really need recess too?

Adalyn thinks so. “I’ve seen a big change,” she says. “Recess helps with my stress.”

What do you think? Do you need recess?

Of course, kids can get hurt playing sports like dodgeball. Some schools have cut recess to avoid injuries like sprained ankles and broken wrists.

Schools also need adults to help keep students safe on the playground during recess. Some schools can’t afford to pay anyone to do this important job.

In addition, more than half of school-age kids play sports outside of school hours. Do they really need to take time out of jam-packed school days for recess?

Adalyn certainly thinks so. “I’ve seen a big change,” she notes. “Recess helps with my stress.”

So what’s your opinion? Do you think recess belongs on the schedule?