Recess Initiatives

Youth and Young Adults Research Core

Recess is a crucial part of child development, supporting physical, mental, and social well-being. Despite its benefits, recess time has declined in many schools due to academic pressures and budget cuts. Research shows that unstructured play improves focus, creativity, emotional regulation, and lifelong fitness habits.

In response, several states have passed laws to protect daily recess. Oregon considered similar legislation—Senate Bill 1126—which would have mandated 30 minutes of daily recess and banned its use as punishment, though it was not voted on.

This page offers resources and tools to support equitable recess policies. Whether you're a parent, educator, or advocate, you’re invited to join the movement to ensure every child has time to play and thrive.

Resources

The Great Recess Framework

The Great Recess Framework is an observational tool designed to help educators and researchers evaluate and plan school recess with a holistic approach.

While physical activity levels are certainly one element of a successful recess, other aspects such as safety, adult engagement, communication, autonomy, and inclusion have often been overlooked. The Great Recess Framework observational tool was developed by practitioners at Playworks and researchers at OSU. We encourage the use of ​our work for educational and research purposes.

Recess Bill Tracker

The Recess Bill Tracker actively tracks states who have active recess laws, states with pending recess legislation, and states with physical activity laws, but without recess laws. Each state's tile links to their most current legislation.

Oregon's Senate Bill 1126

Oregon's Senate Bill 1126, proposed in March, 2025 would have required all elementary schools to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess and would have prohibited using recess as a disciplinary tool.

SB 1126 was unfortunately not voted on and did not make it out of committee.

Washington's Senate Bill 5257

Washington state passed Senate Bill 5257, which, among many other new rules, ensures a minimum of 45 minutes of recess daily for grades K-5, in addition to P.E., and bans withholding recess for academic reasons or for punishment.