Kids Need Recess

Recess in the News

Texas House bill would change P.E. requirements, ban the removal of recess as a punishment

Kids Need Breaks, Too!

This site was created to help parents advocate for recess for their children.

This is a parent-created website where you can access valuable information about the significance of recess, updated research and news on recess in schools, letter templates that you can utilize to correspond with school leaders, and the ongoing efforts in various states to advance the rights of students regarding recess in schools.

States of Recess

14 States Require Daily Recess:

Arizona (2018)
Arkansas (2019)
California (2023)
Connecticut (2012)
District of Columbia (2010)*
Florida (2017)
Georgia (2023)
Louisiana (2023)
Illinois (2021)
Missouri (2009)
New Jersey (2019)
Rhode Island (2016)
Tennessee (2025)
Washington (2023)
Virginia (2006)
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States Recently Passes Recess Legislation

Tennesee

The amended bill passed the Senate with a 28-1 vote in March, was signed by the governor May 2, 2025, and goes into effect on July 1. The bill requires 40 minutes of recess for elementary schoolers. The required amount of physical activity for middle schoolers and high schoolers remain at 90 minutes per week. 
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Minnesota

Minnesota will be refining the definition of recess retention and stipulate circumstances which are acceptable for withholding recess. Not a law requiring recess, but prohibits the use of recess as a disciplinary tool.
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California

California's recess law was signed in by Governor Gavin Newsom on 10/13/2023. Sb291 requires daily recess of at least 30 minutes and prohibits teachers from restricting students from recess.
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States with Pending Recess Legislation

Texas

HB 25  mandates that students enrolled in full-day PK-8th grade participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily, with exemptions for students with illnesses or disabilities and those involved in extracurricular activities with a physical component. It also prevents school employees from restricting a student's participation in recess or physical education as a disciplinary measure. 
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Oklahoma flag

Oklahoma

House Bill 1493  will require school districts to give at least 40  minutes of daily recess to students in full-day pre-k, kindergarten, and grades 1-5. Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman had introduced HB1081 Right to Recess Act but it died in committee.
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South Carolina

South Carolina

H3195 mandates k-5th grade students receive at least 150 minutes per week of physical education and physical activity, and 6-8th grade get at least 60 hours of physical education per year. Every student must have a minimum of 20 minutes of unstructured outdoor recess daily, with provisions for indoor recess during inclement weather.
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Nevada

Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, a Republican, proposed AB53, which requires school districts to mandate at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess for grades K-5. and prohibiting the denial of recess for reasons related to academics or behavior, aand requiring certain alternatives for outdoor recess when weather or other conditions make outdoor recess unsafe.
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Why Recess Matters

Over the last twenty years, since 2001, average weekly recess time in U.S. schools has declined by 60 minutes.

Research shows that physical activity and playtime during the school day can improve academic performance, social skills, and overall well-being. Ideally, kids should be getting at least 60 min of moderately rigorous physical activity per day, but they are not getting that from their school day.