Recess Isn't Optional: What the New AAP Guidelines Say

The American Academy of Pediatrics just told schools something a lot of us have felt for years: kids need to play, and it shouldn't be up for debate.

As a dad to a 2.5-year-old and someone who's spent my career around youth athletics and fitness, I think a lot about how kids move, play, and grow. One thing I've noticed: unstructured outdoor time just isn't what it used to be. Screens, packed schedules, and academic pressure have quietly squeezed play out of the school day. And it's not just kids, adults are spending far less time outdoors and playing too.

What the AAP Actually Says

The AAP's newly updated policy statement reiterates the social, physical, and cognitive benefits recess provides for students of all ages. Recess isn't a break from learning. It's part of how kids learn.

If you're a parent, teacher, or coach, it's worth asking: what does your school's recess policy actually look like?

Read the full AAP policy statement in Pediatrics (June 2026).