Creative Ideas for Indoor Recess

Creative Ideas for Indoor Recess

When rain pounds at the windows or a snowy freeze descends on the school, many teachers brace themselves for indoor recess.

Outdoor recess is beneficial for both students’ well-being and their classroom behavior. They can swing, slide, socialize and get their wiggles out in the great outdoors. Studies have shown that younger students who receive at least 20 minutes of recess time work more and display better behavior throughout the day. The change of scene refreshes their minds, and they return to the classroom invigorated and ready to learn.
When students are cooped up indoors, their boundless energy has nowhere to go, and the classroom can quickly transform into chaos. Thus, teachers find themselves looking for creative ways to keep students entertained — without letting classroom antics get out of hand.

Fortunately, with just a little work and creativity, indoor recreational activities can be fun while promoting learning. Kids develop teamwork skills, follow directions and hone their fine motor coordination through game playing and creative work.

Below you’ll find a list of stimulating classroom games and indoor activities for days when inclement weather keeps your students inside.

Read the full article or skip to a specific section:

• Activities Appropriate for All Age Groups
• Indoor Activities for Pre-K—Kindergarten
• Indoor Activities for Grades 1–2
• Indoor Activities for Grades 3-4
• Indoor Activities for Grades 5–6
• Have Fun With Indoor (and Outdoor) Recess!