the battle between recess and phone use

Let’s be real, we’ve all wished we could just take a break like the old recess days, right?

Amid midterms, papers, and internships, do you long for the carefree days of recess, when every minute was precious?

Remember the rush of excitement when the school bell rang, signaling the start of recess? For many of us, that moment was pure joy—a break from the classroom where we could sprint outside, play games, and create memories that would last a lifetime. Recess wasn’t just about a pause from schoolwork; it was about embracing the freedom of childhood and enjoying the simple delight of play.

Today, as we reflect on those simpler times, it’s fascinating to see how recess has evolved. With the rise of digital distractions, the playground of today often looks quite different from the one we remember. With smartphones and social media dominating our lives, the playground is now a stage for the latest TikTok trends rather than traditional games like flag football or red light – green light.

Now, flash forward to college life, where the closest thing to recess is a five-minute TikTok scroll between lectures. Kids today might have TikTok battles during recess, but we had wall ball and four square. . And honestly, who wouldn’t want to trade their group project stress for a game of tag right now?

Yet, no matter how much things have changed, the memories we made during recess as kids will always hold a special place in our hearts. Each of us had our own unique experiences, filled with joy, excitement, and a sense of adventure. Here are some of our fondest memories from those unforgettable recess days:

Edel

"Jump ropes were my absolute favorite for years. We’d come up with all kinds of games and challenges, and soon enough, the whole playground was caught up in the fun. The energy was contagious, filling the air with pure joy. And the swings? They were legendary. The second that school bell rang, we’d sprint outside as fast as we could, racing to grab the "best" swings. There was something magical about that rush. The feeling of flying, the pure joy and adrenaline of being a kid. Unforgettable moments".

Anthony

"I remember when it was time for recess everyone ran out the door to the playground. There were so many options to choose from when you were outside. There was wall ball, kick ball, two hand touch football, tag, freeze tag, playground, and swings".

Ariel

"I distinctly remember playing 4 square with my small group of friends. Some days it got extremely competitive as we’d “speed-run” the game as a challenge. The ball would quickly fly between us four as we watched closely, determined to catch the next player off guard. Eventually, the game grew, to my other classmates, who would wait in-line just for a turn as the last person got out. Those days were a lot of fun, and even as an adult I still go back to those times in my mind when things were much simpler.

I also remember the times in which my whole class would be playing together at recess. In second grade, the big game was “boys vs. girls” in which we’d engage in a larger-scale game of tag between the two groups. In this game, once you were tagged, you were out of it completely, and we’d play until the last girls or boys were standing. To this day, this game stands out because it was one of our favorites. It had to be for a month straight that we were playing an ongoing version of “boys vs. girls.”

What was your favorite recess activity?

• Four square
• Hopscotch
• Swings
• Tag

See All Options