13 Things Every Kid Did During Recess That Are Now Banned
From harmless games to risky playground antics, here's a list of recess classics that schools have outlawed for safety and liability reasons.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Recess in the past was a wild mix of energy, imagination, and a few bumps and bruises. Kids engaged in all sorts of activities that felt normal at the time but would be shut down instantly in today’s schools. Here are 13 beloved recess pastimes that have been banned for being too rough, risky, or just plain controversial.
1. Playing Dodgeball
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Once a staple of playground games, dodgeball is now considered too aggressive for many schools. Kids hurling rubber balls at each other led to complaints about bullying and injuries.
2. Climbing on the Roof or Fence
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Adventurous kids used to scale fences or even climb onto roofs to retrieve balls or just for the thrill. It was dangerous but common.
3. Red Rover
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This game of running full speed into linked arms might have built team spirit, but it also left plenty of kids with bruises or worse. Schools began banning it after too many broken bones and parental complaints.
4. Tackling During Tag or Football
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Touch football often became full-contact games, and tag became a contest of who could hit the hardest. Without adult supervision, things quickly got out of hand.
5. Swapping Lunch Items
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Trading snacks like cookies for chips was a recess tradition. However, due to allergy risks and parental concerns, many schools now forbid food sharing entirely.
6. Playing King of the Hill
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Kids used to climb jungle gyms or dirt mounds to push others off and claim the top spot. It was chaotic but exhilarating.
7. Bringing Toys from Home
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Kids once brought action figures, marbles, or trading cards to school. However, arguments, theft, and distraction turned them into contraband.
8. Running in the Hallways
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Though not always part of recess, dashing through the halls to get outside faster was normal. Now, it’s viewed as a serious safety issue, especially with crowded schools.
9. Jumping Off the Swings
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Launching yourself mid-air from a swing set was a favorite daredevil stunt. It was fun — until someone broke a bone.
10. Using Sticks as Swords
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What began as a harmless game of knights or ninjas quickly turned into injury central. Swinging sticks turned out to be more dangerous than it looked.
11. Playing in the Snow (Without Restrictions)
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Snowball fights and snow forts used to be recess gold. However, too many icy projectiles led to a ban on touching snow altogether.
12. Climbing Trees
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Tree climbing used to be the ultimate form of free play. However, one fall too many led schools to fence them off or cut them down.
13. Spinning on the Old Merry-Go-Round
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The faster, the better — that was the motto when it came to metal merry-go-rounds. Kids would spin until they were dizzy or fly off entirely.