It’s been so interesting to see how schools across the country are handling back to school season this year. I have friends who are teaching completely remotely for the entire first semester, friends who are in the classroom but on a hybrid model of only having half of their kids every other day,It’s been so and friends who are totally in the classroom full-time with all of their kids but have some pretty strict hygiene and social distancing measures on them.

For those of you who are back in the classroom right now, or about to go back soon, I know that recess is going to look a little bit different. You may have a dedicated recess time but your kids have to keep their distance from each other outside, or maybe recess has been taken off the table because the playground equipment is deemed unsafe for students at this time. If you are in the market for some fresh indoor recess ideas, that are also socially distanced, I have some ideas for you!

Digital Games

A great way to keep your students socially distanced, but give them a break and instruction, is through digital games! I have volumes of digital games for teachers to use in their classrooms as brain breaks, indoor recess, stretch breaks, ice breakers, community building activities, or however else you can think to use it. These activities are totally digital and can be done in the classroom or virtually. And, almost all of the activities are zero prep. It just doesn’t get better than that.

Today I’m sharing three games that you can use in your classroom right now as an indoor recess or movement activity with your students. But keep reading all the way to the end to see where you can find more!

Class Talent Show

A 30-second talent show is a great way to spend a recess, while still maintaining social distancing. Only one student is standing up at a time, but the entire class is participating! Simply set a 30 second timer, and invite kids up one at a time to display a talent they have!

Trivia

Who doesn’t love a good game of trivia?? Break students into teams (but keep them spread out a bit), and let them work together to answer silly questions, or review things from school! Trivia lets kids get loud for a moment, but doesn’t get out of control. Teams must be quiet when they are debating answers so that other teams don’t hear them, after all! But, the moments of celebration when students get answers right lets them get a little bit of that energy out!

What’s That Sound?

A totally seated, fairly quiet game that could be used to give students a mental break anytime! Play sound effects on your computer and ask students to write answer privately on a piece of paper or a white board. Before you reveal what the sound was, let students share their guesses! Each correct guess earns a student a point. This can be played in groups, or individually!