Making Winter Recess Safe, Structured, and Enjoyable

Winter recess can be a tricky time for both students and staff.  Shorter days, colder weather, and unpredictable conditions can make outdoor play and indoor routines feel like a juggling act. Yet with a few thoughtful strategies, winter recess can be safe, structured, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone.

This month, we’re sharing practical ideas to help you make the most of both outdoor and indoor recess. From keeping kids warm and active outside to creating calm, engaging indoor routines, these tips are designed to support not only your students but also the staff who guide them through the winter months.

Outdoor Winter Recess: Keeping It Safe and Fun

Fresh air benefits both students and staff, but winter conditions can make supervision more challenging. Here are some ways to improve the outdoor experience:

1. Encourage “Dress for the Weather”

Proper winter attire…coats, boots, waterproof layers, mittens…reduces cold-weather issues and keeps kids outside longer. Support this by:

• Sending reminders to families before cold fronts hit
• Creating visuals for younger grades showing what “winter ready” looks like
• Keeping a small stash of extra gloves, hats, or socks for emergencies

2. Foster a Community Approach to Winter Warmth

Not every child has access to warm winter gear. Schools can make a difference with a gentle, optional community request:

“If your family has winter outerwear your child has outgrown, we welcome donations of gently used items. These will be made available discreetly to students who may need extra layers this season. Thank you for helping us keep all children warm, safe, and able to enjoy outdoor recess.”

Having a small collection of clean, labeled winter gear ensures:

• Every child can participate
• Fewer students stay indoors
• Recess feels inclusive and equitable

3. Set Clear Safety Guidelines

Winter conditions can change quickly. Consider:

• Green light days for full outdoor play
• Yellow light days for modified play (icy patches, limited running)
• Red light days when conditions are unsafe

Posting these guidelines in classrooms or sending morning updates keeps staff and students informed.

4. Provide Structured Activity Options

Children do best with some guidance, especially in challenging winter conditions. Some ideas:

• Snow painting with spray bottles of colored water
• “Follow the leader” snow trails
• Outdoor scavenger hunts
• Puddle-jump challenges
• Chalked obstacle paths
• Cooperative games that don’t require running

Rotating activities weekly keeps outdoor recess fresh and engaging.

5. Support the Supervisors

    Cold or wet weather can make duty feel long. Support staff by:

• Rotating duty so no one is outside too long
• Offering warm-up boxes (hand warmers, tissues, backup mitts)
• Providing clear communication about zones and responsibilities
• Using a buddy system for check-ins

Small steps like these make outdoor recess more manageable for everyone.

When Weather Forces Indoor Recess

Rain often dictates recess in coastal regions like Vancouver, Oregon, and northern Washington. Indoor recess can easily become chaotic without structure.

1. Keep a “Plan A + Plan B”

   Consistency reduces stress:

• Plan A: Outdoor recess
• Plan B: Indoor routine (announce early if possible)

2. Offer Choice with Structure

    Guided freedom works best. Effective indoor options include:

• Activity bins (LEGO, puzzles, art supplies, quiet games)
• Board games and card games
• Cozy reading corners
• Drawing prompts or seasonal creativity stations
• Table-top STEM or building challenges

Remind students of expectations…inside voices, staying in the classroom, cleanup procedures…to maintain calm.

3. Consider Station Rotations

     If shared spaces allow:

• One classroom hosts art
• Another hosts building toys
• Another hosts board games
• The gym hosts low-key movement activities
• Short blocks and smooth transitions keep indoor recess manageable.

4. Keep the Gym Calm and Safe

    When using the gym:

• Stick to low-impact activities
• Use lightweight equipment (foam balls, hula hoops, skipping ropes)
• Try simple games like “four corner movement,” “freeze dance,” or “follow-the-leader circuits”
• Avoid high-speed games or projectiles

Make Winter Feel Like an Opportunity

Recess sets the tone for the day, even in winter. Structured, engaging play helps students return to class calmer and more ready to learn. Planning ahead, offering variety, and supporting staff can turn winter from a challenge into a season of creativity, community, and joy.

If you’re looking to refresh your recess toolbox for 2026, I offer free downloadable resources for:

• Indoor recess games
• Outdoor winter activities
• Recess planning templates
• Behaviour expectation posters
• These resources are easy to print, adapt, and use right away.

Pause, Rest, and Restore

As you head into winter break, I want to acknowledge the care, flexibility, and steady presence it takes to support students through these colder, darker months. Simply making it here is an accomplishment. Rather than filling your break with plans or expectations for January, consider winter as nature intends it…a time to slow down, restore energy, and tend to yourself. Rest is not a reward for productivity; it’s part of the cycle. Take care of yourself in whatever ways feel supportive, and may this season offer moments of rest and renewal.

 Keep well,

Renée