I’ve been reading and learning more and more about the importance of recess, so it was perfect timing when I got an email from my friend Lindsay Poutier about an event happening right in Central Park on September 10th. Turns out Lindsay is involved in the Colorado chapter of the group Say Yes to Recess, a movement led by parents, educators, and community members to advocate for protecting kids’ rights to unstructured play during school. An upcoming event will spread the word!
Despite our reputation as a state full of superfit and active people, Colorado has room to improve on laws protecting recess. Some kids as young as kindergarten in Colorado only get 15 minutes of recess a day. Right now, although there are 15 states that require a daily recess minimum, Colorado is not one of them. And another issue: when I was a kid, taking away recess was the norm for kids who got in trouble. But now there’s more awareness that removing a kid’s chance to burn energy and get outside may just make behavior worse. Nine states already protect recess from being withheld for academic or behavioral reasons, but not Colorado. In fact, in a Say Yes to Recess survey, 48 percent of surveyed Colorado parents said their child had experienced recess being withheld.
The Say Yes to Recess folks aren’t just guessing that recess is important—the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends protected daily recess for all K through 12 students. The thinking is that unstructured, child-led active time leads to better emotional regulation, stronger social skills, less stress, and improved ability to learn.
Find out more about Say Yes To Recess goals like legislation that would require two 30-minute recess periods each day for elementary students and one 30-minute recess period each day for middle school students at their 9/10 Recess Community Celebration on September 10th!
WHAT: Say Yes to Recess Colorado Recess Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 | 4–7 p.m.
WHERE: Central Park Playground, Denver
COST: Free and open to the community, plus interactive activities, snow cones and food trucks
