Should New York Students Get More Recess? Lawmakers Think So

Parents: How Much Play Time Does Your Child Get at School?

How much time does your child get at recess during a normal school day?

I asked a few moms across the Hudson Valley and got a variety of answers. One mom in Dutchess County shared that her children get 40 minutes of recess time.

Another mom in Ulster County told me that her kids get 20 minutes to get outside and play for recess.

Growing up, recess felt like an eternity but we were also kids absorbing the freedom of the school day. I would guess that recess for me (back in 1996) was anywhere between 30-45 minutes.

We ask because there's a new bill being proposed in Albany that caught our attention...

New Bill Proposes Longer Recess Time For NY Students

CBS 6 in Albany is reporting about a bill that was proposed back in 2025 regarding students and how much of a break they get during a normal school day.

They explain that the bill would "mandate every kid in grades K-5 (and 6th in some cases gets a 30-minute recess on school days exceeding five hours."

We dove into NYsenate.gov and found details Senate Bill S6858. The bill states additionally that recess "shall be outside whenever possible and lunch breaks and physical education shall be in addition to recess."

The bill continues further:

Each school district shall develop a plan for physical play, but if no such pla n is possible, the school shall seek a waiver from the Department of Education."

In the bill they explain that recess should also "not be routinely withheld as a disciplinary or punitive measure."

Why Recess Is Important During The School Day

Senate Bill S6858 was introduced by Rachel May from the 48th Senate District, which covers parts of Central New York.

Of course if this bill is passed, all New York elementary school students will reap the benefits.

May shared in their justification that "Children learn through play and need physical activity and socialization."  Research from the CDC states that "recess helps kids focus in the classroom and improves their memory and attention while reducing disruptive behaviors."

CBS 6 spoke with co-sponsor of the bill Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon who said she "organically" brought the bill up with a group of 9 and 10 year old students in a class she was visiting.

Assemblywoman Buttenschon told CBS 6 “They talked about needing to have time with their friends. Others talked about needing to run around, they love being outside."

Buttenschon added that even though there was snow on the playground, the kids still played outside for recess.