Recess Words and Vocabulary in English (50+)

Playground stuff, recess games, and the phrases kids actually say at break time.

Recess is that magical time when the rules of physics get tested on a swing set and everyone suddenly becomes an expert referee.

Here are 58 useful recess words and phrases in English, with clear meanings, real examples, and a Hear button for pronunciation.

Yak Snark:

If you can say line up, take turns, and out of bounds, you are basically fluent in playground diplomacy.

1) Quick Visual Cards (the big, obvious recess words)

Start with these, because someone will point at one of them within 8 seconds of arriving at the playground.

Recess

Meaning: A school break for playing and resting.

Example: Recess starts at ten thirty, so we run outside.

Also: break time, playtime

Playground

Meaning: An outdoor area with space and equipment for kids to play.

Example: The playground is crowded today, so we play near the slide.

Tip: say PLAY-ground

Swings

Meaning: Seats on chains or ropes that move back and forth.

Example: I waited for the swings, then I went really high.

Use: swing, swings

Slide

Meaning: A smooth ramp you go down for fun.

Example: The slide is hot in the sun, so we go down quickly.

Safety: feet first

Monkey bars

Meaning: Bars you hang from and move across with your hands.

Example: She crossed the monkey bars without dropping once.

Hands get tired fast

Hopscotch

Meaning: A jumping game using numbered squares on the ground.

Example: We drew hopscotch with chalk and hopped on one foot.

Sounds like: hop + scotch

Jump rope

Meaning: A rope you swing while someone jumps over it.

Example: He can jump rope for a whole minute without stopping.

Also: skipping rope

Tag

Meaning: A chasing game where one person tries to touch others.

Example: We played tag, and I ran behind the bench to hide.

Phrase: you are it

2) Table of Recess Words (58 terms)

Each row has a meaning, an example sentence, and a Hear button. Practice a few daily and your recess English levels up fast.

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example
Recess	A school break for playing and resting.	We go outside for recess after math class.
Break time	Another way to say recess.	At break time, I eat my snack and talk to friends.
Playtime	Time for playing, often at school.	Playtime is short today because of an assembly.
Playground	Outdoor area where kids play.	The playground has swings, a slide, and a sandbox.
Schoolyard	The outdoor space around a school.	We meet in the schoolyard when the bell rings.
Swings	Seats that move back and forth on chains.	She pumps her legs to go higher on the swings.
Slide	A smooth ramp you go down.	He climbed the ladder and went down the slide.
Seesaw	A board that moves up and down with two people.	We used the seesaw and tried to balance.
Monkey bars	Bars you move across by hanging with your hands.	My hands slipped, so I tried again on the monkey bars.
Jungle gym	A climbing structure made of bars or frames.	The jungle gym is the best place for climbing.
Climbing frame	Another name for a jungle gym (common in UK English).	They raced to the top of the climbing frame.
Sandbox	A box or area filled with sand for play.	We built a sand castle in the sandbox.
Hopscotch	A jumping game using squares on the ground.	I missed the square, so I restarted hopscotch.
Jump rope	A rope you swing while someone jumps over it.	We take turns to jump rope in the shade.
Hula hoop	A plastic hoop you spin around your waist or arms.	She can spin a hula hoop for a long time.
Frisbee	A flying disc you throw and catch.	He threw the frisbee too far, so it landed near the cones.
Tetherball	A ball attached to a rope on a pole that you hit around.	We played tetherball and the ball wrapped around the pole.
Four square	A ball game played in four squares, often with a bouncy ball.	In four square, she served the ball into my square.
Tag	A chasing game where one person tries to touch others.	We played tag until the whistle blew.
Freeze tag	Tag where touched players must freeze until unfrozen.	In freeze tag, I stood still until my friend unfroze me.
Hide and seek	One person looks while others hide.	We played hide and seek behind the picnic table.
Capture the flag	A team game where you try to grab the other team’s flag.	Our team won capture the flag by running fast and staying low.
Red light green light	A stop-and-go game: move on green, freeze on red.	In red light green light, I stopped before the caller turned around.
Duck duck goose	A circle game where one person taps heads and then runs.	He picked me as the goose, so I chased him around the circle.
Rock paper scissors	A quick hand game to decide who goes first.	We used rock paper scissors to choose teams.
Kickball	A game like baseball, but you kick a ball instead of hitting it.	I kicked the ball hard in kickball and ran to first base.
Dodgeball	A game where you try to hit others with a ball (and dodge it).	In dodgeball, I ducked and the ball flew over my head.
Soccer	A team game played by kicking a ball into a goal.	We played soccer near the fence and counted goals.
Basketball	A sport where you bounce and shoot a ball into a hoop.	She made a basket in basketball from far away.
Whistle	A sharp sound used to signal stop or start.	When the whistle blows, we stop and listen.
Bell	A sound that signals time to go inside or change activities.	The bell rang, so we lined up by the door.
Line up	Stand in a line and wait.	Please line up quietly after recess.
Take turns	Share time fairly so everyone gets a chance.	We take turns on the swings, two minutes each.
Share	Let others use something too.	Can you share the ball with the next group?
Play fair	Follow the rules and be honest.	We play fair, even when we really want to win.
No pushing	Do not shove other people.	No pushing near the slide, please.
Be careful	A warning to avoid getting hurt.	Be careful on the monkey bars when the ground is wet.
Time out	A short pause to stop play and reset.	Time out, we need to explain the rules again.
High five	A hand slap to celebrate or encourage.	We gave a high five after a great goal.
Good game	A polite phrase said after playing.	We said good game and shook hands.
Bench	A long seat to rest or wait.	I sat on the bench to tie my shoelace.
Water fountain	A place to drink water in public.	After running, I drank water from the water fountain.
Shade	A cooler area out of direct sunlight.	We played in the shade because it was very hot.
Picnic table	A table with attached benches, often outdoors.	We ate snacks at the picnic table.
Cones	Small plastic markers used for boundaries or drills.	The teacher placed cones to make a safe running lane.
Chalk	A stick used to draw on pavement.	We used chalk to draw a hopscotch grid.
In bounds	Inside the allowed playing area.	That kick stayed in bounds, so the game continued.
Out of bounds	Outside the allowed playing area.	The ball rolled out of bounds near the fence.
You are it	A phrase used in tag to choose the chaser.	I tapped him and said, you are it!
My turn	A phrase to ask for your chance next.	My turn on the swing, please.
Can I play	A friendly way to ask to join a game.	Can I play with you, or is the game full?
Join in	Start participating in a group activity.	She was shy, but she decided to join in after a minute.
Scrape	A small injury where skin rubs and breaks.	He got a scrape on his knee after he slipped.
Bruise	A dark mark from a bump or hit.	I have a bruise on my arm from the ball.
Bandage	A wrap or strip used to cover an injury.	The teacher put a bandage on my finger.
First aid	Basic help given for minor injuries.	We went to first aid to clean the scrape.
Nurse	A healthcare worker at school who helps when someone is hurt.	The nurse checked my knee and gave me an ice pack.
Sunscreen	Cream or spray that protects skin from the sun.	On sunny days, we wear sunscreen before recess.
Run	Move fast on your feet.	We run to the field when recess starts.
Sprint	Run very fast for a short time.	He sprinted to tag the last player.
Chase	Run after someone to catch them.	In tag, I chase my friends around the swing set.
Climb	Move up using hands and feet.	We climb the climbing frame one at a time.
Swing	Move back and forth on a swing.	I like to swing gently when I feel tired.
Skip	Move with light steps and small jumps.	She skipped across the playground like a happy rocket.
Hop	Jump on one foot.	In hopscotch, you hop on one foot in the single squares.
Jump	Push off the ground and go into the air.	We jump over the rope when it swings low.
Team	A group of players working together.	Our team wore blue stickers to show who was who.
Rule	A guideline that tells how to play.	One rule is that you must stay in bounds.
Referee	A person who helps decide what is fair in a game.	We asked a teacher to be the referee for kickball.
Safe	Not out, not tagged, or not in danger.	I touched the wall and shouted safe.
Out	Not allowed to keep playing for that round.	The ball hit my leg, so I was out.
Snack	A small amount of food between meals.	I ate a snack before playing soccer.
Rest	Stop and relax for a short time.	After running, we rest near the bench.
Trade	Exchange items with someone.	They trade cards at recess and keep it fair.
Cheer	Shout encouragement.	We cheer when someone finally crosses the monkey bars.
Wait	Stay until it is your turn.	I can wait for the slide, even if the line is long.
Boundary	A line that shows the limit of the playing area.	The cones mark the boundary for the game.

3) Optional Variants (US vs UK and common alternatives)

English changes by place. Same playground, different words. No drama.

School break words

Recess (common in US/Canada) vs break time / playtime (common in UK and elsewhere)
Playground (global) vs schoolyard (also common)

Playground equipment words

Jungle gym (common in US) vs climbing frame (common in UK)
Seesaw (global) vs teeter totter (common in parts of the US)

Sports word swap

Soccer (US) vs football (UK and many countries)
Water fountain vs drinking fountain (both common)

Queue words

Line up (US and global) vs queue up (UK and many places)
Bandage (global) vs plaster (UK word for a small sticky bandage)