John,

Managing playground equipment is about more than good organizational skills—when done right, it sets up safe and inclusive play that kids can initiate on their own.

Sound too good to be true? Let's break it down.

An effective system answers 3 important questions every kid should know when they step on the concrete for recess: Where to play. How to play. What to play.

Watch Coach Wayne show his fifth graders the new equipment system at the start of the year:

When time is short at recess, you want your equipment system to help recess just "work"—without adults having to spend time looking for lost equipment, resolving arguments over game rules, or cleaning up a mess after every trip outside.

Keep these tips in mind as you get started on a new approach or take a look at improvements to your current system:

• Storage and distribution systems should be simple and clear. Norms for expected positive behavior support inclusive, fair play and help students better address conflicts.
  
  
• Place equipment near designated game stations to encourage students to initiate play on their own. This way, students learn where to find equipment for specific games, that the equipment belongs to the game—not an individual or group—and that all students are accountable for making sure equipment is safely returned to be used again tomorrow.
  
  
• Adults should design the flow, but student leaders can learn to manage the systems with time, allowing adults to focus on engaging kids in play or other jobs we can't delegate. Remember that too much equipment is just as bad as not enough!

This week, take stock of your recess equipment—how much you have and where it's stored.

For more on equipment management systems, check out the full resource page on our site.

Your Recess Lab Team