Recycled Recess Kit: Build and Test

To equip active recess at no cost, groups build a complete game from recycled materials: bottle bowling pins, coat-hanger-and-stocking rackets, paper-and-tape balls or cardboard targets. They test it by playing, check how well it holds up and calculate the savings compared with buying it.

How to play

1. Each group of five picks a game from the recess game bank and decides what recycled materials it needs (3 min).
2. Building: they make the equipment from bottles, cardboard, newspaper, bottle caps and tape (12 min).
3. Play test: groups swap kits and play 4 minutes with each of two different kits (10 min).
4. Durability check: each group inspects its equipment after use and notes what broke or bent (3 min).
5. Calculation and review: approximate price of equivalent store-bought equipment versus the real cost, plus a design improvement (5 min).
6. Kits that pass the test go into the recess box (2 min).

Rules

• Scissors are used seated in the building area and returned when done.
• No cans, glass or pieces with sharp edges.
• Paper balls must be soft: squeeze-test them before throwing.
• All leftover materials go into the right recycling bin.

Variations

Adaptations

• Fine motor difficulties: handles design, play testing or the cost calculation.
• Visual impairment: the group adds a sound element to the kit, such as bottle caps inside the ball.
• Limited mobility: checks that the game with the kit is playable seated and suggests changes.

Learning goals

• Apply sustainability and reuse criteria to physical activity.
• Design and evaluate functional, safe sports equipment.
• Provide a useful service that improves recess at school.

Equipment for a class of 25

• recycled materials: 60
• tape: 6
• scissors: 6
• cards: 6
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Ask students to bring clean recycled materials the week before. Have a model of each item ready for groups that get stuck.

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