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Key Priority Area
Active Recreation
Active Recreation gives students more ways to move, play and connect before, during and after school.
Students can be active through play, clubs and other activities. Schools can often use spaces, equipment and people they already have.
About Active Recreation
Active Recreation includes planned and free-choice activities outside lessons. Students may take part at recess, lunch, before or after school, and on approved trips or camps.
Why this matters
Active Recreation gives students different ways to move and play. More choice can help more students take part.
Students can play with friends, meet new people and find activities they enjoy.
Top 3 actions to get started
Ask students what games and activities they enjoy.
Use spaces that could offer more chances to play or move.
Offer different activities so more students can join in.
Making it inclusive
Create recreation opportunities that allow every student to participate, connect and enjoy being active.
- Offer free-choice play, planned games, team games and social activities
- Ask students what they enjoy and offer activities at different levels
- Adapt rules, equipment, spaces or group sizes
- Create quiet, shaded or sensory-friendly activity areas
- Involve students in planning and leading recreation opportunities
Sustainable practice
Choose activities that your school can keep running with the resources it has.
- Use spaces you already have
- Repair, reuse and share equipment
- Choose equipment that lasts
- Offer shaded or indoor options for different weather
- Give students roles in running activities
See it in practice
Real stories from Victorian schools
Kinder-12 School
Lavers Hill K-12 College
See how Lavers Hill K–12 College used a coastal learning activity to build water safety skills and care for the environment.
Secondary School
Rosebud Secondary College
See how Rosebud Secondary College creates more ways for girls to be active and connect with others.
Resources organised by need
Find ideas for safe, fun and inclusive play and recreation.
Plan Spaces for Play
Find ideas to make school spaces welcoming and active.
Featured resources:
Offer More Ways to Play
Use games and activities that help more students join in.
Featured resources:
Take Activities Outdoors
Use outdoor areas to help students explore, move and play.
Featured resources:
Plan Safe Activities
Check Department rules and plan safe activities, camps and trips.
Featured resources:
Explore more Active Recreation resources
Find school stories, guides and ideas for Active Recreation.
School Stories & Case Studies
See how other schools have created more ways to play and move.
Choose your next step
Choose a step to create more ways for students to play and be active.
Review your current practice
Plan your next step
Explore practical ideas
Explore partnerships
Review you progress
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The Active Schools Toolkit has been developed for the Victorian Department of Education by Active Education Australia.