Playground skills IEP goals

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated November 1, 2026

Short answer

A playground IEP goal names a recess activity, the equipment, the help level and a criterion counted during real recess. Example: during recess, Ruby will climb the 4-rung ladder and go down the slide with standby help on 4 of 5 recesses. Target climbing, swings, recess games or getting around safely, based on where the student is left out.

Recess is where many students with motor needs end up alone: in the sandbox while peers climb, on the bench during tag, at the edge of the wood chips because the walk across is hard. Playground goals give the student access to the same play as classmates. They are measured where they matter, during recess, by the adults who are already there.

IDEA expects students with disabilities to take part in nonacademic settings, including recess, with peers to the extent appropriate, with the supports they need.^[1] That makes recess a fair place for IEP goals and supports.

This page gives 12 goals in four groups, each with a baseline and a template link. The numbers are illustrations. The cluster pillar is physical therapy IEP goals.

How to choose the right playground goal

What you see at recess	Sub-skill to target	Measurement method
Avoids the structure; needs a hand on ladders and the slide	Climbing and sliding	Help level and steps completed, per recess
Sits on the swing but cannot keep it going	Swings	Seconds swinging without a push
Plays alone or watches games	Recess games with peers	Minutes in a game, or game turns taken
Falls on surfaces or cannot reach play areas	Getting around the playground safely	Falls per recess; route completed

Before writing a climbing goal, the PT checks that the student can do the movement safely and that the equipment fits the student's size and needs. Some students need a different play option, such as a ground-level activity panel, and that goes in the IEP as a support.

Climbing and sliding goals

During recess, Ruby will climb the 4-rung ladder and go down the slide with standby help on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: climbs with contact guard; will not slide unless an adult holds her hand. Template.
During recess, Jayden will climb the cargo net to the top platform (6 feet) and climb back down with standby help on 3 of 4 tries. Baseline: reaches the second rope with contact guard. Template.
During recess, Mia will climb the 3 steps to the low platform, sit and go down the short slide feet first, completing 4 of 4 steps, on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: 1 of 4, with an adult lifting her onto the platform. Template.

Weak: "Ruby will use playground equipment." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the ladder, the slide and the help level.

Swing goals

On a belt swing, Theo will pump his legs to keep the swing going for 30 seconds after one starting push on 3 of 4 tries. Baseline: swing stops within 5 seconds. Template.
At the swings, Lina will get on the belt swing by backing up to it, sitting and holding both chains, completing 3 of 3 steps without help, on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: an adult lifts her on. Template.
On the adaptive swing set up by trained staff, Leo will hold the side bars and keep his head up for 3 minutes of swinging on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: 1 minute before he asks to stop. Template.

Weak: "Theo will swing independently." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It sets the push, the time and the trials.

Recess game goals

During recess, Kai will join an active group game (tag, four square or a relay) and stay in it for 10 minutes on 4 of 5 days. Baseline: 2 minutes before leaving. Template.
During freeze tag, Omar will run to a frozen teammate and tag them free while avoiding the tagger on 3 of 5 chances. Baseline: stays frozen or stands still at the edge, 0 of 5. Template.
During a recess game of catch with a peer, Ruby will catch a playground ball tossed from 8 feet on 6 of 10 tosses. Baseline: 2 of 10. Template.

Weak: "Kai will play with peers at recess." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the game type and the minutes.

Joining a game also takes social skills, such as asking to play. Pair a motor goal with a social goal when the student has the movement but not the entry; the sportsmanship IEP goals page covers winning, losing and taking turns.

Getting around the playground safely

During recess, Grace will walk from the blacktop across the wood chips to the swings and back with no falls and no adult hand on 4 of 5 recess days. Baseline: holds an adult's hand and falls about twice a week. Template.
Using her walker, Nora will travel the accessible path from the door to the play structure (150 feet) within 3 minutes on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: 7 minutes, with an adult steering at the gate. Template.
In his gait trainer, Kai will move to the group game area and stay with peers for a 10-minute game on 4 of 5 recesses. Baseline: stays at the door with an adult. Template.

Weak: "Nora will access the playground." Measurable: Goal 2 in this group. It names the route, the distance and the time.

Coming in when the whistle blows is a recess routine too. The signal response template covers stopping and lining up on a signal.

How to measure playground goals

Help level and steps: for climbing and getting on swings, score each step done without help. Use the task analysis data sheet.
Seconds or minutes: for swinging and time in a game. Use the duration data sheet.
Falls per recess: a pocket tally card for the recess aide. The frequency data sheet works.
Counts out of 10: for catches during a game.

Recess aides and paraprofessionals collect most of this data. Give them a card with one or two boxes, not a full form, and show them what counts. The guide on paraprofessional data collection covers training. The PT probes the harder skills, such as climbing, about every 2 weeks. The guide on how to measure gross motor goals explains probe schedules.

Adapting playground goals by grade

Grade band	Typical focus	Example condition
Preschool	Low slide, steps, sandbox, tricycle	On the preschool play yard
K to 2	Ladders, slides, swings, simple chase games	Main play structure at recess
Grades 3 to 5	Climbing walls, cargo nets, organized games	Four square; tag
Middle school	Active games at lunch recess, courts	Basketball or walking track at lunch

For older students, recess goals often become lunch-time activity or fitness goals; see physical fitness PE goals. Riding the trike at recess is on tricycle and bike goals, running and galloping on locomotor skills goals, and ball play on ball skills goals. How school PT fits in the IEP is covered in school-based physical therapy. Full template wording is on gross motor goals and the PT role page. Run your draft through the goal checker.

Frequently asked questions

Are recess skills appropriate for an IEP?

Yes. Recess is a nonacademic setting where IDEA expects students with disabilities to take part with peers as appropriate. Goals and supports that help a student play with classmates belong in the IEP when the student needs them.

Who collects data on playground goals?

Usually the recess aide or a paraprofessional, using a simple card with one or two boxes. The PT probes harder skills, such as climbing, about every 2 weeks and trains the adults on what counts.

What if the playground is not accessible for the student?

Raise it with the case manager and the building administrator. The district has duties under disability law to make programs accessible, and the IEP can list supports such as an accessible route or adaptive swing while that is addressed.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

34 CFR §300.117: Nonacademic settings, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.