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When “Risky Play” Becomes Reckless: A Playground Safety Expert Responds

By Dr Melinda Bossenmeyer



As someone who has spent 25 years testifying as an expert witness in playground injury cases, I read Daniel Buck’s recent op-ed advocating for riskier recess with deep concern. While his intentions may be good, his perspective dangerously overlooks the real consequences I’ve witnessed firsthand.

What Buck Argues

In his recent op-ed, Daniel Buck, a research fellow, recounts allowing a student to perform a backflip from the top of monkey bars during recess—a decision he defends as giving children necessary freedom to take risks and build social connections. Buck argues that modern schools have become too restrictive, banning activities like tag, roughhousing, and various playground behaviors. He contends that “risky play” provides distinct developmental benefits, comparing it to cognitive behavioral therapy where children face challenges and overcome fears. Buck acknowledges lawsuit concerns but suggests they stem from excessive “safetyism” rather than legitimate safety needs. He proposes policy changes to protect schools from litigation over injuries from “reasonable play,” arguing that broken bones are simply part of childhood and that schools should prioritize free play over safety restrictions. You can read the full article at American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank. Buck’s article is an opinion piece published on January 13, 2026. It is an op-Ed /Institute for Family Studies. Read the full opinion piece here: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/recess-is-becoming-too-safe/

Buck celebrates a moment when he allowed a student to backflip off monkey bars. I want him to meet the family of the six-year-old boy I worked with who suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury on a playground. That child will never drive. He requires lifelong assisted care. His family’s entire future changed in an instant. The school district paid over $10 million in settlement—money that could have funded programs for thousands of students.

This was a real case. An extreme one, granted. But what if it were your child?

March is often when school playgrounds begin to thaw, making it the ideal time for schools to prepare their playgrounds for the next 6–9 months of active use.

PLAYGROUND PLANNING CHECKLIST

1) Do you have a Recess Committee either of staff or PTA Members? If not time to start one.

2) Decide a timeline for purchasing items, planning your paint day, and introducing games to the students. Individual Stencils & Stencil Packs Programs

(IE: February 14 purchase stencils. Receive items within a week, plan paint day March 1. Introduce games the following Monday)

3) Review school wide plan for Playground Rules and Procedures. Do an annual review & Distribution to all staff and parents. Post Rules out in playground area accessible to children.

(attend webinar to learn more or get rules in Recess Program)

4) Plan for recess equipment purchase (balls, bean bags, hoola hoops). Set up an equipment check out system.

5) Make an Inclement Weather Plan. What will we do on rainy days, snow days, heat safety days.

6) Plan your playground Supervisor Training Days.

Course Content

This course is divided into 4 areas of instruction:

Section 1 discusses how “loose equipment” increases children’s physical activity levels.

Section 2 looks at playground markings (hopscotch courts, basketball courts, etc) that contributed to increasing physical activity levels on playgrounds.

Section 3 talks about the critical role schools can play in children reaching the recommended 60 minutes a day in physical activity.

Section 4 explores the various strategies for increasing children’s physical activity levels on playgrounds.

ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS

How to Have A Peaceful Playground

Playground Supervisor Training

Bullying Prevention Training

Grant Writing Course

Recess Before Lunch Training

Low Cost, High Activity Playground

Playground and Strategies for Improving Recess

Pedometer Walking Program Training

Start planning your playground transformation now!

Are you tired of playground arguments and confrontations?

Post recess discipline issues steal away a principal’s time and classroom teaching opportunities. 

Principals across the nation have turned to Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program for over 25 years to solve these problems.

Principals love it, because less conflict on the playground means they get to focus on the work that matters.

Teachers love it, because kids come back from recess ready to learn after getting a break & physical activity.

Playground Supervisors love it which means less turnover of supervisors in schools, based on research on implementing the playground.

Kids love it because they have a fun colorful playground with over 100 games and activities to choose from.

Join the thousands of schools across the nation that have implemented the Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program. Want to get started today? Order Now or request a quote.

This is exactly why Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer created the Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program so schools can transform recess from chaotic to calm using simple, research-backed strategies that work immediately.

Want to know how to get started?

Contact us. We can assist you with brochures, estimate and everything you need to get started today.

(951) 245-6970 or officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com

The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 4 million children annually for over 28 years!

Recess is a right, not a reward. Withholding play harms children’s ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in class. Positive behavior systems work better than taking recess away.

Fundamental Movement Program

allows you to create an outdoor motor learning lab painted on preschool and elementary school playgrounds for preschool children. An easy, do-it-yourself layout plan transforms your play space into a colorful arrangement of learning games and motor skills activities.

You can teach movement skills like jumping, balancing, hopping and more.

Active Kids. Confident Educators. Zero PE Experience Needed.

YOU'LL LOVE IT BECAUSE:

No Prep, No Stress

Just open and teach—each activity is ready to go with step-by-step instructions and visual guides.

Confidence for Non-PE Teachers

Build your skills while helping kids develop strength, coordination, balance, and focus.

Any Space, Any Time

Works in classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, playgrounds—or wherever you have room to move!

You can choose the Full Kit which includes options for painting the blacktop or the option for the Curriculum minus painting.

February 2026 Winner

Brandon Castor



Bridge Street Elementary, MA

Enter your school today in the "Learn to Play" US Map Playground Map Stencil Giveaway. The beautiful geographically and proportionately accurate educational map stencil is 20 feet by 36 feet and extends the classroom curriculum to recess and outdoor play. History and geography come alive with the games and activities included in the stencil set.

You might be the next winner. Good Luck!

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