Playground Personalities: What Your Childhood Recess Activity Says About You

Whether it was an intense game of freeze tag, exploring the playground like the great outdoors, or creating artwork from your imagination, we all had our recess niche. While you may have long outgrown your recess days, your favorite activity might still offer deeper insights into the person you are today…

Swings

Swing kids were dreamers. You liked routine, kept your head in the clouds, and quietly observed the chaos from above. It was also a popular girl spot, so if that was you, odds are you grew up social, stylish, and maybe even went Greek.

Sports

If you were running soccer, football, or kickball games, you were the athlete. Competitive, energetic, and were probably named “Nick”. Now? You’re likely a kinesiology major, gym bro, or still living on chicken and rice.

Four Square

With the best player in the game known as the “King,” it often attracted kids seeking attention to be the best. Also known for your grit, assertiveness, and charisma (and possibly a sign of aggression if you fancied the notorious “cherry bomb”), you love a chase for the ultimate prize. Today, you might find yourself as a lawyer or politician, where assertiveness and charisma are essential to rise to the top.

Chalk

From fancy artworks to ridiculously long hopscotch courses, the pavement was your canvas, ready for your chalk masterpieces. While chalk is not necessarily a “game”, your imagination could not be confined to traditional rules, showing your willingness to pave your way in life. Today, you are best described as passionate, creative, and quite possibly an art or design major. 

Cup Stacking

If you spent recess stacking cups, you weren’t chasing popularity—you were chasing precision. You liked doing something different, something that made you stand out without needing a crowd. That focus and problem-solving edge? It translated well. Now you're likely in engineering, Computer Science, or math majors, where accuracy, logic, and systems matter.

Sitting Alone

Some kids ran kickball games, others drew chalk on the pavement, and you preferred the quiet corner. Whether it was to avoid the chaos or just to recharge, you valued observation over participation. That independence carried forward. Now, you’re probably drawn to majors like psychology, English, or philosophy, fields that reward reflection, analysis, and seeing patterns others miss.

Rainbow Loom

If you were that kid making Rainbow Loom bracelets at recess, you weren't just passing time—you were basically running a mini business. Trading, selling, or flexing your newest color combo showed off your creative side and hustle. Fast forward to now, you're probably the friend with a side gig, a small business account on Insta, or a major in something like marketing, design, or entrepreneurship.

Playground Games

Freeze tag, fish out of water, monkey on the ground—if you lived for these games, recess was your personal Olympics. You thrived in the chaos, loved making up new rules, and were always down to show off your speed. That energy stuck. Today, you're probably a sports management major, still chasing the rush of competition and teamwork.