It’s the part of the day kids live for. When the recess bell rings, they grab their coats and rush outdoors to monkey bars, foursquare games, and football fields, intent on squeezing as much fun as possible out of their scarce free time.

But the fun and games are more than just a welcome break from multiplication tables, experts say. In a recently released report, the American Academy of Pediatrics outlines the benefits of recess, saying it helps develop social skills, improves concentration and productivity in the classroom, and combats obesity by giving children an opportunity to move around.