We had three recesses a day at all six elementary schools I attended. I think it was usually fifteen minutes in the morning, about half an hour at lunch (after half an hour in the lunch room, or after going home for lunch), and another fifteen minutes in the afternoon. Only lightning or hail cancelled the time outdoors, you needed permission to go inside and use the bathroom, and if you misbehaved, you stood against the wall. Looking back, it was pretty great.

That said, besides occasionally playing King's Court when we had access to a ball, and a brief marbles fad, recess just meant sitting and reading for me rather playing or exercising, and at most of the schools, the only nature we had was the weeds in the cracks of the pavement. The break was still much appreciated, though.