Top 10 Best Recess Characters

The most powerful kid on the playground, King Bob sits on high on top of the jungle gym. With his brown recliner throne and hockey stick scepter, he enforces the rules of recess. He always tries to be fair and just while settling playground disputes, but he also has a reputation for being a demanding king and a stickler for the rules. So best fall in line or you’ll be sentenced to the dodgeball wall. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.

There is always that one teacher whose sole purpose in life is to ruin all of your fun. For the “Recess” kids, that teacher is Mrs. Finster. She is always trying to catch T.J. and his friends in a scheme and give them a dreaded afternoon of detention. But what fun would scheming be without a challenge? She is a more than adequate villain for the children of Third Street School, though, more often than not, the Recess gang manages to get the best of her.

The Ashleys are the classic clique of mean girls who happen to share the same first name. If they seem familiar it’s probably because their scandalous behavior reminds you of your own school bullies who preyed on the less popular. Or possibly because they share a surprising resemblance to some other infamous “Mean Girls” you might know. Sort of like an elite club, they abide by their own set of rules and are the only kids on the playground with their own exclusive fort.

Everyone’s least favorite teacher’s pet, Randall is Miss Finster's rat. He is always snitching to Miss Finster on T.J. and the gang, as well as pretty much every other kid on the playground who dares to break the rules. So it is no surprise that he is the most disliked kid on the playground. Deep down all Randall really wants is to make some friends. Unfortunately, the best way he can think of to express that is by getting them in trouble if they don’t play with him.

Gretchen is the bookish one of the main six. She is usually the brains behind TJ's schemes and can always use science to solve a problem in a cinch. Gretchen isn’t just the smartest kid in school, she even gives the Third Street School teachers a run for their money. As smart as she is though, she can be a bit gullible. She might not be athletic, but she has an uncanny talent with a yoyo. She can, at times, be a bit of a know it all, but she is always a caring and affectionate friend.

Being a jock, Vince is the most athletic of the “Recess gang”. But he can, at times, let his competitive side get the best of him. Just like his jersey number implies, he always wants to be number one. But don’t worry, he doesn’t look down on others who are not as physically capable as he is. His competitive nature doesn’t only apply to sports, though. His friendly rivalry with Gretchen when the two run against each other for class president only deepens their respect for one another.

Originally the new kid at Third Street, Gus quickly became the essential sixth member of the Recess gang. As the pacifist son of an army man, he has moved around to many different schools and struggled to make friends, but Gus fits right in with this diverse group. His tucked-in shirt, square glasses, and mild disposition lead the popular kids see him as a geek and a target for their bullying, but Gus is more than he seems on the surface. He has a serious dark side, named "El Diablo".

This gentle giant has an old soul, a poetic heart, and a beautiful voice. Many misinterpret his large stature and see him as a bully, but he is as kind as they come. Mikey’s childlike personality can sometimes be off putting to the rest of the gang, but his overwhelming optimism inspires them. Possibly the most relatable character, Mikey is misunderstood by those around him, and spends a great deal of time soul searching. He occasionally loses himself along the way, but his friends always make sure he knows just how special he is. He is, undoubtedly, the heart of the gang.

She is the tough, but lovable one. With her dress and combat boots combination, she proves that girls don't have to be either the girly girl or the tomboy. There are lots of different ways to be female and she embraces all the sides of her personality. She even dances with Mikey, risking her tough reputation. She also puts her own unique spin on competing in a beauty contest. She even had a chance to be one of the Ashleys, but chose to stay the same Spinelli she’s always been. She knows exactly who she is, and who her true friends are.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Francis “The Hustler Kid”


Upside-Down Girl


The Diggers

The Recess gang’s fearless leader, T.J. always has a scheme up his sleeve. Whether it be breaking into the teacher’s lounge, or breaking out of detention, he is the go to guy for their crazy adventures. He can find the fun in any situation, even when he’s stuck inside for recess. He is the glue that holds his eclectic group of friends together. When the gang nearly breaks up because of a fight over who his true best friend is, he reminds them all of what they mean to him. If you ask T.J. he’s the luckiest kid in the world because he doesn’t just have one best friend, he has five.