Recess.gg Review: A Digital Social Platform for Homeschoolers Who Crave Connection
Inside: Recess.gg is an online homeschool community designed to help kids connect through interest-based classes, social clubs, and mentor-led activities. In this honest Recess.gg review, we tried coding with Jippity, space science with Blaine, and chess community hours—and loved how flexible, thoughtful, and genuinely engaging it all was.
One of the biggest challenges in homeschooling (particularly homeschooling an only child), especially as kids get older, is helping them connect with peers in a meaningful way.
Not just co-op acquaintances or passing friendships, but real connection. The kind that grows from shared interests, quirky passions, and just spending time together.
Maybe your child has niche interests. Maybe you live in a remote area. Maybe local groups just haven’t been the right fit. Whatever the reason, socializing can start to feel like the one piece of homeschooling we can’t quite figure out no matter how much curriculum we perfect.
That’s where Recess.gg caught my eye.
It’s a digital platform built for homeschoolers to socialize online in a structured, interest-based environment (which is the perfect way to offer socializing opportunities without over-socializing your teens). Through small-group squads, mentor-led sessions, and open social hours, kids can go deeper into hobbies like coding, design, cozy gaming, or storytelling, alongside other homeschoolers across the world who genuinely get them.
But is it worth the price?
Does it offer anything deeper than fun?
In this post, I’ll share what Recess.gg actually offers, what we tried, what surprised me, and who I think it’s best suited for.
Let’s take a closer look.
This is a sponsored post. I was given the product to review and I might have been compensated for my time. I would never endorse or recommend programs we wouldn’t use ourselves. Read more about it in my Disclosure.
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What Is Recess.gg?
Recess.gg is a live, online platform designed for homeschoolers to connect and learn in small, interest-based groups. It blends structured social time with hobby-focused learning led by adult mentors who guide the sessions.
It’s designed for kids roughly between the ages of 8 to 16, though the sweet spot seems to be that tricky middle school range where social needs ramp up but options for homeschoolers can feel limited. Most classes are intentionally small—typically 5 to 8 kids—which keeps things interactive and personal.
These groups are designed for actual engagement: kids ask questions, bounce ideas off each other, and sometimes even team up on projects. For quieter kids (like Marc), this smaller format made all the difference.
It’s not a full curriculum, and it doesn’t try to be. Think of it more like a digital social club for homeschoolers, where the goal isn’t grades or academic credit, but interaction, creativity, and community.
There’s an onboarding process for families and kids before jumping in. The platform is designed to be safe and structured so there’s no open chatting or free-for-all forums like Discord. Everything happens within the Recess environment, with clear boundaries and adult supervision.
It’s built around the idea that homeschoolers often miss out on peer connection, and Recess.gg wants to change that by making online socializing feel natural, guided, and fun.
Who Created Recess.gg?
Recess.gg was co-founded by Ben Somers, a self-directed learning advocate, and Kaelin H., who comes from a homeschooling background herself. The entire platform reflects that mindset: less about a strict curriculum, more about creating space for curiosity, connection, and purpose-driven learning.
They’re backed by some big Silicon Valley names like Steve Chen (co-founder of YouTube), Bloomberg Beta, and Balaji Srinivasan. So even though the team is still small, there’s real funding and intention behind the project.
And that shows.
The design is clean. The onboarding is thoughtful. The entire platform feels like it was built by people who actually get the weird space homeschoolers live in, especially those of us walking the line between gifted, neurodivergent, creative, and non-traditional.
What Does Recess.gg Actually Offer?
They offer a wide range of live online experiences designed to help homeschoolers connect, collaborate, and explore hobbies in a structured digital space. The focus isn’t academics, it’s creative, techy, community-driven learning.
Kids can join:
- Interest-based squads (like Mindustry, design, animation, or storytelling)
- Weekly clubs (chess, anime, D&D, art, coding)
- 1:1 sessions for things like coding or tutoring
- Community events like “Cozy Coloring Hour,” “Theo’s Slide Arena,” or “Waffle House”
- Project spaces where kids can share what they’re working on (and peek at what others are doing)
You’ll find everything from beginner Japanese conversation clubs to game design with Godot, and yes—even Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for homeschoolers who love roleplay.
The vibe is informal but structured. Every class has a guide, but it’s more mentorship than instruction. The goal isn’t to “cover content” but to dig into hobbies alongside other kids who are just as into it.
There’s also a project feed, basically a place where kids can upload what they’re working on. Think drawings, 3D designs, writing prompts, diagrams, and other passion-led creations. It’s a nice touch, especially for creative or visual learners.
How Much Does Recess.gg Cost?
Here’s where things vary quite a bit and might catch parents off guard.
There is a monthly membership of $9.99. To sign up, you’ll need to enter your card info. However, you can cancel right away from your dashboard, so it’s not a trap. That said, the actual pricing depends entirely on what you join:
Free Options:
- Social hours and some events (like YA Book Club, Recess News, Waffle House, Chess, etc)
- BETA product design or intro classes
Paid Classes:
- $12–$45 per week for most clubs and learning paths
(e.g., Animation Club: $15/wk, Drama: $26/wk, Math tutoring: $45/wk) - Full programs can get expensive:
Blockbench “Zero to Pro” = $780 for 20 sessions
Game Design = $75/week
D&D = $39/week - 1:1 Coding (Jippity): $100 per hour
Yes, really.
There’s a free intro session for some of the high-ticket 1:1 options, but the weekly price for regular coaching adds up fast.
So is it worth it? That depends entirely on your goal.
For casual social learning, the free and lower-cost clubs might be a good fit. But if you’re expecting serious instruction or academic depth for that price… you better look elsewhere.
⏰ Special Offer: $100 Credit for Monkey and Mom Readers
If you’re curious to try Recess.gg , I’ve got something extra for you:
Use promo code MONKEYANDMOM at sign-up to claim $100 in credit toward any classes or clubs your child wants to try.
(This offer is valid for the first 30 days – until July 18, 2025 – so don’t wait too long!)
How Recess.gg Actually Works (and What to Expect)
Recess.gg is an interactive digital world where your child is part of a game-like environment. Think: avatars, rooms, pathways, and social clusters, but with structure and purpose.
Every weekday, there’s a Community Hour—a live, casual window where kids can log in, hang out, and explore events or interest groups. It doesn’t run on weekends (which I honestly hope they reconsider, because many homeschoolers are busiest during the week with academic classes).
Inside this “recess world,” your child becomes a character. They can:
- Walk around as an avatar in the virtual space
- See where their classes are happening
- Follow friends or mentors to events
- Join squads or activities like chess, cozy gaming, or science sessions
The format makes it feel less like “another class” and more like… a digital playground built for thoughtful, curious kids. It’s social, but not chaotic. Guided, but not rigid.
After orientation, your child can explore classes, meet guides, and start joining squads or clubs that actually interest them. It’s one of the most thoughtful onboarding processes I’ve seen from any homeschool tool.
A Note on Safety & Access
One thing I really appreciate about Recess.gg is how all meetings happen inside the platform itself in what they call Gather. Kids aren’t clicking random Zoom links or jumping into unsecured video calls. They need to request access to join sessions, and the host or teacher has to approve it before anything starts.
There are no open rooms, no free-for-all drop-ins, and no anonymous lurking. It all feels structured and contained, which, as a homeschool parent, I value a lot.
Another thing I loved? Kids can browse all classes and request to join, but it’s the parents who approve or purchase them.
You also see every friend connection, whether it’s with another student or a mentor. Even parent-to-parent friending is possible, which makes the platform feel like an actual community instead of just a kid’s portal.
What We Tried on Recess.gg (and What We Thought)
We signed up for Recess.gg mostly out of curiosity, to see whether it could offer Marc something social and structured, without turning into fluff. Here’s what we experienced so far:
0️⃣ Orientation Session
This is mandatory for both parents and kids before they can join any events, and honestly? I appreciated that. It shows the platform is trying to create a safe, thoughtful space, not just drop kids into random chats and hope for the best.
Our host, Finn, was genuinely great. She knew how to pull the kids in, kept the energy up, and made space for everyone to speak. There were five kids in Marc’s session (including an ambassador, aka alum of the program so kids could actually relate to someone who used the program), and she made a point of encouraging each of them to share something. She kept the conversation going in a way that felt natural and fun, never forced.
Marc even met a boy who shared a few of his niche interests, which was a nice bonus.
1️⃣ 1:1 Coding with Jippity
We signed up for a free demo tutoring session through Recess to try Jippity, an AI-supported coding platform built for kids. Marc is already a fairly advanced coder for his age (he just sat for the AP Computer Science Principles this year as a 14 year old), but I was curious to see how this worked and whether it offered anything valuable beyond the “cool tech” factor.
Intro to the Class
Our instructor, Mark, was personable and engaging. He asked Marc thoughtful questions, followed his lead, and seemed genuinely interested in Marc’s coding plans. That’s rare especially for a kid who’s not easy to impress.
During the session, they worked on converting Marc’s Python number base converter into Java using the Jippity platform. Marc enjoyed the interaction and appreciated that Mark didn’t talk down to him. The session felt collaborative and flexible, which was a plus.
What is Jippity, exactly?
Jippity is an online coding platform where kids as young as seven can write real code to create games, websites, tools, and more. It runs entirely in-browser—nothing to download—and it’s designed to be accessible to any kid who can type.
The big draw?
Jippity combines a code editor with an AI assistant.
On one side of the screen is a live code editor. On the other? An AI chat box that can:
- Generate code from prompts
- Debug code
- Explain what a block of code does
Kids can also collaborate on projects, share their work, and even access templates or assets to build games. Jippity markets itself as the perfect next step after Scratch with human mentors available for more structured tutoring.
It’s a sleek, modern platform.
In theory, that sounds useful. In practice? I have mixed feelings, which I will address below.
What We Liked
- The free demo was a great way to test it out before committing to anything
- The instructor respected Marc’s skill level and adjusted the session accordingly
- Marc enjoyed exploring how his Python project could be adapted to Java
- The platform itself is smooth, clean, and easy to navigate
Jippity’s structure works well for kids who love independence and exploration. I can see it being incredibly motivating for beginner and intermediate coders.
My Thoughts as a Homeschool Parent to a STEM Gifted Teen
Here’s where I start to hesitate.
Yes, the AI assistant is helpful for debugging. And sure, typing “make a game where a turtle eats jellybeans” into the box and watching it spit out real code feels exciting.
But when it comes to actually learning to code, there’s a fine line between assistance and dependency.
This is what I feel about AI in general and why I strongly believe it shouldn’t be used too early in the learning process. Letting AI do the hard parts too early means kids miss out on the mental workout of:
- Writing clean code from scratch
- Troubleshooting their own errors
- Thinking through the logic of each step
And that kind of struggle? It’s where the real learning happens.
Marc is currently working with a tutor on manual line coding in Java (for his upcoming AP), and I don’t want to undermine that by handing him shortcuts too soon—even if they look impressive. Coding isn’t just about results. It’s about how your brain learns to think. Yes, AI can be helpful for debugging or checking syntax. But for a student who’s still learning the fundamentals of a language, relying on AI to do the thinking short-circuits the learning process.
So while I think Jippity can be a great supplement or playground, I wouldn’t use it as a primary tool for kids who are serious about mastering coding fundamentals.
Too much AI too soon teaches kids how to prompt, not how to think through the logic or troubleshoot when something breaks. That’s a skill I want Marc to master before he learns to automate it.
Would We Continue?
For us, no—not at this stage.
The tutor acknowledged Marc was well past the intro level and recommended continued 1:1 tutoring—which I agree with.
But the 1:1 tutoring via Recess costs $100/hour, and while I respect the platform and the people behind it, that’s steep. Especially when we already work with a dedicated tutor for less than half that price, and he takes Marc deeper into the core of programming without relying on AI.
That said, if you’re looking for a creative, interactive way to introduce your child to real coding—with some help from AI—Jippity might be worth exploring. Especially if your child is more interested in building functional games than diving deep into the nuts and bolts of programming.
I can see it working well for kids who enjoy the design and creation side of gaming, the ones who want to see quick results, customize characters, and get their ideas into something playable without worrying too much about syntax and logic trees.
But if your focus is on helping your child truly understand how code works, build resilience through troubleshooting, or prepare for something like an AP exams, you’ll likely need something more rigorous and less AI-assisted.
Just go in knowing that AI won’t replace critical thinking, and your child will still need structured guidance to build solid skills.
2️⃣ Experienced – Explore the Solar System with Blaine Allen
I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much from this one. It looked like a small, niche class on planetary science with a modest $20 price tag for two sessions a week. But the moment Blaine started leading the group, I realized this wasn’t going to be just another fun facts lecture.
A Teacher Who Feels More Like a Mentor
Blaine isn’t just reading slides about planets. He’s an aerospace mechanic, engineer, and long-time space science educator who clearly lives and breathes this stuff. And that passion shows. And more importantly? He knows how to make kids think.
What I appreciated most is that he didn’t dumb things down. This wasn’t “space for kids.” It was space, period. Discussed seriously, with real vocabulary and real science, in a way that respected the intelligence of the students.
He asked thoughtful questions, encouraged dialogue, and pushed Marc just enough to make him engage and explain his thinking. Marc isn’t one to open up easily in new environments, but Blaine had this subtle, skillful way of drawing him in. Hearing Marc confidently explain concepts made my day.
There was supposed to be another student there who didn’t show up, so it ended up being almost like a one-on-one mentoring session and Blaine handled that beautifully.
What the Class Covers
The Experienced – Explore the Solar System session is meant for kids who are either passionate about space or already have a good baseline. Topics include:
- Water and ingredients for life in the solar system
- The inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroid Belt
- The outer giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
- Space engineering and real-world science problems
- Interactive space missions and team-based discussions
This isn’t a sit-and-listen class. It’s collaborative, interactive, and built around real-world problem-solving.
Blaine mentioned that in the upcoming sessions, students will create a collaborative project where they plan a space mission to bring resources back to Earth. The kids will have to organize the mission, make decisions, and even calculate how likely it is to succeed based on those choices. It’s hands-on, high-level thinking—and I absolutely loved it.
Would We Take It Again?
Absolutely, without hesitation.
At $20 for two weekly sessions, it’s hands down one of the most affordable and worthwhile things we’ve tried on Recess.gg. Of course, we haven’t explored everything the platform offers. Marc isn’t into writing, presentations, or art, so that naturally narrows what he’s interested in trying. But for a curious, STEM-focused kid like him, this class really hit the mark.
The format is spot-on for gifted learners, deep thinkers, and space-loving kids—the ones who light up at the mention of Europa or asteroid mining.
Honestly? This is the kind of experience I wish we could find more often: real mentoring, real thinking, and a teacher who clearly loves helping kids expand their minds.
3️⃣ Chess at Community Hour: Free, Fun, and Surprisingly Competitive
This one was a surprise win— literally.
Marc joined the Chess at Community Hour a bit last-minute, logged in solo while I was out, and even had mic issues… but still had an amazing time.
Here’s how it works:
Chess at Community Hour is a weekly, 55-minute free chess session on Recess.gg where kids can jump into chess. It runs every Thursday and is open to all ages and skill levels.
The group uses both Lichess.org and Chess.com, so you can pick your platform (or test both), and the hosts organize mini-tournaments, puzzle battles, and even wacky chess variants like Antichess and Atomic Chess (the chess geeks love this – ask me how I know haha).
What Marc Thought
Even though it started late for us (10 PM our time), Marc genuinely loved it.
He got to play in a small tournament with five other kids and even played a match against Jacob, the host, who’s a US Chess Federation Expert and was homeschooled himself. Marc was thrilled by that.
Despite the tech hiccup (Marc’s mic didn’t work), he managed fine by typing in chat. And not only did he enjoy the challenge, he actually won the tournament.
Marc already takes in-person chess classes weekly, but this added a fresh, dynamic angle to something he already enjoys. The fast-paced, social format felt more like a game night than a class, and that’s exactly what made it so appealing.
Would he join again?
Absolutely.
And for a completely free offering (well, it comes free with the Recess.gg membership fee of $9.99/month), I’d say it’s one of the best “value for time” activities we’ve tried on Recess.gg so far.
Marc’s Take on Recess.gg
When I asked Marc what he thought, he gave me a very Marc-style answer:
“I like Recess.gg because you can learn about things you like.”
– Marc, 14, twice exceptional
Simple. Honest. And honestly? Pretty spot on.
Here’s what he loved most:
- Space Exploration – Blaine’s class made a huge impression and for good reason.
- Chess Community Hour – Fast-paced and fun, with just the right challenge.
- Jippity – Cool to try, but not something he’d repeat. And this makes sense since he already does traditional line coding.
He found the “recess time” a bit confusing (the platform has a slightly nontraditional flow), but once inside a class, he really enjoyed the experience. He liked the freedom to explore what he was into, without the usual pressure or structure of “school” —true self-directed learning in a safe digital space for homeschoolers..
That said, being on camera isn’t his thing (2e kids, right?). He’s happy to use his voice, but prefers keeping the camera off—something I appreciate Recess.gg allows without issue. For context, he spent a full year in German class as a fox avatar and still aced it. So yes… quirks and all, this works for him.
Will We Continue?
Yes, definitely, at least on and off.
Recess.gg feels like one of those platforms we can dip in and out of, especially over breaks or slower homeschool months. Once 9th grade hits, our schedule will get intense (thanks to those late-night online classes because we’re in Europe). But that’s what makes Recess so appealing: it’s flexible, low-pressure, and you can come back whenever you want.
And honestly? He’s not the only one enjoying it.
Marc gets to dive into the things he loves through project-based exploration, and I get to watch him grow, stretch, and connect in ways that traditional curriculum doesn’t always offer.
That’s a win in my homeschool book.
Final Thoughts
You know that ultimate homeschool dream?
The one where you actually have time to dive deep into your child’s passions without the constant pressure of ticking boxes? Not full-on unschooling, but that sweet spot where you’re their personal Encarta, guiding big questions and learning adventures.
Where Monday is for exploring the solar system, Tuesday becomes an intro to AI coding, Wednesday is all about chess tournaments, Thursday you’re knee-deep in microorganisms, and Friday you’re supporting their dream game design project with pixel art or block coding.
That’s the world Recess.gg makes possible.
But it does it without you needing to wear all the hats. You don’t have to be the coding expert, the art guide, the debate coach, the space engineer… or hunt down peers who share your kid’s niche interests. For just $9.99/month, your child can log in and create their own day of meaningful, guided exploration—with real mentors and peers who get it.
And thanks to mentorship without pressure, even kids who are camera-shy or slow to warm up can thrive here.
BUT. (And I really want to say this for newer homeschoolers especially.)
Don’t let Recess—or any enrichment platform—become the entire plan. It’s not built to replace a strong academic foundation. We’re not unschoolers, but we’re also not traditional, so we use Recess as a beautiful bonus, not a substitute.
Use it to spark interest. To find connection. To explore.
And when you do? You just might hit that sweet spot where learning feels like living, and both you and your kid walk away a little more inspired.
What about you? I’d love to know:
- Have you tried Recess.gg or something similar?
- Would your kids enjoy something like this, or do they prefer more traditional learning?
- Do you think online socializing like this can truly replace in-person meetups, or is it just a solid Plan B?
- What do you look for in an enrichment platform? Fun, depth, connection, or all three?
Drop your thoughts below, I’m so curious how other homeschoolers are using (or skipping) platforms like this!
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