The study compared the recreational patterns of 108 elementary students in three groups: (1) lower socioeconomic status (SES) mentally retarded children; (2) lower SES nonretarded children; and (3) middle SES nonretarded children. Analyses of interviews with caretakers revealed that mentally retarded Ss were similar in recreational pursuits to the nonretarded Ss, participating more in informal than formal activities, outdoor rather than indoor activities, inexpensive rather than expensive activities, and accessible rather than inaccessible activities. Retarded Ss engaged in fewer formal activities than either nonretarded group. It could not be concluded whether significant differences between groups 1 and 3 were due to retardation or lower SES. (Author/CL)