Risk Tag
Grade Level: 3-5
Two teams face each other across a line in the middle of the gym. Players may run across and try to get into the other team’s end zone to earn a point for their team. If they are tagged, they belong to the other team.
Pop Goes the Weasel
Grade Level: K-2
Discuss force, and the ways that they can create force with their bodies. Play “Pop Goes the Weasel”, and each time students hear the “pop” they must jump into the air using all the force they can.
Pin Knock Down
Grade Level: K-2, 3-5
Class will be divided into two equal groups and stand on opposite sides of the gymnasium sidelines 8 bowling pins will be put in the center of the gymnasium equal distance from both teams Goal is to collectively, as a class, knock down the pins by rolling balls at them.
Moon Ball
Grade Level: 6-8
Four teams with six players on each team. The games are played on two volleyball courts~two teams on each court, Players number off from one to six. The first player on each team is holding the ball. The first player on each court starts the game by hitting the ball into the air and calling, ‘One.” The others, and in number order, attempt to keep the ball from touching the ground. Once a player hits the ball he or she may not hit it again until the next turn, in order. Any time a ball hits the ground, is touched by another player, or is caught, play stops and the score is given. This is the total to beat in the next game.
Self/Partner Catching
Grade Level: K-2
Describe the cues for throwing and catching. Give each student a ball, and have them practice safe catches in their personal space. Give students a challenge such as 10 catches in a row, and as they complete the challenge, assign them to a partner. Each set of partners then assume a new challenge, such as ten catches.
Food Balance Relay
Grade Level: 3-5
Arrange the mats in a circular formation in the middle of the floor. Place food cards all around the playing area, just out of reach of the mats. Have the players figure out a way to reach the food cards by arranging themselves in various balance positions. Once a team has enough food cards to make a healthy meal, they have been successful!
Cooperative Throw and Catch
Grade Level: K-2, 3-5
Partners face each other and throw back and forth. Each miss means that they must take a step closer to each other, while each catch moves them farther apart. Also, unkind words or actions move them back to the beginning.
Cooperative Kick
Grade Level: 3-5
Students are paired off and given a ball for each pair. On “Go!” players must take turns kicking the ball down the field (or playing area) and back. Repeat the same activity, but put players into groups of three. Have players talk about which was easiest and hardest and why.
Conveyor Belt
Grade Level: 6-8
Conveyor Belt (use numbered poly spots or teachers to designate where the lines are) Split into 6 groups by off 1-6. Have all groups start on one side of the court. Game Rules: (1 or 2 rounds based on time) Each student will have a tennis racquet. Students will break into teams of four. Teams will line up in single file lines behind the designated starting line. The back person in line for each team will balance a tennis ball on their racquet. On teacher command (“Go!”), move the ball from racquet to racquet up the line to the front. Immediately after passing ball to person in front of you, run to the front of the line. Team wins when the entire team crosses the finish line. Hands can touch racquet only. No hands on tennis ball. If ball hits the ground, team starts over.
Bridges and Stones
Grade Level: K-2, 3-5
Divide the class into two groups. Designate one group to find a good self space in the playing area. Have them make their body into a bridge. On the teachers signal the remaining portion of the class tries to go under (or through) as many of these “body bridges” as possible in the time limit (or length of a song) designated by the teacher.
Challenge the children to change the levels and shapes of their bridges. Have the traveling children perform different locomotor movements. Reverse roles as often as you want.
25 Catches
Grade Level: 3-5
Students must catch a total of 25 passes thrown to them by classmates Students are not allowed to pass to the same person twice in a row Note: Once students have completed their 25 catches, they can continue to pass to classmates who need more catches.
High Five Tag
Grade Level: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Choose 3-4 players to be the taggers, and give each a pinnie. Have students find a self space in which they will begin the game. On the teacher’s signal, the taggers try to tag the other players. tagged players freeze and raise one of their hands in the air. Any other player may unfreeze a frozen player by giving them a high five. Change taggers and play again.