Popcorn (Bouncers and Chasers)

This game is from the Project Adventure Curriculum. Check out their website: http://www.pa.org/

Setup and Equipment:

  • Pail
  • Whiffle golf balls (simulated  popcorn)
  • Break the class in half. 1/2 = bouncers, 1/2=chasers. With four color teams: 2 teams are bouncers and two are chasers

Rules:

  • The game is set up in the center circle in the gym. An empty pail is set up in the center (absolute) of the circle. The “bouncers” sit on the black line that circles around the pail (about three feet from the pail).
  • The job of the “bouncers” is to sit on the center circle line in the gym and attempt to bounce the balls into the bucket. The attempt works best with one bounce. However, with younger students (K,1,2) you will probably need to make an exception to this rule.
  • The job of the chasers is to retrieve the balls that the teacher throws into the air and roll them to their classmates who are the “bouncers”. Chasers are not allowed to bounce balls into the bucket.
  • The game begins when all of the chasers circle around the teacher who has a full bucket of golf whiffle balls which are thrown at once high up into the air. (Note: A surprising number of students will like to stand close and have these balls land on their heads!)
  • Chasers may not run with the balls, but must roll them to their classmates in the center circle.
  • The teacher will time this activity.
  • When the last ball is bounced into the empty bucket, the time is stopped and now the class should change “jobs”.
  • The bouncers are now the chasers and vice versa.
  • The teacher will start this game in the same manner as before and time it again
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Climbing Wall Tag

This is an “everybody it” tag game.

Equipment and Setup:

  • Many elementary schools have climbing walls that are not higher than eight feet. These “traversing walls” can be used in this game.
  • Open part or all of the climbing wall, so students have the room to climb up and down.
  • Emphasize climbing up and down the wall.

Guidelines:

  • Everyone is “it” to start the game.
  • Students may tag each other by using the a two-finger (peace) tag on the back of their classmates.
  • Three Second Standing Base: Players are immune from being tagged if they are standing and balancing on one foot. They can only do this for three seconds. Then, they have to move around the gym before they stand and balance on one foot again.
  • When a student is tagged they go to the wall and climb up and tap their hand above the highest handhold.
  • Then, climb back down and reenter the game.

 

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Hoop d’Jour

Setup and Equipment:

  • Equipment: Hula Hoops and a sash or jersey for the “its”
  • Twenty five – thirty hula hoops are spread out across the floor.
  • Four – Six students are designated as “its” and stand in the middle of the gym. They will be kicking any of the hoops to try to get them to slide across the floor to hit the players that are running across the floor filled with hoops.
  • The rest of the class starts the game at one end of the gym.
  • This is a a tag game that lasts for one – two minutes for each set of taggers. It works best to make sure that everyone gets a turn. They really enjoy the way the hoops slide on the floor.

Rules:

  • The teacher starts the music and  the runners will try to navigate themselves through the hoops without stepping on or being being tagged by a sliding hula hoop.
  • Players that touch or are tagged on the feet by a moving hula hoop must stop running and stand frozen and balance on one foot inside of a hoop. They can be defrosted and return to playing when one of their classmates gives them a high-five.
  • When the runners have made it to the other side or are frozen and balancing on one foot the teacher stops the game. When everyone is standing on the end line, restart the music and the players will try to run back their original starting line.
  • Continue having students run back and fort for a couple of minutes, then choose new taggers to kick the hula hoops.
  • Repeat the same game format for each new set of taggers until everyone has a turn.
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Polyspot Basketball: All Grades

polyspot

Setup and Equipment:

  • Polyspots are lined up in half/circle fashion in front of four basketball hoops. It helps to have basketball hoops of different heights.
  • Each team (6 teams) has a basketball to dribble to a spot on the floor.
  • Set up the spots so that the green and yellow spots are at the taller hoops and harder shots. The purple and orange spots will be the easiest shots at the shortest hoops.
  • 20 points for yellow – 20 points for green
  • 10 points for red and blue
  • 5 points for purple- 5 points for orange

Rules :

  • On the start signal, one player from each team will dribble to a spot and try score a basket.
  • The players may have both feet on the spot, or one foot in back and one foot on the spot. No feet in front of the spot.
  • If they miss the shot, they have one more opportunity to make it.
  • If both shots are missed, they must dribble back to their relay team and pass to the next player in line.
  • If the shot is made on the first or second try, the player should pick up that spot and dribble the ball in one hand and carry the spot in the other hand back to their relay team. Pass the ball to the next player in line and go to the end of the line.
  • A maximum of one polyspot per turn.
  • Each team will start a pile of spots and try to accumulate the most points.
  • Remind players that they must dribble to and from the polyspots.
  • At the end of the game, teams may count up their points.
  • The Most Fun Wins!
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Offense vs. Defense: Soccer Style Take a Chance

foam+bowlingSetup and Equipment

  • Soft balls that can be kicked in the gym.
  • Enough pins/targets for each pair of players.
  • Form two lines next to each other at one end of the gym. One line is offense, the other line is defense. (Use cones to designate).
  • One player from the offensive line enters the game with their defensive partner
    • The defensive partner picks up a foam target and sets in down on a a spot. They will be trying to protect their team’s target.
    • The offensive partner picks up a foam soccer ball. They will be moving anywhere in the gym in an attempt to knock over other targets by kicking the ball. They cannot work to help their defensive partner.
  • The teacher will need to stand at the beginning of the lines, to help students get a ball for the offense and a target/pin for the defense. It will help the game to move along if the teacher stays in that area during the game.
  • Have 3 or 4 people in the “next in line ” to start the game.

Guidelines

  • Play begins…
  • The object of the game is for the defensive player on each team to block any shots at their target.
  • The offensive partner will be moving around the gym and attempt to knock over other targets by using soccer skills, while kicking ball. keep your target up while knocking other targets over.
  • When a foam target is knocked down -the defensive player should tell their offensive partner that they are out. Then they bring their target to the line and hand it to the next person in the defensive line.
  • Now the players will switch their roles in the game. The defensive player goes to the end of  the offensive line, while the offensive player will now go to the end of the defensive line.
  • Players always switch from offense to defense after each turn.
  • Game continues for as long as time permits.

 

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Basketball: Guard the Target

This a great small group activity that allows for a lot of practice passing a basketball or a softer ball for younger students.

Equipment and Setup:

  • One Basketball of Playground ball per group and one foam target.
  • Break  into groups of six to eight students.
  • Form a circle that is outside the distance of a 4 square court. Use the 4-square court if you are able to.
  • One person is in the middle, their job is to try and keep the foam target from being knocked over.

Guidelines

  • The players in the circle pass the ball around the outside of the circle until they see someone open that has a good shot at knocking over the target.
  • If the foam target is knocked over, the person in the center goes to the circle and those two players exchange places.
  •  Play continues with a new person in the middle.

Other Ideas: If the skill level is very high, you could add a second ball.

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Balloon Games

Balloon Keep it Up

  • Grade level: 2nd and up
  • Equipment: one ball or balloon for every group of four to six students.

Guidelines: 

  • See how long your group can keep the ball in the air, or count consecutive taps.
  • No one may tap the ball twice in a row.
  • Other ways to tap, elbows, shoulders, punches
  • Variation: Everyone must tap the ball once before anyone can tap it again softly.
  • Use the verbal cue “tap”, instead of “hit.” Try to stay in your own area.
  • Variation: Play one group against another. See which group can keep the ball up the longest.

Balloon Tap Race

  • Equipment : Balloon for each team,
  • Split each team in half, so there are 2-4 on each end of the gym.

Guidelines:

  • The ball is tapped in the air and each person on the first team take turns keeping the balloon in the air in an attempt to move the balloon to the opposite end of the gym.
  • When the balloon reaches the other end of the gym the balloon is passed to the other half of the team, while the 1st half of the team takes their places at that end of the gym.
  • How many times can your team move the balloon to the opposite end in 4 minutes.
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Hospital Tag

Setup and Equipment:

  • The boundaries are the black lines in front of each wall in the gym.
  • All players must stay inside of the black lines.
  • If a player goes outside of the boundaries they must perform one the fitness exercises (listed below).

Guidelines:

  • Everyone is “it”and may tag others with a gentle two finger touch.
  • You may not tag the students next to you at the beginning of the game.
  • If you are tagged you may continue running but must put a hand over the area of your body that was tagged.
  • If you are tagged a second time you may continue running, but now your other hand should cover the second tagged spot.
  • On the third tag, you must go outside of the black line and perform a “ten count” strength building or flexibility activity.

Examples of Exercises after 3rd Tag:

  • For Strength Building: ten sit -ups, ten count v-sit, or ten push – ups (modified are acceptable)
  • For Flexibility: Hamstring, shoulder, or calf stretch performed for twenty seconds.
  • Skill Building: Dribble ten times with one hand and ten times with the other.
  • Other Options:
  • Climb the wall and touch your hand above the highest handhold.
  • Run up the stairs in the gym, touch the door, and run down the stairs.
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Keep Away

 Setup and Equipment:

  •   One soft ball for 6-7 players standing in a four square or circle (10X10)
  •   One player is in the middle

 Guidelines:

  •   Players pass the ball around or through the square – no passing to the person next to you.
  •   If a ball is dropped the person that dropped it goes to the middle
  •   If a ball is uncatchable, the person that threw it switches places with the person in the center.
  •   If the center player steals the ball, they switch places with the player that threw the ball
  •   The center player may also get out by tagging the player that is holding the ball
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Inclusion Tag

Inclusion Tag: This is a variation of Blog tag

No equipment needed

● There are no safe bases in this tag game.
● Pick four people to be “taggers”. You may tag with your hand, using a gentle touch (shoulders
and below). Ready, Go:
● When you are tagged, join hands or elbows with your tagger. Now two people are taggers and
they move together in an attempt to tag more people.
● When the group has four people in it, it breaks into two groups of two and both groups
continue tagging and growing their group to a maximum of four.
● This continues until all or nearly all of the people in class have been tagged.

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