Category: Outdoor

Army & Navy

Grade Level: 2-8
Equipment: None
Game Description: This fitness or warm-up/running game is a calling game. The caller (usually the teacher) calls out these commands:

Army: Run to one side of the gym
Navy: Run to the other side of the gym
Hit the deck: Lie face down
At ease: Stand up

Try adding some rules such as “first one to Army gets a point” or “last one to Navy is out”. Players must be careful to wait for the “At Ease” command before getting up to run somewhere. Or add your own ideas to modify this quick physical education game to suit your needs. (Thanks to Justin for this game idea)

Pass & Score Tag

Grade Level: 2-6
Equipment: 2 Pool Noodles, 2 Foam balls
Game Description: Play tag, while throwing and catching, and scoring points, and switching roles – great mixture of ideas into a single game! The taggers tag with the pool noodles. The freers (who hold the foam balls) aren’t allowed to move with the ball, but aim to throw the ball to those who have been tagged. If caught, a point is earned for both players. The one who caught the ball is now a freer. Sound like a fun idea? Give it a go and see how it goes! Thanks John Pass for this game idea.

Flag Tag

Grade Level: 3-8
Equipment: Flags, 2 boxes, pinnies
Game Description: This is a type of steal the flag game where teams face off and try to be the first team to snag all of the flags off of their opponents. Good lead-up game for flag football or an action-packed stand-alone game to try out. Thanks to @MrRosenberg_PE for this game idea!

Wall Ball

Grade Level: 5-8
Equipment: Tennis ball, wall to throw against
Game Description: A version of the popular recess game. Anywhere from 3-10 players can play this game. It’s a series of throws and catches against a wall with the purpose of getting others out and becoming the last one left! There are many versions of this game, but this one makes sure players aren’t throwing the ball at other players! Lots of fun and a great way to PLAY. Go out and do something active at recess, instead of standing around – treat your body right with a good game of wall ball.

Field Hunters

Grade Level: K-6
Equipment: Pennies, Bingo Chips, Other..
Game Description: Once upon a time in a large grassy field, the teacher threw 100’s of pennies in all directions in the grass. The students were then given 5 minutes to hunt out and find as many of those pennies. See which team or individual collects the most pennies before the time runs out! Simple warm-up. Simple way to get everyone active.

Triple Ball

Grade Level: 4-8
Equipment: 3 balls, Hula hoop, cones
Game Description: Triple ball is like a mini version of Kickball. With 3 balls. Kicking and fielding positions are played, and there’s no shortage of activity. Small groups can set themselves all throughout the field and PLAY!

Knock It Off

Grade level: 3-8
Equipment: Cones, soccer balls, tennis balls
Game Description: In this game partners work together by taking turns kicking the soccer ball at the target cones in order to knock off the tennis balls balanced on top. It’s great practice for the passing or kicking skill, as well as a good amount of cardio work. Many groups can be set-up throughout the field or gym to maximize contacts with the ball and accuracy improvement. Read More →

Everybody’s It

Grade level: 1-8
Equipment: None
Game Description: ‘Everybody’s It’ is a classic all-time favorite tag game with non-stop action! Everybody is it, and everybody can also get tagged. If a player gets tagged, he must sit where he was tagged.  He is stuck down until the player who tagged him gets tagged, and then he’s back up.  It’s that simple!  This is a very active game; lots of running. If players are sitting too long then the teacher can yell out, “free pass” and then they can get back up. If players tag eachother at the same time then they play a round of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ to see who sits. Read More →