Physical education is the best part of the day for many children! They love moving around and getting a break from sitting in the classroom. Physical education classes should be fun and allow for some creative options that move your students away from sedentary behavior. If you’re a physical education teacher, why not add some variety to your fitness lessons by incorporating everyday items? Check out our collection of 52 energizing ideas to enhance the activity time in your elementary physical education classes!
1. Noodle Hockey
Let’s start things off with something simple, shall we? Give each student a different color pool noodle and prompt them to play a safe game of noodle hockey. Simply choose a grassy area and provide a small ball for them to try to get and get into a set of goalposts.
Learn More: My Baba
2. Ninja Warrior Course
Creating a ninja warrior course in your gym may be the highlight of the day for your physical education classes. This is a smart addition to your physical activity program because it includes many different skills and can help improve agility, flexibility, and friendly competition. If you’re keen on giving it a test run yourself, set up a simple obstacle course for your kiddos to work their way through.
Learn More: SSWW
3. Balloon Tennis
If you need a quick and easy idea, try this one! Bring about a simple game of tennis using paper plates, balloons, glue, and popsicle sticks. Invite your kiddos to hit the balloons up with their makeshift paddles- aiming to keep them in the air for as many volleys as possible.
Learn More: Pinterest
4. Fitness Dice
Here’s an ideal activity for your younger elementary learners. As they’re constantly working to improve the development of their motor skills, why not turn these activities into a fun game? Simply have them roll a die and complete the corresponding activity.
Learn More: Homeschool Here
5. Survivor Tag
Always a fun game for students, this is a twist on the classic game of tag because if a learner is tagged, they must sit down where they are. As gameplay continues, they must watch the person who tagged them and if that person is tagged, then they can stand up and run again. We bet this will become a favorite recess game as well!
Learn More: Pinterest
6. Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag
This is an enjoyable game for a physical education class. Play rock, paper, scissors with your little ones and have the loser remain frozen whilst the winner runs to the next person. Once your kids play and win, they can unfreeze and run to find someone else to play with again.
Learn More: Grade Onederful
7. Race to the Galaxy Game
Here’s a fun racing game for your next physical education lesson. Challenge your students to run and find their set of assigned matching bean bags- aiming to collect them all before another team collects theirs. The trick is that they must avoid stepping in “lava” and getting caught in hula hoops along the way.
Learn More: SSWW
8. Plant the Trees Agility Game
Plant the Trees is a fantastic game for improving speed and agility. To begin gameplay, blow a whistle and challenge your kids to run to the opposite side of a field and pick up bean bags; carting them back to the starting side one at a time.
Learn More: Prime Coaching Sport
9. Fruit Salad Dodge Ball
Thought that the classic game of dodgeball couldn’t get any harder? Think again! This survival-based version will challenge your kids to remain in the center whilst avoiding being hit with the ball. If they’re hit at any point, they must move outside and away from gameplay. This is a great game to play with class sizes of at least ten students.
Learn More: Prime Coaching Sport
10. Heads or Tails
This is a perfect idea to use on a day when you haven’t had time to prep for a lesson. Give pairs of students a coin and have them toss it to determine which activities to complete based on the above printout. This is also a good way to get your learners warmed up at the start of activity time.
Learn More: Pinterest
11. Scooter Obstacle Course
It’s no secret that kids love scooters! So, why not design an obstacle course that your students can work their way through while riding their scooters? We love this idea because it’s both simple and fun! Better yet- you can get your kiddos involved in mapping out the course!
Learn More: Meraki Lane
12. Hungry Human Hippos
If your class goal is to have fun, here’s a must-include idea! Pair your students up and equip each team with a skateboard and a washing basket or bucket. Then, have them lie on their bellies on the skateboard and use their basket to collect balls that have been pre-scattered across the center of the gym floor!
Learn More: The Chaos and the Clutter
13. Cone Race
This activity is geared toward kids in 1st grade and younger. Help them develop their motor skills as they try to place cut-up pool noodles over tall plastic pipes that have been placed in cones to hold them steady. Up the ante by challenging them to work on their color recognition skills by placing like-noodles onto their matching cones.
Learn More: Kids Art & Craft
14. Musical Hoops
This musical movement activity is a variation of the classic musical chairs game. The only real difference is that when the music stops, your students must rush to stand inside a hula hoop. As the activity continues, remove hoola hoops from the floor to up the stakes. Add an extra layer of difficulty by having your students complete a specific locomotor movement or stand inside the hula hoops in a specific pose.
Learn More: The Physical Educator
15. The Caterpillar Scooter Game
A great game for improving teamwork and listening skills; this caterpillar game is fun for all! Have your pupils use their coordination skills to join together and form a long line whilst staying on their scooters. Then, they must figure out how to keep moving the line toward a goal point.
Learn More: The Inspired Treehouse
16. Spider Web Scooter Crawl
This activity will require some setup ahead of time, but make no mistake- it’s totally worth it when you see how much your littles enjoy it! Create a spider web out of yarn and have your students use good coordination skills to work their way through the maze whilst on a scooter. They must lift the yarn and duck underneath it to make their way through whilst not breaking the web.
Learn More: The Inspired Treehouse
17. Jump Rope
Jumping rope is a favorite for kids of all ages! Even your 3rd-grade and 4th-grade students will enjoy this. Transform boring rope jumping into a music-based movement activity by playing a few upbeat tunes that your learners can chant along with as they jump.
Learn More: Pinterest
18. Parachute Fun
Little ones love playing with parachutes! Bring one in and encourage your students to work together and hold the handles of the parachute to move it up and down as they take turns running underneath it- trying to avoid being touched by the parachute at all costs.
Learn More: Mom Junction
19. Scooter Board Relay
Divide your class into teams for this relay activity! When they’re all lined up to begin, they can use the scooters under their feet and get to a checkpoint where they’ll need to pass off the scooter to the next student who’s ready and waiting. The team who makes it to the finish line first wins!
Learn More: Keeping Kids in Motion
20. Mario Kart Battle Boards
If you’re keen on incorporating ball play into your physical education lesson, try out this game of Mario Kart Battle Boards. The aim of the game is for your learners to creep around mats that are standing upright. The “villains” must try to hit the good guys’ battle boards and knock off a tennis ball which should be placed atop a cone and on a scooter.
Learn More: PE Universe
21. Scooter Board Jumping
This is a good activity for preschool through 1st grade. Invite your pupils to use a scooter to move around and push their feet against a wall to help them jump up from a sitting position. This is a good way to strengthen their leg muscles and practice using a scooter for later, more intricate, activities.
Learn More: Pink Oatmeal
22. Wall Ball
Wall Ball is a sure-fire winner for 4th and 5th-grade kiddos! All in all it’s simple- have your learners throw a ball against a wall and practice catching it again. They can also enjoy this activity by kicking the ball against the wall instead of throwing it.
Learn More: Pink Oatmeal
23. Shoebox Slide
For this activity, have your learners race with shoeboxes on their feet! The objective is to glide across the gym floor or field to see which team is the fastest. You can add an extra challenge by setting up obstacles that they will need to navigate along the way.
Learn More: Very Well Family
24. Soccer
Why not get your kiddos to try a game of soccer during their next physical education lesson slot? This will help with running and coordination as they’ll learn to control the ball while moving down the field. Two teams will play against each other; each team heading for the other’s goal and using only their feet and head to move the ball toward victory.
Learn More: ABCDee Learning
25. Portable Balance Games
This is perfect for all physical activity levels! It incorporates balance and gross motor skills whilst challenging your students to walk along upside-down buckets that have been pre-placed. Be sure to line them up in a way that offers more of a challenge than just a straight line.
Learn More: Sleeping Should be Easy
26. Drop the Penny
This relay race-style activity is great fun for learners of various ages. Start by splitting your students into teams and designating two lines; one for starting and one for turning around. Once gameplay begins, have your learners race to pick up a penny and drop it into their team bowl upon returning to the starting point. The team with the most pennies in their bowl at the end of the game will be crowned victorious
Learn More: Very Well Family
27. Cornhole
Cornhole is a great physical activity if you’re on the hunt for something low-prep and gears up to more intricate throwing and catching ideas. During play, they’ll develop their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Simply have them toss the bean bags onto the game board; aiming for the cutout spaces.
Learn More: SSWW
28. Cops and Robbers Tag
Elementary physical education wouldn’t be complete without a game of tag! This is a good game to play at the start of the year to help get your kiddos primed for more competitive games. Use this cops and robbers version to teach your pupils how to complete a soft touch and not hurt others when playing. Cops simply chase the robbers!
Learn More: Kid Activities
29. Dizzy Kickball
This is a fun and funny game to play! With a twist on the traditional game of kickball, your students should close their eyes and spin around a few times before kicking an awaiting ball. Then, they must run to their base just like in traditional kickball. We bet your kiddos will be giggling during and long after the game has ended!
Learn More: Scholastic
30. Air Pong
Physical education lessons that can combine many skills are the best! This game of air pong is a fun way to get your littles to develop their motor skills. The aim is simple- to hit the ball, or a balloon, onto their opponent’s mat. The trick is that they must be careful not to hit it out of bounds.
Learn More: Be Well Played
31. Rabbit Hole
This game is ideal for lower elementary grades. Have your students enter into the space of a hula hoop that’s positioned atop a set of cones; being mindful to avoid knocking anything out of place. Then, your kiddos can sneak out; pretending to be rabbits and making sure they aren’t captured by the awaiting fox.
Learn More: The Inspired Treehouse
32. Around the World
Invite your kids to engage in a basketball-based game called “Around the World”. They will simply take turns shooting the basketball around their body at various points on the basketball court. When they make it to the basket, and successfully shoot their shot, they can move to the next spot. If they miss the shot, they must return to the beginning to start over.
Learn More: Backyard Sidekick
33. Throw and Catch Tic-Tac-Toe
Transform tic, tac, toe into a game that’s larger than life! Challenge your students to work in pairs as one stands in a hula hoop and waits to catch the ball that’s tossed by their teammate. If they catch it, they can add their colored marker to the tic-tac-toe board. If they drop it, their teammate can add their marker. The first player to get three in a row wins!
Learn More: The PE Shed
34. Simon Says
Most kids have a basic understanding of how to play Simon Says. Say goodbye to the old, boring version and take things up a notch by incorporating the names of more specific body parts. For example, direct your students to touch their femur or wiggle their phalanges! What a great way to reinforce basic biology!
Learn More: Education World
35. Jumping Jack Challenge
Get your little athletes to compete to see who can complete the most jumping jacks. Participants can go head-to-head individually or partner up in teams. Encourage the class to set a numerical goal and then push themselves to exceed it.
Learn More: Great Schools
36. Pac-Man Dribble
Pac-Man dribble may sound somewhat complex, but it’s really simple! Have each player follow along the lines on the gymnasium floor while dribbling a basketball. The goal is to keep control of the ball as they dribble and avoid getting tagged by a student who has been designated as “Pac-Man”.
Learn More: Cap’n Pete’s Power PE
37. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a favorite for a reason. Get your learners to toss a small beanbag or other marker into the first square of the grid. If it hits the target, they must hop on one foot into the first empty square before manoeuvring their way through the rest of the grid. Have everyone in the class take turns until they complete the course.
Learn More: Parents
38. Fitness Charades
Fitness Charades is the perfect physical education game for elementary school children. It’s an active game that will get the blood flowing whilst engaging the brain as well! The leader can simply call out different actions that your students can act out. A few ideas to get started could be anything such as swinging a baseball bat or walking a tightrope.
Learn More: PBS
39. Human Bowling
For this fun activity, you’ll need inflatable bowling pins and scooters. To engage, have your students work together to use their bodies to knock down as many pins as possible. What an awesome way to learn about teamwork!
Learn More: S&S Blog
40. Mini Golf
This awesome mini golf idea is sure to be popular among your learners. Your kiddos will undoubtedly enjoy designing and putting together their own mini golf course. Best of all- they can enjoy it time and time again once it’s assembled.
Learn More: SSWW
41. Partner Football Throw and Catch
Have your pupils pair up to enjoy a classic game of catch using a football. This activity will give them the opportunity to practice catching and throwing, while working on enhancing their communication skills as they play.
Learn More: Cap’n Pete’s Power PE
42. Line Dancing
This activity is one of our personal favorites. Teach your kiddos how to line dance to popular songs, while having fun with their friends. Line dancing has been proven to improve coordination and balance, whilst boosting self-esteem as well.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
43. Tug of War
This lesson starts with a read-aloud during which your kiddos will learn all about how their muscles work. Once the story has been read, everyone will have the chance to put their muscles to work in a fun game of Tug of War.
Learn More: Just Adapt It
44. Fitness Bingo
Fitness Bingo is an excellent idea if you’re keen on having your kiddos work their whole bodies. To begin, each student should be given a Bingo card. As the exercises are called out, your pupils should complete 10 reps and cross each one off of their cards as they go. The first person to call out “Bingo” after having completed their card will be crowned the winner.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
45. Sack Race
Sack races are fun for children of all ages! Participants should each wiggle their way into a sack and ready themselves at a starting line. Once the whistle is blown, everyone should start hopping their way to the finish line!
Learn More: Help My Kid Learn
46. Yoga
Although a slower approach to the typical fast-paced physical activities, yoga does wonders for the body! Introduce your students to easy poses like downward dog and child’s pose to get them primed for more complex movements. As they become more comfortable, challenge them to try their hand at more difficult poses like the handstand.
Learn More: Bod Lifestyle
47. Volleyball 4-Square
Volleyball 4-square is played similarly to traditional 4-square, but your students will also be expected to practice various volleyball skills such as setting, passing, and serving. One thing is certain though- players don’t have to know much about volleyball to enjoy this fun game with their friends.
Learn More: School Specialty
48. Wheelbarrow Race
Wheelbarrow races are tons of fun! Arrange your learners in pairs- with one of them assigned as the “wheelbarrow”, walking on their hands, and the other one as the “driver”, holding their partner’s legs. The first pair to reach the finish line wins!
Learn More: Party Games 4 Kids
49. Zumba Kids Dance Fitness
Zumba Kids is an amazing dance fitness program for school-aged children. It’s a great way for kids to get their energy out while enjoying their favorite songs. We bet your pupils will have so much fun that they won’t even realize that they’re exercising.
Learn More: YouTube
50. Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is pretty similar to soccer. Split your students into teams of five and pass a frisbee to their teammates until they score a goal. The team with the most goals will win the game. This is a fun and exciting way for your students to practice working in teams and honing their hand-eye coordination.
Learn More: Organize with Sandy
51. Gymnastics Challenges
If you have aspiring gymnasts in your PE class, they’re sure to love these challenges. Your students will quickly learn different types such as balancing, rolling, and tumbling as they play around on soft mats. They can also try cartwheels for an added challenge.
Learn More: Gopher Sport
52. The Floor is Lava
We guarantee that your little ones will have a blast pretending that the gym floor is lava! Play music as your students run around the gymnasium. As soon as the music stops, give the players 10 seconds to find an object to stand on. If they touch the floor once the time has ended, they’ll be out of gameplay.
Learn More: Fun Games Kids Play
29 Free Word Cloud Generators For Teachers