Invasion games may have just been some of the most fun games you played as a kid. They were definitely some of my favorites, but I had no idea that they were actually teaching me something so crucial. These games teach our kiddos so many different aspects of life and of navigating the world in general.
Finding the right games in order to help your students develop in the realms of honesty, teamwork, endurance, and courage can be difficult. Nonetheless, they are out there! Actually, there are a ton of different activities out there.
This article lays out a list of 20 invasion games that will make some of the best lesson plans. So sit back, learn a little or learn a lot, and most of all enjoy!
1. Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a favorite among all grades! Turn this into an invasion game by setting up mats and giving students different tools to fight out their opponents. Turning a classic game into a creative game will surely get your students excited.
Learn More: KLASS Primary PE & Sport
2. Attack and Defense
Developmental games like invasion games are extremely important to students’ understanding of what it means to both attack and defend. There are tons of team games out there, but this game can be played as 1 on 1, making it much more challenging for students.
Learn More: Haileybury Astana Athletics
3. Pirate Invasion
This two-sided game will give students the chance to live as pirates. A more popular invasion game that students will absolutely love. Students must race to collect as many pieces of pirates’ booty (tennis balls) that they can!
Learn More: Team Get Involved
4. Pass the Ball, Invade the Space
There are different tactics of gameplay that students can use in this activity. The game variation here can be easily adapted to students of all ages. The idea is to pass the bar from one side to the other and invade the other team’s space.
Learn More: Safa Community School
5. Hockey Invasion
If you’re searching game sites for invasion games, you better check this one out! It’s definitely a tiring game and great for older students. This fun team game will give your students a better understanding of navigating the court, through hockey.
Learn More: Mr. Currie
6. Flasketball
Flasketball is one of those fun gym games that students will be asking to play for years to come. Combining football with ultimate frisbee, on a basketball court? It might sound more like an experiential activity, but trust us, it’s one of the ultimate invasion games lessons.
Learn More: Physed Games
7. Slappers
One basketball key that isn’t super easy to teach, is tight nit attacks. Meaning players are able to quickly slap the ball out of an opponent’s hand. This is where invasion games come in handy! Slappers is a great game to develop your kiddos and their basketball career.
Learn More: Scribd
8. Keeper of the Castle
This lesson plan is perfect for working on both basic skills as well as teamwork skills. This can literally be played in elementary school and middle school. Add in an extra resource, like more castle keepers, to make it more challenging in the older grades.
Learn More: Physed Games
9. Slide Tag
Slide tag gives all students a common goal; make it to the other side. This is not only an invasion game but also quite an intense physical activity. Students will love playing competitive games like this with their friends.
Learn More: Joey Feith
10. Omnikin Ball
Fun invasion games often require an Omnikin ball. Although it may not be used in many common games, it’s definitely meant for fun games. This is an easy-to-set-up game, with the impression you have an Omnikin ball already blown up.
Learn More: Brian Lewis
11. Bucket Ball
Invade the other team’s side of the court but fill up their bucket! This is an invasion activity for any age or setting. It can even help kids practice their basketball shots!
Learn More: Robin D Cowden
12. Prairie Dog Pickoff
Protect your Prairie dog at all costs! Students will use their motor skills to constantly be moving around their Prairie dogs and homes! Games for children like this are hard to come by, but it is just as much developmental as fun.
Learn More: Joey Feith
13. Space Battle
Space battle really does have it all! This game helps students with ball skills, teamwork skills, and more! It’s really the complete resource to get your kids thinking about and developing both their offensive and defensive strategies.
Learn More: Micah Mauer
14. Bench Ball
Bench ball is a super fun game that helps to easily display resources like a bench goal! Help your students with their teamwork skills by having them come up with different strategies that might work to score against their opponent.
Learn More: iPhys-Ed.com
15. Hopscotch
Yep, hopscotch has been a favorite in Primary school for a long time. It’s time to bring this game back. Turn this classic game into an invasion game to help elementary students think individually and for a period of time about what the best tactic would be.
Learn More: Chacha Teola
16. Container Ball
Playing games with children will help them to learn from observation. There’s no doubt that school-aged children will watch your different tactics. Container Ball is a great game to play with your students.
Learn More: J Kinlaw
17. Crossover
This game will help students to work with and learn different tactics and techniques in order to cross the court or field! The main idea of these types of invasion games is to help students experiment with different techniques to win.
Learn More: Joey Feith
18. Endzones
Endzones will help students to work together in order to develop their juggling skills. Students will be super excited about playing this game with their classmates. They’ll even be more excited to be developing different skills.
Learn More: Joey Feith
19. Alien Invasion
Alien invasion will help your students to work on passing to a moving target. It’s both fun, exciting, and a little bit silly. Making for the perfect game for students of a younger game. Your older students may feel a bit silly playing this one. Nevertheless, it’s still a very admirable passing game.
Learn More: CDO Soccer Club
20. Hulaball
Hulaball is filled with different rules so it won’t be an instant activity. But once students get the hang of it, it might just become one of their favorites. It’s vital for the teacher to completely understand the game before trying to explain it to students.
Learn More: Su Lian