As students get older, their interests definitely change. Along with that, keeping them engaged throughout an entire PE gym class seems to become more and more difficult. When it comes to finding engaging games for your middle school students, it mostly comes down to knowing them and knowing where they’re at developmentally. This list of 27 PE games will help to give you an outlook on what your students like and where they should be.
Whether it be a team game, an individual game, or an entire class game, students should be prepared and ready to have a fun PE class. Knowing why you’re playing a particular game or teaching a specific lesson is vital to students’ success. It’s also vital to their interest. Don’t fall behind when it comes to a successful gym class, be sure to give your students all of the support they need to have something to look forward to.
1. Consecutive Hits
Turning physical activities into a fun game is often one of the main goals of middle school PE teachers. This simple game will be a fit for all skills and will also be perfect for indoor and outdoor lesson plans.
Learn More: HPE Zack Baker
2. Reaction Challenge
This excellent game will help your middle schoolers work not only on building their hand-eye coordination but also on their reaction time. Along with that, it’s an engaging amount of competition while also putting students with different skill levels together.
Learn More: Sarah Casey PE
3. Chase
This is both an indoor and outdoor game that’s simple and hardly requires any equipment. It’s also great for any grade level. Physical education games like this one can be used to challenge students to improve both overall agility and cardio.
Learn More: HPE Zack Baker
4. Ultimate Frisbee
There’s no doubt that sticking to traditional games is always an easy win with most of the kids in your PE class. Ultimate frisbee is the perfect game for that. Working not only on your student’s fitness level but also helping to build teamwork skills essential to the middle school curriculum.
Learn More: YouTube
5. Give A Choice
Providing your kiddos with a choice in their own lesson plans could potentially make kiddos love PE class. Undoubtedly, some students lose interest as they get older and more in tune with their bodies. Providing options for cooperative games and maybe even a common game for them will lead to more prosperous classes.
Learn More: Phys ED 4 Life
6. Skittle Scoops
This creative game will fall under some of your most engaging games throughout the year. The more competitive students will surely be able to show their skills, and other students at a more basic level will get to go at their own pace. It’s sort of a win-win for everyone.
Learn More: CMS Phys ED
7. X Factor Fitness
This activity is for students with high confidence levels who are very dedicated to their school gym class. If students aren’t that into it, you might be some less active players. Having creative plans with an activity for everyone is essential here.
Learn More: HPE Zack Baker
8. Quick Aerobics
This aerobic activity is an amazing indoor game. Finding activities for middle school students in the cold winter months can be challenging. So use this active game to raise their cardio and get some of their energy out.
Learn More: Mrs. Taylor Fitness
9. Kan Jam
Kan Jam is a game that most middle school students will be familiar with. It’s a fantastic coordination game that will be fun for students of all skill levels. Be sure to monitor to keep a fair game between competitive students.
Learn More: HPE Zack Baker
10. Treasure Island
Make some class teams and watch students try to win out Treasure Island! This is perfect for the age where students don’t like being touched or super close to each other. Giving active time throughout the day is vital for students’ success. If you have the playing space then this game is a perfect option.
Learn More: Phys ED 4 Life
11. Monkey Pong
If you have a Ping Pong table and are not utilizing it by playing Monkey Pong, then you’re doing it wrong! This game doesn’t have complicated rules, and it’s all about cooperative teamwork. Making it the ideal game for middle school.
Learn More: Coach Easley
12. Dice Fitness
Dice fitness gives your kiddos an amazing variation for any series of stretches or exercises. This can fall under your equipment-free games and lesson plans. Perfect for those indoor PE classes.
Learn More: Phys Ed 4 Life
13. Badminton Tournament
The cool thing about badminton is that it can be played without a net! Simply the use of cones will suffice for an entire tournament. Making for a great playing space that’s easy and gives kiddos a chance to cooperate in competitive sports.
Learn More: X Advantage PE Eagles Rise
14. Classic Volleyball
Volleyball is a great lesson to be taught to kiddos throughout middle school. This game will help your students to participate in competitive games while also giving them a chance to learn the rules and regulations of quite the game.
Learn More: Luhi PE
15. Tic Tac Toe
Using a bunch of hula hoops to make giant tic tac toe boards might just be the best idea you’ve had as a PE teacher. Not only will students know and understand this game, but they’ll also love the competition. Due to the added cardio aspect, this will be more complex than the game they’re used to.
Learn More: Mrs. Taylor Fitness
16. Yoga
Have your kids participate in some yoga during their PE class. Using a basic yoga post for beginners to more complex yoga pose as students get more experienced. This will help them to build up basic skills of peace and tranquility.
Learn More: St. Martin’s MD
17. CPR
Undoubtedly, all students should be equipped to perform CPR if there’s an emergency. Where else to teach it than in your middle school PE class? Bring someone and get all of your kiddos certified and trained in CPR!
Learn More: CMS Phys Ed
18. Fencing With Noodles
Safe and competitive fencing techniques are taught in middle school PE classes. This activity is excellent for upper middle schoolers that are able to safely participate in competitive class activities.
Learn More: Cantley Phys Ed
19. Team Building
Building with buckets is a great way to get your students to be creative and work together. Whether you’re having them mirror your creation or letting them build their own, it doesn’t matter! This is both fun and active when using the big buckets.
Learn More: St. Andrew UT
20. Score Scramble
This game is all about foot-eye coordination (if you will). Watch as students work together to get the ball into the net. Students will save their balls in their goal. This will help to ensure that students are getting enough active involvement.
Learn More: Jason Shegda
21. Flasketball
This game has similar rules to ultimate frisbee but it’s really quite the integration of a variety of sports. The first, of course, is basketball. Next comes the use of footballs and the rules of ultimate frisbee. The object of the game is to score the football into the basketball hoop.
Learn More: Phys Ed Games
22. Spud
Spud is one of those classic games that students will constantly be asking to play for future decades! This game is both super simple, and all students can play. The only requirement is knowing how to count (or just remembering, for that matter) and also being able to run.
Learn More: Phys ED Games
23. Last Man Standing
Middle school kids will not only have fun with this game, but they’ll also be highly challenged. They will be forced to practice quite the intense cardio workout throughout the game.
Learn More: Phys ED Games
24. Battleship
Activities like this will help students work together and build lasting memories. It’s so much fun for all students involved. You’ll see how quickly students attach to this game and continuously ask to play.
Learn More: Joelle Newman
25. Handball
Handball is an engaging game in which kids of all skill levels can be competitive. The alternative is something called chair ball. Chair ball is when students stand on the chair with a basket and try to catch the ball rather than shoot in a basket.
Learn More: AHSD25 South
26. Virtual PE Class
Yes, we are in an age where virtual PE classes are no surprise. Of course, at this point, the pandemic is improving, and teachers worldwide have learned to adapt. BUT that doesn’t mean we’ll never run into virtual classes again. It doesn’t hurt to have some lesson plans set on the back burner these days.
Learn More: Mr. Cerrillo PE
27. The Hunger Games
In middle school, students are ready to read or watch the movie The Hunger Games. See who volunteers as tribute in this fun and exciting PE game.
Learn More: School Videos
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