The world is finally opening back up! Social gatherings like schools, clubs, and programs will be back to regular programming. PE activities and games are important when trying to establish a safe and inclusive classroom environment. Games help children develop social and emotional skills, but providing them with a safe environment to play is crucial in these times. Since schools are reopening following the COVID outbreak, kids must play safe and have fun when schools reopen.
1. Charades
Let students put on a show! Charades is an active game where players pretend to be characters or books in movies and television shows. Each round, they try to guess the titles of various characters and storylines. Each player has to pretend to be a character or book to win. charades is a simple but fun game that can be played by kids of all ages, and requires no social contact
Learn More: Speech and Language
Looking for fun and educational kits for kids? Check out our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids
2. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to introduce kids to the outdoors. It can be challenging but it can also be fun. This activity can be done in groups or individually. Students can bring back the items they found and make a collage.
Learn More: Pinterest
3. Field Day
A field day is a great way to introduce kids to new activities and build social connections. It can also help them concentrate in class. Water balloon toss, 100-yard dash, and egg-and-spoon race are all socially distanced field day activities.
Learn More: Outdoor Family Lifestyle
4. Simon Says -Workout Edition
Simon Says is a game that lets kids play without being separated from their peers. It’s a great way to encourage socially distanced fun. Instruct students to do different workouts. Explain to your kids that when Simon says something, they have to follow the instructions. For instance, if Simon says “do ten push-ups” then everyone in the class has to do the same. This is a great way to get students moving while staying 6 feet apart.
Learn More: The Tilth
5. Dance Battle
There’s no better way to get your body moving than a dance battle. Get your kids to do a class dance-off. You will have a great time watching them learn their best moves. The kids should form a large circle with everyone an arm’s length apart. Whatever move the dance master does the other students have to copy the moves. When everyone has had a go, keep going around the circle until everyone has had a chance to be the dance master.
Learn More: Twinkl
6. Jump Rope Challenge
Jump rope is an active and healthy activity that can be played with friends and family.
Have your kids jump rope for a challenge to see how long they can keep it up. Or, have them try some different tricks to see how far they can jump without stopping.
Learn More: The Inspired Treehouse
7. Flag Football
Learn how to play flag football is easy! This simple game is ideal for kids and adults. Flag football rules are simple to follow and can be adapted to fit any size playing area. These basic rules will help get started with this popular sport. Split kids into two groups and choose one person from the offense side to be the receiver. The receiver will try to get to the goal line of the opposing team. If one of the flags on the receiver is removed, then the point is lost and it’s the other team’s turn.
Learn More: Game on Family
8. Freeze Dance
If your kids love to dance then, invite them to play a game of freeze dance. Each child needs a designated spot in the back yard 6-feet apart. You can use rope or hula hoops to designated spots. When the music stops, everyone stops and freezes. If someone doesn’t freeze, then order them to do physical activity like jumping jacks, squats, or push-ups.
Learn More: My Tuesday Therapy
9. Noodle Tag
Noodle Tag puts a fun spin on the classic game of tag. It’s safe, requires no social contact, and is great cardio. Give a pool noodle to every student. Whoever is “it” uses the noodle to tag the next person. Just make sure that everyone uses the end of the noodle to tag their friends.
Learn More: Youth Group Collective
10. Kick Ball
Kickball is a competitive activity that has a setup similar to baseball. A student kicks the ball and runs around bases without getting tagged. Set up the bases like a baseball diamond. Each team has two players. The opposing team decides who will be the starting pitcher. The kids then go to the field and try to catch the ball.
11. Sun, Moon, and Earth
To set up, place cones at least 6 feet apart and then let your kids can draw pictures of the planets or sun and tape them to the cones. You’ll shout a direction and the cone students should go to. For example, children could run to the sun cone, skip to the moon, and hop to the earth. They’ll need to listen closely to the instructions if they want to avoid doing five jumping jacks!
Learn More: Asphalt Green
12. The Mirror Game
A simple but fun way for students to work together while being active. One student is the mirror, and the mirror does different workout moves (squats, jumping jacks, running in place, etc.) The other student has to copy the exact moves, if the student misses a move they lose.
Learn More: Sharin’ with Sharron
13. Yoga
Yoga is a gentle form of strength training that helps develop mindfulness and improve physical strength. It can also be used as a social activity, as it is a non-competitive activity that can be done anywhere. For kids, mark off a space on the floor. Then, lead them through a series of simple yoga moves designed to improve concentration and relaxation.
Learn More: Knee Bees
14. Shark Zone
This game can be adapted to fit into a safe distance PE game that’s also fun for teams. To set up lay down blue mats and then place different items on top of the mats(ex. balance beams, chairs, and other furniture). The water (blue mat) is the shark zone and the items are the safe zone. Their task is to find a way to get from one safe zone to the next without falling into the water. Students start at the beginning of the course and move one by one until they reach the end.
Learn More: American Coaching Academy
15. Fitness Bingo
This activity is great for kids who are new to fitness or just want to improve their balance and strength. They can use the floor as their own space, and they can set a goal number for each exercise. Mark off areas on the floor that are at least six feet apart to help minimize confusion. Give students Bingo sheets with exercises listed with directions for each exercise (number of repetitions or time).
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
These games are fun for younger and older kids. Getting back actively in a safe way is going to be a challenge for some people. It’s going to be a year full of new challenges and you’re going to have to rely on all of your teaching superpowers. You want to ensure that students are learning in a fun and safe environment.
18 Engaging Chemical Bonding Activities for Your Classroom