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Most kids love the opportunity to run around and play games. It’s part of being a kid. Whether you teach gym in school and are looking for some unique gym games for kindergarten, or older grades, or if you are looking for something new for your kids to play and be active doing, these gym games are all kid tested and kid approved!
I am a firm believer in introducing kids to a variety of games and sports even at a young age. As young as three years old my children, and students were playing basketball, floor hockey, soccer and volleyball, to name a few.
Of course, it is introduced at an appropriate level, but the skills are still being developed. For many kids, gym class is their first exposure to these sports.
Introducing kids to different gym games and sports may spark an interest and skill that may turn into something for life.
I love doing different active games with kids because of the difference that I always see from the first class, where equipment and basic skills are introduced, to the last class, the amount of growth is always amazing.
If you’re looking for another activity that can get kids up and moving outside of the classroom, check out my Free School Scavenger Hunt Game. Perfect for indoor recess days or simply a way to take learning beyond the classroom.
Never underestimate what a child can do – given the opportunity.
Choosing Your Activities
There are the classic gym games for kindergarten that will always remain popular, such as Octopus and What Time is it Mr. Wolf? There is always time for these games. Even scarf games and activities are classics, and always popular. For some simple scarf games, check out Scarf Games and Activities for Kids.
However, there are also lots of other gym games that are worth introducing to kids of all ages. Below is a collection of a few of the gym games and activities that my students loved and became popular for us to play.
You don’t have to do the games exactly the same way that I describe them. You can always alter them to fit what supplies you have the age group you are working with.
However, I hope an activity, or two, sparks an idea for a new gym game to take back to your gym class.
Some of the games require more equipment than others. A few of the games also integrate other subject areas into the activity.
16 Primary Gym Activities + Gym Games for Kindergarten
Some of the activities are simply an idea that requires no further explanation for how to play it. However, some of the activities include extra photos and ideas. Click the link when provided below the picture for more information.
Always make sure to choose activities that are at the children’s ability level. Make sure to supervise children while doing the activities.
Gym Game for Kindergarten – Hula Hoops
For our first game, we went outside. All you need are hula hoops. Lay the hula hoops randomly around the playing area. I used roughly 1 hoop for every 3-4 players.
Each of the hula hoops are an island. Outside of the hula hoops is water, but in the water there are ‘sharks’. One child is it, or a shark, for the game and cannot go onto an island. This game is basically a different version of tag.
If a child is on an island, the shark cannot touch them. However, on the island, children have to count to 10 and then they have to get off of the island. This prevents children from simply standing on the island.
If they get tagged, they became a shark! Eventually all but one child will become a shark and they are the winner.
I played suspenseful music over my speaker which added to the excitement.
We used the idea of islands and sharks because we were learning about sharks and the ocean in class. You can adapt this game to integrate science by doing a predator-prey type tag.
We did this gym game outside because the weather was beautiful. However, you can do it in a gym. The hula hoops can be slippery if kids are running and step on the hoop. A sheet of construction paper taped to the ground is a better option inside.
Gym Games for Kindergarten – Active Math
The next gym game for kindergarten is a favorite that we play a lot because the children request it. It is simple enough to take outside for a quick gym game and for kids to burn off some energy. I love this active game because it integrates math and gym.
The activity is very easy to prepare, yet it was a lot of fun and it allowed me to take our gym class outside. This activity can be adapted to varying grade levels and various math strands.
The materials you will need are a class set of large wood slices and a large sensory ball.
The wood slices were simply to help with classroom management and indicate to children where they need to stand. If you don’t have wood slices, but like the idea, you could use chalk on tarmac to mark the places.
I laid the slices out in a circle on the grass and each child stood on a wood slice.
Active Math – How to Play
Bounce, or throw the ball to the first child and count aloud “one”. The children who caught the ball then bounces it to another child across from them and says “two” as they throw.
Continue counting as high as the children are able to. We worked together when the numbers got big and children helped each other with the counting.
This activity could easily be changed for older children learning their math facts, such as multiplication. Children need to be listening and following along in case the ball is thrown to them
They would only have a few seconds to think of their answer before they have to throw the ball to the next player.
One child could say a multiplication fact for another child to solve and then bounce the ball to them.
If you are working with young children they could sit and roll the ball instead of bouncing it. It is such a simple idea, but I personally love using it because it gets kids active and engaged in math.
Gym Games for Kindergarten – Team Building
I love this gym game! I have used it with children in intermediate games all the way down to kindergarten. This is a really easy team building game that I remember doing as a kid. It is simple, but requires children to really think and strategize together.
This activity requires no prep and all you need are two large mats. If you don’t have gym mats, you can use large sheets of fabric.
Divide the group of kids into 2 groups and give each group 2 mats. I had at least 10 children in each group.
Starting at the same line, each team needs to figure out a way to get across the gym using only the mats. Oh, and pretend that the floor is lava so you cannot touch it at all!
Groups have to come up with a plan where they are always only touching the mat, but somehow get to other side of the gym.
Those were the only instructions that they were given. Usually children start by trying to push one mat across, which, slowly but surely may work.
Ultimately, children will need to all huddle together on one mat, but then lift the other mat around in front of the one they are standing on and set it down – and then jump over and repeat.
This is a great activity to create team building and problem solving. You won’t believe how engaged and excited children are as they work to get to the other side. There have been many requests to do this again… and again… and again.
Kindergarten Gym Games – Giant Balloons
Everyone was excited to get their hands on these huge balloons! When were were working on volleyball skills in gym these huge balloons were a great way to introduce the unit.
I find with young kids, using any new or interesting equipment for gym games encourages them to move their body and develop their gross motor skills.
You will need 4 large balloons blown up and ready to use (I used a pump). I drew some silly faces on them with permanent marker, just for fun.
We started off in 4 small groups volleying the balloons around to each other. I then challenged children to not touch the balloon twice in a row. Everyone had fun working to keep the balloon off the ground.
I then got out hula hoops and spread them out around the gym. Each child stood in a hula hoop and had to hit the ball to keep it in the air if it came to them.
The hula hoops were a great way to help make sure that everyone got a chance to hit the balloon by keeping children in a specific spot.
We then counted together each time someone hit the balloon and kept counting until it touched the ground.
The balloons would also work well to play a small game of volleyball over an actual net.
Children quickly discovered that our tarmac had a bit of a hill and used it to roll down while dragging the chalk.
Primary + Kindergarten Gym Games
Grab a few more balloons for this active game. Tennis can be tricky for young children to learn. However, using a few simple materials you can make it easier for children to practice the skills.
Balloon tennis is also a great activity to try on a rainy day. It helps promote hand eye coordination for kids of all ages and can be done at home, or school.
Gym Games – Relay Race
Kids love relay races. This gym game took a bit more prep and time to create, but we had a lot of fun with it. I initially created these slider shoes to use for a relay race outside in the winter. I used cookie sheets and created a handle so that they acted as almost snowshoes.
They were a bit slippery and children wore a helmet during their turn, but they had a blast trying out the shoes as they participated in the relay.
I have the rope come up to about waist height for kindergarten so that they can comfortably hold the rope and carefully sanded and sealed off all of the holes.
They were originally designed to use in the winter on snow for a relay, but it turns out they are just as much fun on grass in the spring! So easy to make and hours of fun.
If you create a relay race, you can use a bunch of different equipment that you have on hand. Walk across a skipping rope, jump through a hula hoop, throw a ball into a basket and race back so the next player can have their turn.
Animal Stretches – Gym Activity
When teaching gym and encouraging children to be active, starting activities with stretches is important. Regardless of the activity, it is always a good idea to spend even a minute or two warming up.
Taking this minute teaches children that they need to get their body ready to move and stretched.
Stretches don’t need to be boring! Make stretching fun and engaging with this collection of animal stretches. Kids will love moving and acting like different animals and at the same time they are warming their bodies up for a gym game.
For ideas on how to lead these stretches click here: Animal Exercises for Kids.
Art + Gym Games for Kindergarten – Scooter Boards
This is a really simple gym activity that also integrates art. I have great memories using scooter boards at school as a child. This activity uses them in a whole new way.
For this activity, take the scooter boards outside to try out this gym game. All you need is a scooter board and some chalk.
First, discuss the rules when using the boards (no standing on them, stay sitting and avoid putting fingers on the ground). Then give each child a board and a piece of chalk.
I encouraged everyone to first try turning in a circle and checking the mark they made with the chalk.
It works well to have everyone lined up and then call out what kind of line they need to make as they move (squiggly, zigzag).
It is fun to then see all of the marks created by everyone and it makes a beautiful, huge piece of art! This activity also gives you something unique to do with the scooter boards.
All of these gym games for kindergarten work well for young children, but can be adapted for older children as well. Regardless of the activity, children get a chance to be active and try something new.
Mum Ball Active Gym Game
I can’t wait to try this out at school! Bring out a big, bouncy ball for this active game. This game is a great chance for children to practice mindfulness because there is no yelling or unfair play, in fact there is no talking.
This is a great activity to try as a cool down at the end of a gym period. Give children a chance to keep moving, catching and throwing, while they are cooling, and calming down with this quiet game.
Physical Activities and Exercises
Get your heart pumping with these stretches, physical activities and challenges. Keep track on a Free Printable. There are different challenges and ideas included to keep children engaged and moving!
Obstacle Course Gym Game
This spider web activity will have kids moving, bending and laughing all the way. This activity could easily be worked into various themes and special days in the classroom.
If you try this at home, you can even create the web under a kitchen table. Encourage children to move and bend to make their way through the spider web.
Get Kids Moving Activities with Free Printable
Sometimes having a printable of activities to get kids moving is perfect to have on hand. If you have a few minutes of your gym period to fill, a back pocket list is ideal.
Gym Games for Kindergarten and Primary
Add a theme to your gym activities to keep children engaged. This Dinosaur activity will get children moving like different dinosaurs with different movements. Roll the dice for some hands-on fun.
When trying to get children engaged and moving, using something as simple as dice and dinosaurs will keep things fun and creative. Free printable included.
Gym Games for Kindergarten – Color Game
This is a really simple idea, but a great active game for little ones. Grab some cones, or any other solid colored objects. Call a specific color for children to run to. The idea is easy, but kids will love searching and finding your called color.
this is also a fun active way to have children practice the colors.
Kindergarten Gym Games – Jumping
Getting kids moving and their heart pumping is a goal of every gym period. Keep it simple with this assortment of jumping games for kindergarten and primary.
Jumping is also a great activity for gym class because most children are able to jump. This makes the activity inclusive and generally doesn’t require special material.
Gym Games for Kindergarten – Balloon Tennis
Quickly and easily create tennis rackets using simple materials. Kids will love creating their own racket to use. Then try out all ten of the fun games to play!
Balloons are a great, and inexpensive, piece of equipment in gym for young children. Since a balloon falls slowly it gives children time to get under the balloon to hit it and move it how they want.
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
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