GAMES WITH DODGE BALLS
The Blob with Dodge Balls | Video Example [2:40]
To start, we need someone to be Baby Blob. Allow one of the kids to volunteer or pick one to start the game. Baby Blob is trying to get you and does so by hitting you with a dodgeball. Dodge balls are spread around the playing field and can only be picked up by the blob. If Baby Blob hits you with a dodgeball, then you become a part of the Blob. You must hold onto one of Baby Blob’s arms, and then the two of you continue hunting for others to get. You can use your free hands to pick up dodgeballs and try to hit more people. Before this game begins, offer some guidelines for appropriate touch: tags should be gentle, on the arm, shoulder, or upper back. When someone gets tagged and must join the Blob, they should hold onto someone’s arm, preferably between the elbow and the wrist. As each new person is tagged, they, too, join the Blob by holding onto the arm of someone who is already a part of it. As the Blob grows, it will include more and more kids, but each will only be able to tag with one of her hands because she’ll be using the other to hold onto the Blob.
The Death Star | Video Example [1:55]
The object of the game is to try and throw a gator skin ball, hit the “Death Star”, and move it past the other team’s goal line first. All Students must stay behind their throwing line. The game stops if the Death Star goes past the goal line or touches a player on one team. A point is scored, and the game begins again. More instructions and set up diagram.
Spud | Video Example
Spud is a game where players throw a ball at each other while running away. It's similar to dodgeball, but players can have multiple chances to play. More Instructions.
TEAM BUILDING GAMES
Pipe Line | Video Example
In the "Pipeline" team building game, participants must work together to transport a small object (like a marble or ball) through a series of connected pipes (often made from PVC or cardboard half-pipes) from a starting point to a finish line, without ever directly touching the object, ensuring it keeps moving forward and doesn't stop or fall; the key is to coordinate movements and positions to successfully guide the object through the entire pipeline without dropping it, requiring strong communication and teamwork. More Instructions
Shrinking Vessel
For this activity, you will need a few jump ropes. Divide students into groups of six or eight. Have each group make a circle with their jump rope (their “lifeboat”) on the ground so that the ends are touching. Now have all the members of each group get into their lifeboat. This should be easy the first time. Then have all players get out and reduce the size of their circle by one foot. Again, all players need to get into the boat. Repeat this process, making the lifeboat smaller and smaller while you watch your students come up with creative solutions for making sure that everyone fits safely inside their boat.
GAMES WITH CUPS
Up or Down | Video Example
The upside-down cup game, also known as "Cups and Downs" or "Flip Cup"” is where players race to turn cups right side up or upside down. More Instructions.
Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cups
Everyone finds a partner. Place a plastic or paper cup equal distance between each partner. Your leader stands in the middle and at random shouts out: Head Shoulders Knees or Cup As you name each body part, the participants place both hands on the head etc. When you say cup, they compete to grab it. Winner finds another winner.
GAMES WITH BALLOONS
Sticky Guy Game
First, form two teams. Have each team choose a player to be their sticky guy. Then, teams wrap a roll of duct tape around their sticky guy (sticky-side out). Teams have five minutes to blow up and stick as many balloons as possible to the tape on their sticky guy. After five minutes, the leader pops the balloons one at a time with a pin. Teams count to see which team has the most!
Game: Balloon Chase and Stomp
Each kid is given one balloon, which they tie to their ankle. The kids must run around and try to pop everyone else’s balloon. The last one left with a balloon wins.
GAMES WITH HULA HOOPS
Jump the Puddle | Video Example
Children will practice jumping and leaping skills by jumping from one hula hoop to another without touching the floor outside the hoops. The goal is to collect bean bags and return them to their team's basket. [More Instructions]
Shipwreck | Video Example
In the game Shipwreck, teams of five race from a start line to a finish line, each carrying a "boat" (a hula hoop or cardboard). All players must keep a hand on the boat while moving. When the leader calls "Shipwreck!" teams must drop their boat and quickly jump inside it, with the first team fully inside earning a point. The race resumes, with multiple "Shipwreck!" calls possible. Reaching the finish line earns a team two points, and the team with the most total points wins. Ready for another round? Reset and race again! [More Instructions]
Hula Hoop Pass | Video Example
This activity helps kids work on listening, coordinating, and strategizing skills. It works best with smaller students. Have your students stand in a big circle. Place a Hula-Hoop on one student’s arm and have them join hands with the student next to them. Ask all the other students to join hands to close up the circle. The objective of the game is to pass the Hula-Hoop all the way around the circle without unclasping hands. Students will have to figure out how to maneuver their bodies all the way through the hoop to pass it on.
GAMES WITH TECHNOLOGY
Guess the Sound | Video with sounds
Using the above video, have students or teams guess the sound before the time runs out. The video has 20 sounds to guess with the answers given. Be sure to pause immediately after the sound to give time for guesses before the answer is revealed.
TAG GAMES WITH A LESSON
Kindness Freeze Tag | Video Example
Children will practice cooperation and kindness by balancing a rubber duck (or beanbag) on their heads while helping their friends if their ducks fall off. [More Instructions]
Take My Place Tag
Explain that you’ll choose one person to be the “tagger,” whose job is to freeze others, and three players to be “substitutes.” When someone gets tagged, a substitute will run to them, stand in their place for three seconds, and then be free to help someone else. Select a tagger to stand in the middle of the play area, pick three substitutes, and let the kids begin playing. After a few minutes, switch the tagger and substitute for a new round. Once the game ends, bring the group back together and ask, “If you got tagged and had a substitute take your place, how did that make you feel?” [More Instructions]
SIMPLE NO OR LITTLE PREP GROUP GAMES
Whose in Charge
One “Guesser” leaves the room while the other players form a circle and choose a “Leader”. The Leader will begin repeating an action for the others to imitate, such as patting their head or rubbing their belly. They’ll start before the Guesser returns and steps into the circle. Then, they study the players hoping to catch the Leader as they constantly change actions for the others to copy.
In the Tomb
Transition into a game by explaining that everyone will line up along a piece of tape. When you call out, “in the tomb,” they should jump to the left side of the tape, and when you say, “out of the tomb,” they should jump to the right. Anyone who jumps the wrong way is out, and the last one standing wins! Have the kids line up on the tape and review which side is left and which is right. Do a quick practice round so everyone understands the rules, then start the game and play as many rounds as time allows, changing up the speed at which you give the commands to keep it fun and challenging. [More Instructions]
Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissors
Split the group into two teams. Make sure there is a halfway point that is recognizable. In the back of each team's side, make sure there is another "end zone" area that is recognizable.
Teams will huddle up and decide which of the rock, paper scissors moves they will do. When both teams have decided, they approach the center line and with the help of the facilitator, they all say "Rock... Paper... Scissors... shoot" together and perform their action (it can be fun to have the actions much bigger than normal - such as their whole bodies turning into rocks, or giant scissors, or big pieces of paper).
Whatever team wins can immediately begin chasing the other team, attempting to tag them. The team that lost tries to run back to their "end zone" as quickly as possible. If they make it there without being tagged, they are safe. If they get tagged, they must join the other team.
Sharks and Minnows
Sharks and Minnows" is a fun game where sharks try to tag minnows as they run or swim across a playing area. Tagged minnows join the sharks, and the game continues until all minnows are caught or a set number of rounds are played. Variations include adapting the game to different spaces like pools or fields and adding challenges like dribbling balls or dodging throws. Perfect for creativity and active fun!
GAMES WITH POOL NOODLES
Noodles and Meatballs | Video Example
In this relay game, two players per team hold noodles with a ball placed between the tips. On the signal, they race to the relay point and back to the starting line, ensuring the ball stays between the noodles without using their hands. If the ball falls, they must quickly pick it up and continue. The first team to complete the course wins. [More Instructions]
GAMES WITH CARPET CIRCLES OR CHAIRS
Fastest Lap
Place dots on the floor. Ask kids to each stand on a floor dot arranged in a circle. Explain that the game aims to pass an object around the circle as quickly as possible, making sure every person touches it. For the first round, don’t allow any time for planning—hand the object to one child, signal them to start, and time how long it takes using a stopwatch or timer. Before the second round, give the group a chance to devise a strategy to beat their previous time. Continue playing additional rounds, encouraging the kids to refine their approach, and record each round’s time. [More Instructions]
Extreme Musical Chairs
Start by asking the kids if they’ve ever played Musical Chairs, and explain that today they’ll try a fun twist called Extreme Musical Chairs. Let them know the first round will follow the classic rules they already know. Have the kids take a seat and start the music to begin the game, removing one chair once the round starts. After the first round, direct the kids to stand in the middle of the room while you rearrange the chairs around the edges so they’ll have to run to find a seat. Explain that after each round, the kids will close their eyes while the leaders and those out move the chairs to new spots. Start each new round by playing the music, removing one chair every time a player is eliminated. Keep the game going as long as time allows.