There’s nothing kids need more to break up a day spent sitting still and listening than a fun PE class to let off some steam. In the old days, going to gym class probably included playing kickball or dodgeball after running a few laps. Since then, there have been countless reinventions of and variations on old classics as well as completely new games. Although there is no shortage of options, we love that the supplies required remain relatively minimal. You can transport to another galaxy using just a pool noodle or two or create a life-size game of Connect 4 using just Hula-Hoops. You’ll want to make sure to have some staples on hand like balls, beanbags, and parachutes. There are even PE games for kindergartners based on beloved children’s TV shows and party games. Regardless of your students’ athletic abilities, there is something for everyone on our list of elementary PE games!
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1. Tic-Tac-Toe Relay
Elementary PE games that not only get students moving but also get them thinking are our favorites. Grab some Hula-Hoops and a few scarves or beanbags, then get ready to watch the fun!
Try it: Tic-Tac-Toe Relay

2. Blob Tag
Pick two students to start as the Blob, then as they tag other kids, they become part of the Blob. Be sure to demonstrate safe tagging, stressing the importance of soft touches.
Try it: Blob Tag

3. Cross the River
This fun game has multiple levels that students have to work through, including “get to the island,” “cross the river,” and “you lost a rock.”
Try it: Cross the River

4. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Cones
Line up cones, then have students pair up and stand on either side of a cone. Finally, call out head, shoulders, knees, or cones. If cones is called, students have to race to be the first to pick up their cone before their opponent.
Try it: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Cones

5. Spider Ball
Elementary PE games are often variations of dodgeball like this one. First, one or two players start with the ball and attempt to hit all of the runners as they run across the gym or field. If a player is hit, they can then join in and become a spider themselves.
Try it: Spider Ball Game

6. Crab Soccer
We love elementary PE games that require students to act like animals—and we think they will too. This is similar to regular soccer, but students will need to play on all fours while maintaining a crab-like position.
Try it: Crab Soccer

7. Halloween Tag
This is the perfect PE game to play in October. It’s similar to tag, but there are witches, wizards, and blobs with no bones!
Try it: Halloween Tag

8. Monster Ball
You’ll need a large exercise ball or something similar to act as the monster ball in the middle. First make a square around the monster ball, then divide the class into teams on either side of the square. Finally, task the teams with throwing small balls at the monster ball to move it into the other team’s area.
Try it: Monster Ball

9. Striker Ball
Striker ball is an enjoyable game that will keep your students entertained while working on reaction time and strategic planning. We love that there is limited setup required before playing.
Try it: Striker Ball

10. Parachute Tug-of-War
What list of elementary PE games would be complete without some parachute fun? So simple yet so fun, all you will need is a large parachute and enough students to create two teams. First, have students stand on opposite sides of the parachute, then let them compete to see which side comes out on top.
Try it: Parachute Tug-of-War

11. Fleas Off the Parachute
Another fun parachute game! This time, one team tries to keep the balls (fleas) on the parachute and the other tries to get them off.
Try it: Fleas Off the Parachute

12. Crazy Ball
The setup for this fun game is similar to kickball, with three bases and a home base. Crazy Ball really is crazy as it combines elements of football, Frisbee, and kickball!
Try it: Crazy Ball

13. Bridge Tag
This game starts as simple tag but evolves into something more fun once the tagging begins. Once tagged, kids must form a bridge with their body and they can’t be freed until someone crawls through.
Try it: Bridge Tag
14. Star Wars Tag
Elementary PE games that allow kids to be their favorite movie characters are just way too much fun! The only equipment you need is two different-colored pool noodles for lightsabers.
Try it: Star Wars Tag
15. Rob the Nest
Create an obstacle course that leads to a nest of eggs (balls). Then divide the students into teams. They will have to race relay-style through the obstacles to retrieve eggs and bring them back to their team.

16. Fitness Bingo
Check out these fun activities your kids will love as warm-ups or standalone activities in any fitness unit.
Try it: Fitness Bingo

17. Four Corners
This classic game engages students physically while also working on color recognition for younger students. Have your students stand on a corner, then close their eyes and call out a color. Students standing on that color earn a point.
Try it: Four Corners

18. Movement Dice
This is a perfect warm-up that requires only a die and a sheet with corresponding exercises.
Try it: Roll the Dice Movement Break

19. Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag
A fun spin on tag, children will tag one another and then play a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who has to sit and who gets to continue playing.
Try it: Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag

20. Cornhole Cardio
This one is so fun but can be a little bit confusing, so be sure to leave plenty of time for instruction. Kids will be divided into teams before proceeding through a funhouse that includes cornhole, running laps, and stacking cups.
Try it: Cardio Cornhole
21. Connect 4 Relay
This relay takes the game Connect 4 to a whole new level. Players must connect four dots either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
22. Zookeeper Tag
A fun tag game that involves your students’ favorite stuffies!

23. Racket Whack-It
To begin, students stand with rackets in hand. The teacher or a group of students launch balls and they must either dodge the balls or swat them away.
Try it: Racket Whack-It

24. Crazy Moves
First, set mats out around the gym, then yell out a number. Students must race to the mat before it is already filled with the correct number of bodies.
Try it: Crazy Moves

25. Wheelbarrow Race
Sometimes the best elementary PE games are the simplest. An oldie but a goodie, wheelbarrow races require no equipment and are guaranteed to be a hit with your students.
Try it: Wheelbarrow Race
26. Pac-Man Hopping and Jumping
Fans of retro video games like Pac-Man will get a kick out of this live-action version where students get to act out the characters.
27. Spaceship Tag
Students in Hula-Hoop spaceships run around trying not to bump into anyone else’s spaceship or get tagged by the teacher (alien).

28. Rock, Paper, Scissors Beanbag Balance
This spin on Rock, Paper, Scissors works on balance and coordination. Students walk around the gym until they find an opponent, then the winner collects a beanbag, which they must balance on their head!
Try it: Rock, Paper, Scissors Beanbag Balance

29. Throwing, Catching, and Rolling
This is a fun activity, but it will require a lot of preparation, including asking the school maintenance staff to collect industrial-sized paper towel rolls. We love this activity because it reminds us of the old-school arcade game Skee-Ball!
Try it: Winter Activity for Throwing, Catching & Rolling

30. Jenga Fitness
Although Jenga is fun enough on its own, combining it with fun physical challenges is sure to be a winner with young students.
Try it: Jenga Fitness

31. Volcanoes and Ice Cream Cones
Divide the class into two teams: Volcanoes and Ice Cream. First, spread cones around the gym, half upside down and half right side up. Then, have teams race to flip as many cones as possible to either volcanoes or ice cream cones.
Try it: Warm-Up Games
32. 3-Ball
This fun variation on dodgeball begins with three balls on a basketball court. If you are hit by a ball or if you take a step while holding a ball, you are out. Check out the video for the rest of the rules.
33. Musical Hula-Hoops
PE games for kindergartners that are similar to party games are some of our favorites. This one’s like musical chairs but with Hula-Hoops!
34. 10-Second Tag
This game is perfect to play at the beginning of the year since it helps with learning names and allows the teacher to get to know the first student in line.
35. The Border
This game is so fun and requires no equipment whatsoever. Divide the gym into two sides, then allow kids to choose which side they want to be on.
36. Freedom Catch
This is a simple throwing, catching, and tag game that will certainly be a hit with your PE class. To begin, captors attempt to tag players so they can send them to jail. But the captured can be freed by catching a ball thrown by a teammate.
37. Oscar’s Trashcan
As far as PE games for kindergartners go, this one is a guaranteed winner because it is based on the show Sesame Street. Two teams will compete to fill their opponent’s trash can while emptying their own. Then, the team with the least amount of trash in their trash can at the end wins!
38. 4-Way Frisbee
Divide your class into four separate teams, who will compete for points by catching a Frisbee inside one of the designated goal areas. Also, there are a number of other rules to modify the game in a way that’s best for your class.
39. Badminton King’s/Queen’s Court
This one is simple but fun since it is played rapid-fire with kids waiting their turn to take on the king or queen of the court. The goal is to be the player that stays on the court the longest, while consistently knocking out new opponents.
40. Jumping and Landing Stations
Kids love stations and they definitely love jumping, so why not combine those things into one super-fun gym class? They’ll have a blast challenging themselves with all the different obstacles presented in this video.
41. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course
Regardless of whether you’ve ever seen an episode of American Ninja Warrior, you’re probably familiar with the concept and so are your students. Plus, you’ll probably have just as much fun as your students setting up the obstacles and testing them out!
42. Balloon Tennis
What a fun way to learn the basics of tennis! Regular rules apply, but instead of a hard ball, students bat a balloon back and forth.
43. Indoor Putting Green
If you’ve got the budget for these unique putting green sets, you can introduce the game of golf to kids as young as kindergarten.
44. Scooter Activities
We all have fond memories of using scooters in gym class, don’t we? Try one (or all) of these five fun scooter games with your students and they will too.
45. Pick It Up
This is the perfect PE game to play if you are stuck in a small space with a large group. Teams win by making all of their beanbag shots and then collecting all of their dots and stacking them into a nice, neat pile.
46. Dodgeball Variations
Check out these three games to play instead of dodgeball. All of the excitement without the risk!
47. Tossin’ Towers
Kids stand in a circle and toss a ball all the way around. If they successfully toss and catch, they add another level to their tower.
48. PE Warm-Up Games
Five awesome games to build teamwork and motor skills. From Zone Tag to Line Elimination to Speed Chasers—your students will love these activities!
49. Bozo Challenge
This is a fun, challenging activity to help students build their underhand throwing skills.
50. Hula Hut Challenge
Build your students’ collaboration and teamwork skills as they progress through seven levels of building a hut out of Hula-Hoops.
51. River Crossing
This game is great for encouraging teamwork. The object of the game is to get across the “river” without getting swept away.
52. Sharks and Minnows
The classic game kids know and love. So much fun, they won’t even realize they’re exercising!

53. Outdoor Games
Some of the most beloved game are the playground games we grew up with. From Capture the Flag and Four Square to hopscotch and more.
Try it: Playground Games

54. Knock the Towers
Teach your young students beginning racquet skills with this fun game. They will work on controlled, accurate hitting over the net as they try to hit various targets.
Try it: Knock the Towers
55. Crab Soccer
Great for building core strength and agility, the object of this game is to work as a team to move the giant ball down the field into your opponent’s goal.

56. Noodle Hockey
This fast-paced game is played just like floor hockey but with pool noodles instead of hockey sticks. Same adrenaline rush, much lower risk of injury (obviously).
Try it: Noodle Hockey

57. Protect the Castle
To begin, five to seven kids stand in the middle protecting a group of objects such as bowling pins. Then, the rest of the kids throw balls at the pins, trying to knock them down.
Try it: Protect the Castle
58. Home Free Bad Guy Blob Tag
This one has a goofy name, but it is so much fun and keeps your students active and engaged.
59. Tit for Tat
First, choose a playing area that can be divided into two clear zones. Then, create safe zones with Hula-Hoops. Finally, divide students into two teams and begin play. The object is to pass safely into your opponent’s territory without being tagged.
60. Steal It Kickball
Have kids play this super-fun variation on the classic game of kickball.
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