PE main activities and games for Elementary
Games, circuits and modified sports for the core of the lesson, with clear steps, rules, variations and adaptations. 131 activities for grades K–5, each with duration, equipment and space needed.
Drag these activities into a lesson in PatioLab, run the timer on the field and track the SHAPE America standards you cover with each class.
Accuracy Circuit with Cloth Targets
Accuracy circuit with cloth targets on the floor and wall, scoring points by zone.
Adapted Beach Handball
Adapted beach handball: no dribbling, double points for spectacular goals (spin or jump shot), with a soft ball.
Adapted Volleyball
Volleyball adapted for upper elementary: soft ball, lower net and the option to catch and throw on the first touch so rallies last longer.
Aerobics Stations
Aerobics stations: different aerobic exercises at each station, set to music, to build endurance.
Agility Ladder Circuit
Agility ladder circuit: footwork patterns on an agility ladder.
Animal Kingdom Circuit
Animal kingdom circuit: each station is an animal and students move like it, working the whole body.
Badminton Intro
Introduction to badminton: grip, underhand serve and forehand clear, building up to cooperative rallies and short games.
Balance Artist Challenge
Balance artist challenge: students walk along a bench carrying beanbags and doing balance tricks.
Balloon Racket Relay
Balloon racket relay: students carry a balloon on a racket through a course without letting it fall.
Basic No-Contact Capoeira
Basic capoeira without contact: the Brazilian art combining martial arts and dance — ginga, dodges and slow kicks in a music circle.
Book Balance Relay
Book balance relay: students walk with a book on their head to a line and back, working posture and balance.
Capture the Flag
Capture the flag: two teams try to steal the other team's flag and bring it back to their side without being tagged.
Cardio Kickboxing (No Contact)
Cardio kickboxing with no contact: punches and kicks in the air choreographed to music.
Clue Orienteering
Clue orienteering: teams follow clues hidden around the playground to find a final control point.
Colpbol (Hand Volley Soccer)
Colpbol: a Spanish team game where the ball is struck with the hands (like volleyball) and can't be held. Teams pass by hitting and score in a goal.
Combined Track & Field Circuit
Combined athletics circuit: an introduction to track and field combining sprints, low hurdles, jumps and relays.
Cone Circuit
A station circuit combining locomotion, jumping, and eye-hand coordination, adaptable to any outdoor space.
Cone Slalom Dribbling
Cone slalom dribbling: students dribble a ball (with hands or feet) through a line of cones, keeping control first and then adding speed.
Cooperative Badminton
Cooperative badminton: partners try to keep the birdie in the air as long as possible.
Cooperative Balloon Volleyball
Cooperative balloon volleyball: groups keep balloons in the air and pass them over a low net. Perfect for younger students.
Cooperative Desert Island
Cooperative desert island: the group must stay on "islands" (hoops and mats) that keep disappearing, without anyone touching the sea.
Cooperative Fishing
Cooperative fishing: teams "fish" paper fish from a hoop pond and bring them back to their boat one at a time.
Cooperative Hopscotch
Cooperative hopscotch: groups draw and play hopscotch together, helping each other complete it.
Cooperative Little Houses Game
Cooperative little houses: a game for young children where everyone must get into a "house" (hoop) on the signal, sharing when there aren't enough.
Cooperative Pirate Ship
Cooperative pirate ship: the bench is the ship's deck and the floor is a sea full of sharks.
Cooperative Statues Challenge
Cooperative statues: students dance to music and, when it stops, form together the shape the teacher calls.
Crab Soccer
Crab soccer: a soccer game played in the crab position (belly up), kicking the ball with the feet.
Crab Walk Race
Crab walk race: students race on hands and feet with the belly facing up, building strength and coordination.
Crocodile River
Crocodile river: hoops are stepping stones in a river full of crocodiles; students cross by jumping from hoop to hoop without touching the "water".
Dances of the World
Dances of the world: students learn simple dances from different countries (e.g., a circle dance, a line dance, a partner dance).
Datchball
A main-block dodging activity with foam balls and cones, played in the yard.
Disc Golf
Disc golf: throw a flying disc at targets (hoops or baskets) in as few throws as possible, like golf.
Dodgeball
A cooperative-competitive dodgeball game with rescue rules to avoid long eliminations.
Dribbling & Ball Control
Dribbling skills session: students learn to control the basketball with either hand, keep their eyes up and change pace and direction.
Dry-Land Swimming Skills Circuit
Dry-land swim skills circuit: imitating swimming movements (strokes, kicks, floating) to prepare or reinforce water skills.
Flag American Football
Flag football: a no-contact version of American football — instead of tackling, defenders pull a flag from the ball carrier's belt.
Flag Rugby (No Contact)
Flag rugby: players wear flags on their belts; pulling a flag stops the ball carrier. Passes must go backward.
Floor Curling
Floor curling: slide discs along the gym floor to stop them as close as possible to the center of a target.
Floor Hockey Stations
Floor hockey skill stations: stick handling, passing, shooting and a small-sided game, using light sticks and a plastic ball.
Foam Archery
Foam archery: students learn to shoot foam-tipped arrows at targets with strict safety rules.
Four Corners
Four corners: students run to one of four corners while a counter has their eyes closed; the counter calls a corner and those students do a fun challenge.
Giant Memory Game
Giant memory game: picture cards lie face down at the far end of the gym; team members take turns running to flip two and find matching pairs.
Giant Motor Snakes & Ladders
Giant board game: a life-size board where every square has a physical challenge.
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe Relay
Giant tic-tac-toe relay: teams race to place pinnies in a hoop grid, trying to make three in a row.
Giant Twister
A main-block balance activity using a Twister mat, played in the gym or classroom.
Great Cooperative Survival Game
Great cooperative survival game: teams complete physical and problem-solving challenges to earn resources.
Ground Slackline with Tape
Intro to slacklining on a line set very close to the ground, with help from classmates.
Group Jump Rope
A main-block activity combining fun and jumping practice in the yard using a long rope.
Guided Minefield
Guided minefield: a blindfolded student crosses an area full of cones guided only by a partner's voice.
Hockey with Newspaper Sticks
Hockey with newspaper sticks and a foam ball — safe, cheap and fun.
Hoop Chain Relay
Hoop chain relay: teams holding hands in a line pass a hoop from one end to the other without letting go.
Hoop Skills Circuit
Hoop skills circuit: basic motor skills with hoops — jumping, spinning, throwing, rolling and balancing.
Hoop Spikeball
Hoop spikeball: a simplified roundnet game where teams of two hit a soft ball onto a stretched hoop so the other team can't return it.
Horizontal Climbing Wall
Traverse climbing: students move sideways along a climbing wall or wall bars at low height, never above knee height of a standing adult, with mats underneath.
Hula-Hoop Chain
Hula-hoop chain: holding hands in a circle, the group must pass one or more hoops all the way around without letting go.
Human Knot
Human knot: a group holds hands across the circle and must untangle into a circle without letting go.
Intro Rhythmic Gymnastics
Intro to rhythmic gymnastics with ribbon and hoop: basic movements and a short routine to music.
Intro to Indiaca (Feather Ball)
Intro to indiaca: a feathered shuttle is hit with the palm over a net, similar to volleyball.
Intro to Korfball
Intro to korfball: a coed team game where players score in a high basket without a backboard. No dribbling and each player guards someone of the same gender.
Intro to Tchoukball
Intro to tchoukball: score by bouncing the ball off a rebound frame so it lands on the court without being caught. No contact and no intercepting passes.
Island Rescue
Island rescue: students stranded on hoop "islands" must be rescued by teammates who bring hoops to make a path to the shore.
Juggling Ball Skills Circuit
Juggling ball skills circuit: stations with tossing, catching and juggling challenges using juggling balls.
Kickball
Kickball: like baseball but kicking a big rolled ball. Kickers run the bases while fielders try to get them out.
Kids Functional Fitness Circuit
Kids functional fitness circuit: short stations with body-weight exercises adapted to children.
Kin-Ball
Kin-Ball: three teams play with a giant, light ball. The team in possession calls a color and hits the ball; the team called must catch it before it touches the floor.
Lighthouse & Ships
Lighthouse and ships: blindfolded "ships" cross the gym guided only by the sound made by the lighthouse keeper.
Log Bridge
Log bridge: students cross a "bridge" of benches or mats while balancing, with increasing challenges.
Low Basket Shooting
Shooting at low baskets: introduction to basketball shooting technique.
Low Human Pyramid
Low human pyramids: small groups build simple, low figures (kneeling bases) following strict safety rules.
Medicine Ball Station Circuit
Medicine ball station circuit with a light ball to build upper-body and trunk strength using safe technique.
Mini Soccer 4v4
A small-sided 4v4 soccer game on a small field, prioritizing passing and spacing over score.
Mixed-Team Tug of War
Tug of war with balanced mixed teams, focusing on technique, coordination and safety.
Mole Tunnels
Mole tunnels: students crawl through tunnels made of hoops and mats like moles.
Motor Skills Scavenger Hunt
Motor skills scavenger hunt: teams complete a series of physical challenges at different stations.
Multi-Jump with Short Ropes
Multi-jump session with short ropes, individually and in pairs.
Mummy Wrap Relay
Mummy wrap relay: teams wrap a teammate in toilet paper as fast as possible, then the "mummy" walks a short course without tearing it.
Obstacle Relay
Obstacle relay: teams race through identical courses with cones, hoops and poles, combining several motor skills.
Paddle Baseball
Paddle baseball: a striking and fielding game using a beach paddle and a soft ball instead of a bat.
Parachute Game: The Volcano
Parachute "Volcano": light balls are placed on the parachute and the class shakes it to make them erupt — or tries to keep them on.
Parachute Game: The Wave
Parachute "Wave": the whole class holds a play parachute and makes waves of different sizes together, following signals.
Partner Acrosport
Partner acrosport: pairs build simple balances (counterbalances and low supports) on mats, learning safe technique.
Partner Paddle Ball
Partner paddle ball: pairs rally with beach paddles and a soft ball.
Partner Softball
Partner softball: a simplified softball game in pairs using a soft bat and ball.
Partner Speedminton
Speedminton in pairs: racket game without a net using a heavier shuttle that flies fast; players rally inside two squares.
Pass the Hoop (No Hands)
Pass the hoop: a hoop travels around a hand-holding circle without anyone letting go of hands.
Passing Chain
Passing chain: teams try to complete consecutive passes without the other team intercepting.
Physical Skills Gymkhana
Physical skills gymkhana: teams complete challenge cards — jumping, throwing, balance and cooperation.
Pillow Sumo Wrestling
Pillow sumo: a sumo-style opposition game where students push only with a big pillow to move their partner out of a circle.
Pinnie Bowling
Pinnie bowling: cones topped with pinnies are the pins; students roll a ball to knock down as many as possible.
Plate Spinning
Plate spinning: students learn to spin a circus plate on a stick, then pass it and try tricks.
Precision Throwing Circuit
Precision throwing circuit: target stations with beanbags, targets and hoops at different distances.
Proprioception Circuit
Balance and proprioception circuit using a BOSU, poles and cones to improve stability and prevent ankle and knee injuries.
Recycled Bottle Bowling
Recycled bottle bowling: knock down plastic bottles with a ball. Great for young students and for learning about recycling.
Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light: students move toward the leader when they hear "green light" and freeze on "red light". Anyone caught moving goes back to the start.
Relay Race
A 15-minute relay race working speed, ideal for ages 8-12 in the yard.
Ribbon Gymnastics
Ribbon gymnastics: students make shapes with gymnastic ribbons (circles, spirals, snakes) and create a short routine.
Rope Maze
Rope maze: ropes laid on the floor form a maze that students walk through without stepping on the lines.
Sack Race
Classic sack race: students jump inside a sack in relay teams, developing two-foot jumping, balance and coordination.
Safe Parkour Circuit
Safe parkour circuit: students move over and around low obstacles (benches, mats) focusing on safe landings and flowing movement.
Scarf Juggling
Scarf juggling: light, slow-falling scarves make juggling easy to learn, building coordination step by step.
School Climbing Wall
Intro to climbing on the school wall: low horizontal traverses with strict safety rules.
School Geocaching
School geocaching: teams use a map and compass to find hidden "caches" around the school grounds.
Scooter Board Teams
Scooter board teams: students move on scooter boards sitting or lying down, in relays and games.
Sensory Circuit
Sensory circuit: stations with different textures, sounds and surfaces for young students to explore with their bodies.
Shipwreck Rescue
Shipwreck rescue: castaways must be rescued by lifeguards before the shark catches them.
Sitting Dodgeball
Sitting dodgeball: players sit when hit and can get back in by catching a ball. Use only soft balls and aim below the shoulders.
Spanish Folk Dance
Spanish folk dance: students learn simple steps from a traditional Spanish dance (such as the jota or sevillanas) and perform it in pairs.
Speed Statues
Speed statues: students move to music and freeze like statues as soon as it stops.
Spinning Target Toss
Spinning target toss: students throw beanbags at a spinning target, adjusting aim and timing.
Stacking Cup Relay
Stacking cup relay: teams race to build and take down a cup pyramid.
Stick Floor Hockey
Floor hockey with sticks and a light ball: small-sided games focusing on control and passing.
Suspension Bridge
Suspension bridge: students cross a bench and a line of hoops while balancing, like crossing a wobbly rope bridge.
Table Tennis Station Rotation
Table tennis station rotation: ball control, forehand, backhand and a short game.
Tactile Color Game
Tactile color game: students recognize colors and textures of fabrics, with and without sight, and respond with movements.
Team Cat & Mouse
Team cat and mouse: students hold hands in a circle to protect the "mouse" inside, while the "cat" outside tries to tag it.
Team Human Twister
Team human twister: teams place hands and feet on colored circles as the caller says, cooperating to keep balance.
Team Secret Code
Team secret code: teams run to collect letter cards and decode a secret message.
Ten-Pass Game
Ten-pass game: one team must complete ten passes in a row without the other team intercepting.
Tennis Ball Bocce
Bocce with tennis balls: teams toss balls as close as possible to a target ball.
Themed Obstacle Course
Themed obstacle course set in a story (jungle, space, castle) using mats, benches and hoops.
Throwing Clock
Throwing clock: hoops form a clock around a student who must throw a ball into the hoop for each hour in order.
Tin Can Stilts
Tin can stilts: students walk on stilts made from recycled cans and string.
Tower Ball
Tower ball: each team defends a cone tower while trying to knock down the other team's tower with a ball.
Traffic Light Dribbling
Traffic light dribbling: students dribble a ball and change speed according to the color called.
Treasure Hunt with Clues
Treasure hunt with clues: teams follow a trail of clues around the playground to find a hidden treasure box.
Trio Acrosport
Trio acrosport: groups of three build balance figures with a base, a top and a spotter, then create a short routine.
Ultimate Frisbee
Non-contact team game played with a flying disc: score by catching the disc in the end zone. Players can't run with the disc, so passing and moving into space are key.
Water Sponge Relay
Water sponge relay: teams carry water in sponges to fill a bucket. Best outdoors on hot days.
Wheelbarrow Race
Wheelbarrow race: one partner walks on their hands while the other holds their legs at the thighs or knees.