Playground Olympics by Country

Five teams each represent a country and rotate through five simple Olympic events, earning medals by reaching group targets. Students practice running, jumping, throwing and balance while building teamwork and sportsmanship.

How to play

1. Make 5 teams of 5 in pinnies; each picks a country, writes it on cardstock and jogs a parade lap (2 min).
2. Set up five events 10 yards apart: a 4x20 m baton relay, beanbag toss into hoops, chained standing broad jumps, a 6-cone slalom and a line walk with a beanbag on the head.
3. Teams spend 4 minutes per event and add up a group score: time, hits or total distance.
4. Each card shows three targets for bronze, silver and gold; teams compete against the target, not each other.
5. On the whistle, rotate clockwise within 1 minute and leave the event set up (25 min).
6. In the closing ceremony (3 min) add medals to the class medal table; 12 golds combined sets the Olympic record.

Rules

• Everyone takes a turn before anyone repeats.
• Throw only when the landing area is clear.
• Hand off the baton, never throw it.
• The event judge has the final say.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throws seated, does the slalom in a wheelchair and their score counts double.
• Autism or shyness: give an event-order card and offer the role of permanent judge.
• Lower fitness: walk the slalom and choose the throwing distance.

Learning goals

• Combine running, jumping, throwing and balancing.
• Cooperate to reach a group target.
• Respect the judges and celebrate everyone's success.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pinnies: 25
• cardstock sheets: 10
• batons: 2
• cones: 12
• beanbags: 10
• hoops: 4

Teacher tip

Prepare the target cards ahead of time and adjust them after round one. A different judge at each event keeps rotations moving.

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