PLAYGROUND GAMES WORKSHOP
INTRODUCTION
This workshop was created from the comments of last year’s conference for coaches to
go away with as many ideas for games as possible.
All the games presented will be focused around a “multiskills “approach, improving
children’s agility, balance, co-ordination and speed (ABC’S).
Each game will have the ability to be:
ADAPTED
to suit specific sports
DEVELOPED
to suit specific skills
PROGRESSED to increase the skill level
The scenario for these playground games are.
The children are aged between 5-11 y/o in a primary school setting.
Numbers of children range between 20-30
Limited equipment is available
There is limited space in order to take the session.
Hoops Game – Can be used as an Icebreaker
Equipment required – Hoops of different and same size
This game is great fun for all age groups and can be used to build on coordination and
team communication skills.
Split group up into equal reasonable sized groups (eight is a good number), each group
forms a circle with hands linked, spread the circle keeping hands linked, at no time
during the activity should they release hands. Release one pair of hands and place a
medium hoop over the arm of one participant and rejoin hands. Suggest they have to
move the hoop around the circle (clockwise or anticlockwise) and get it back to the start,
remember they are not allowed to release hands, let them work it out.
Add another hoop and play catch-up, use smaller hoops, add another hoop so they go in
opposite directions- what happens when the hoops meet?
Warm up Line Game
Using the standard lines in a sports hall or playground each line is numbered.
Children stand on line one and when a number is called they run to that line as quickly as
possible. After a few of these the game can be progressed by using colours of lines where
the children have to get that coloured line or even shapes i.e goal mouth semi circles,
centre circles or even just boxes drawn on the ground of different shapes.
CONE RELATED GAMES
1. COLOURED CONES
Layout in area random coloured cones.
Instruct children to spread out between the cones and wait for instruction. Upon
instruction the group dodge around the cones in any direction avoiding each other. Upon
the shout of a coloured cone the children must move to this cone and be perfectly still
within ?secs. Begin with walking pace only and progress as children learn to keep their
heads up. Introduce different movement patterns such as side steps, backwards etc or fun
movements such as a favourite animal or dance style etc.
Introduce sequenced movements upon instruction such as RED, YELLOW, GREEN,
BLUE and then they must strike a balance.
2. RIVAL ARRIVALS.
Divide class into groups of 4
Each group collects 4 cones and lays them out in a square approx 2 meters apart.
Each child within group stands next to a cone and on the shout of GO they move in a
clockwise direction towards the next cone attempting to arrive at that cone at exactly the
same time as the others.
Begin to introduce specific agility movements such as fast side steps or jumping etc.
Let one member of the group dictate the pace of movements which the others must
follow.
Change the shape of the area to different lengths and the group must still arrive at the
same time.
Images by Vertigo Creatives
3. MIRROR IMAGES.
Divide the group into pairs. Each pair need 2 cones which are laid down on the floor to
create a goal approx 2 meters wide.
One person stands on the goal line and the other faces them approx half meter apart.
Game begins by player not in goal moving sideways within area and person on goal line
must try to copy their movements.
Game then progresses to attack, defence. Person not on goal line must attempt to cross
the line before the person on the line can tap them on the shoulder. Swap over.
BALL RELATED GAMES
1. SUMO BALL.
Divide the group into pairs and 1 ball approx football size between them.
The pair face each other and hold on to the ball on either side with both hands.
The pair then must stand on one leg only and by pushing or pulling the ball they must
attempt to make partner lose balance and put foot down.
This game can be adapted in many ways such as one hand on ball, two feet on floor for
less able with an area to stand in or one eye closed etc.
2. BALL CHALLENGES
How many claps can you make without dropping it?
How many bounce catches can you make in 30 secs
How many catches can you make with a partner in 1 minute?
3. BALL OBSTACLE COURSE
Obstacle courses can take many shapes but at this level it is important to challenge the
childrens ABC’S. A typical course could be:
Run to first cone and complete three catches with two claps within each catch.
Run to next cone and complete five bounce catches under each leg.
Touch the zig zag layout of cones with the ball
Roll ball through a coned gate and then retrieve
Run round final cone and run back to team and hand over ball to next person
All Equipment Game
Mark out a circle using cones and using coloured hoops place four positions equally
around the circle.
Divide the group into four and number each child i.e 1 to 7 if you have 28 in the class.
Place a cardboard tube or old shuttle cock tube into the centre of the circle and give each
team three to five bean bags (depending on age) placing them on the edge of the circle.
Each time a number is called the child from each team with that number runs around the
circle until returning to their teams bean bags. They then slide the bean bags one at a time
to try and knock over the cone in the centre. The first person doing so gets one point for
their team.
This can be varied by using a football or basketball which is dribbled around the circle
and this can be progressed by having to dribble in and out of the cones.
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Spokes
Using the same format as before, four numbered teams and a circle of cones the tube is
now removed and a cone put in its place.
Each team is now positioned into a spokes like formation with the highest numbered
child from each team on the outside of the circle and the rest in numerical order in a
straight line in front of them heading towards the centre cone.
Each child then stands with their legs apart and awaits a number to be called.
On calling a number the child runs up the left hand side of their team around the circle as
in the all equipment game but this time on returning to their team they have to climb
through the teams legs, pick up the cone and place it on their head thus getting a point for
the team.
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