5 Fun Gym Games to Get Kids Moving

Kids are born to run. Every toddler loves to be chased, and as they get older tag becomes a new favorite game to play. For many kids, this love of play blossoms into involvement in sports, and with each positive experience the joy of moving continues to grow.

This isn’t true of all students, however—for many the enjoyment of running fades the older they get. Many become turned off by the fact that running can be painful, or they don’t like to sweat or are just bored by it. And even kids who will play sports for hours may act like it’s pure torture when you ask them to run around the gym for a couple minutes. And team sports can be great in gym class, but only when skills have been developed and ability levels among the students are even.

Finding activities that get students moving without the worry of these negative consequences is a daily challenge for every physical education teacher, but it’s not necessarily a losing battle.

In order to be convinced that giving their best is worthwhile, students need an answer to the question, “What’s in it for me?” They understand that running in PE results in a better grade, builds strength, and can give an edge in sports. But what if all that isn’t sufficient motivation? How can we motivate students to meet both our goals for them as well as their own needs as kids?

Kids are motivated by fun, which is why they can be seen jumping up to touch the nets or starting impromptu games of tag when they’re bored. Instead of forcing them into activities that only we want, or continuing a struggling unit, why not find activities that fulfill both students’ and teachers’ needs? Here are five games every PE teacher should have in their repertoire that are highly engaging to all students and playable with large groups and varied ability levels. They’re basically just running games that leave students red-faced and huffing and puffing by the end of class.