Elementary PE warm ups do more than get bodies moving. They give a teacher a few extra minutes to set up equipment, greet a classroom teacher dropping off a group, or just catch a breath before class begins.
A ready-to-go set of elementary PE warm ups means students walk in and start moving right away. No wasted time, no scrambling — just a class that’s rolling from minute one.
Why Elementary PE Warm Ups Need Variety
Not every day in the gym looks the same. Some days call for a warm up that needs zero equipment and zero setup. Other days, the space is already arranged for a specific activity, and the warm up should match it.
That’s why PLT4M has different types of elementary PE warm ups instead of just one. Each style is designed for a different classroom moment.
Two of the series need no equipment at all, so they work any day, any time. The other two are built around common gym setups. Pick A Poly Spot is ideal when poly spots are already down for a game. Locomotor Laps works great when students have room to travel around cones or the outside of a space.
That flexibility is the whole point. A teacher can grab whichever elementary PE warm up fits the day, without extra prep or guesswork.
Get Free Sample Lessons!
Explore our K-5 Curriculum with these select Lesson Plans from some of our most popular Units. Each lesson includes a one page lesson overview, equipment checklist, game setup, teaching cues, standard alignment and more!
4 Types of Elementary PE Warm Ups
Here’s a closer look at each series. All four blend cardio, flexibility, and strength-based movement into short, follow-along formats.
Every video runs about four to five minutes, and each series includes multiple episodes for built-in variety.
4 Minute Fitness: A No-Equipment Elementary PE Warm Up
This series is one of our simplest elementary PE warm ups to drop into any class. No equipment, no setup — just press play and go.
Each episode moves through six movements mixing cardio, flexibility, and strength. Every movement runs 20 seconds with a 10-second rest between.
This is one of our eight different 4 Minute Fitness episodes, so teachers can rotate through fresh combinations all year. It works equally well as a warm up, a mid-class brain break, or a cool-down to close out the day.
Pick A Side: A Choice-Based Elementary PE Warm Up
Pick A Side hands the decision-making to students. Each round, they choose between two options — like ketchup or mustard — and their pick determines the movement.
Every movement runs 30 seconds, and the next choice becomes the built-in break. There’s no separate rest segment needed.
This is one of eight different Pick A Side episodes, each with its own pairs and movements. Since it needs no equipment either, it’s another elementary PE warm up that works on any day, any time.
Pick A Poly Spot: An Elementary PE Warm Up for Poly Spot Days
When poly spots are already set up for a game, Pick A Poly Spot is the natural fit. Students see three movement options, each tied to its own color and spot, and choose which one to travel to.
Each round runs 20 seconds, with two full sets of three movements per episode. That structure keeps choices fresh across the video.
This is one of five different Pick A Poly Spot episodes built so far. It’s a great example of matching an elementary PE warm up to equipment that’s already out.
Get Free Sample Lessons!
Explore our K-5 Curriculum with these select Lesson Plans from some of our most popular Units. Each lesson includes a one page lesson overview, equipment checklist, game setup, teaching cues, standard alignment and more!
Locomotor Laps: An Elementary PE Warm Up for Travel Days
Locomotor Laps is built for days when students have room to move. Set up cones, or just use open space, and students travel laps while practicing locomotor skills.
Each movement runs 30 seconds, with a “Stop!” cue that previews what’s coming next. That preview keeps transitions smooth and predictable for younger students.
This is one of five different Locomotor Laps episodes, covering all eight fundamental locomotor movements across the series. It’s an ideal elementary PE warm up whenever students need to travel around the outside of a gym or space.
Standards Alignment and Equipment
These elementary PE warm ups align directly to national PE standards. That makes them easy to justify as instructional time, not just filler before class.
- 2.2.6: Identifies physical activities that contribute to fitness.
- 2.5.7: Defines and provides examples of movement activities for developing the health-related fitness components.
Equipment needs stay minimal across the board:
- 4 Minute Fitness: No equipment
- Pick A Side: No equipment
- Pick A Poly Spot: Poly spot gym setup
- Locomotor Laps: Cones, or open space
All four series are built for grades K–5, with individual episodes offering movement-specific modifications as needed.
Key Takeaways
Elementary PE warm ups can get a class moving and grooving on the right foot, without a lot of heavy instruction. A simple “ready, set, go” is often all it takes when the routine is already built into the video.
Having four different types on hand means there’s always a fit for the day. Whether the gym is wide open or a game is already set up, one of these elementary PE warm ups is ready to roll.
That’s the real value here: less setup time, more moving time, and a class that starts strong every single time.
Additional Resources
Warm ups are just one piece of the puzzle. PLT4M offers a full library and curriculum of elementary content, covering everything from instant activities to complete sport units.
Check out more from PLT4M’s elementary PE resources:
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