PE games for elementary students promote and enhance physical activity while helping students develop important motor skills, teamwork, physical literacy, and more. Whether you’re introducing classic games or trying something new with elementary students, incorporating a variety of activities keeps them excited and active.
In this article, we’ll explore various types of PE games for elementary, from tag games to team sports. Next, we’ll discuss flexible setup options that make it easy to adapt to different class sizes, grade levels, and student needs. Additionally, we’ll dive into equipment best practices and highlight key items that can support a wide range of games.
Throughout the article, we’ll showcase some of the PE games for elementary from PLT4M’s library of over 150 lesson plans, offering teachers a valuable resource for planning and delivering engaging physical education lessons.
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A Full Library Of PE Games For Elementary
Elementary PE teachers need a diverse set of games and activities for PE class to keep students engaged while building fundamental movement skills. PLT4M offers a comprehensive collection of over 150 PE games for elementary teachers, covering many of the most popular units and activities used in schools today.
From high-energy tag games to skill-building activities in sports like soccer, basketball, and floor hockey, PLT4M’s physical education resources are designed to make PE fun, dynamic, and educational.
Tag Games – Classic and creative variations that get students running, dodging, and reacting.
Invasion Games – Various invasion games that promote strategy, teamwork, and movement.
Movement and Fitness – Activities focused on fundamental motor skills, strength, agility, and endurance.
Cooperative Activities – Games that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
Instant Activities – Quick, engaging warm-up games to start class with movement.
Jump Rope Activities – Fun routines and challenges to improve jump roping skills.
Throwing & Catching – Everything from individual, partner, and large group and games that develop hand-eye coordination and teamwork.
Batting – Activities that teach striking and hand-eye coordination for baseball and softball.
Soccer – Drills and games that build footwork, dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.
Bowling – Games that introduce underhand rolling techniques with an added boost of cross-curricular math skills for scoring variations.
Basketball – Skill-building activities for dribbling and shooting.
Floor Hockey – Games that teach stick handling, passing, and shooting in a fun setting.
Scooter Activities – Engaging games and challenges using scooters to develop coordination, balance, and upper- and lower-body strength.
Want to learn more about PLT4M’s elementary physical education curriculum and partnership with elementary PE teacher Mike Graham?
Bonus: Check out a fully loaded pe game for elementary students – Jump To 100
Flexible Setups for Engaging PE Games For Elementary
One of the best aspects of elementary PE games is their adaptability to different class sizes and learning goals. Whether students are working individually or as part of a larger group, each setup offers unique benefits that contribute to skill development, teamwork, and overall engagement. Here are the different ways PE games can be structured:
Individual – Students practice skills on their own, allowing them to build confidence and develop fundamental movements at their own pace. This setup is great for skill stations, self-paced challenges, and personal goal setting.
Partner – Working in pairs encourages collaboration, communication, and teamwork. Partner-based games help students develop social connections while refining skills such as passing, catching, or mirroring movements.
Small Groups – Smaller groups provide more opportunities for active participation and repetitions, keeping students engaged and maximizing movement. Many invasion games, relay races, and cooperative challenges thrive in a small-group format.
Large Groups – Large-group activities create a dynamic and high-energy class environment. These games often involve teamwork on a larger scale, promoting inclusivity and whole-class cooperation.
By utilizing a variety of setups, PE teachers can create a well-rounded experience that keeps students moving, engaged, and learning in different ways. Mixing and matching these formats throughout a unit ensures that all students get the chance to develop skills, build relationships, and enjoy physical activity.
Bonus: Check out a partner activity from PLT4M’s library of PE games for elementary students – Catch It, Keep It.
Essential Equipment for Successful PE Games For Elementary
Elementary PE games can be as simple or as creative as a teacher makes them, but having the right equipment can make organizing and running activities smoother and more engaging.
While some games require specific items—like basketballs and hoops for basketball—teachers can always modify based on what’s available. For example, a playground ball can substitute for a basketball, ensuring students still get the experience of dribbling and shooting.
To create a well-equipped and flexible PE environment, here are some essential items that allow for a wide variety of games and activities. (Note: These are simply suggestions and PE teachers can modify and adjust the pe games for elementary based on the PE equipment they have!)
Equipment to Set Up Playing Areas
Defining boundaries and creating activity zones helps structure games and ensures smooth transitions between activities. Some great game setup equipment to have include:
Poly spots – Mark designated areas for students or stations, movement cues, or boundaries.
Cones – Essential for setting up obstacle courses, goal areas, or dividing playing spaces.
Hula hoops – Versatile for relay games, targets, and station markers.
Gymnastic mats – Provide safe landing zones for tumbling, rolling, or modified activities.
Equipment for Game Play
The equipment used in PE games varies depending on the activity, but having a variety of versatile items allows for maximum flexibility. Some key pieces include:
Balls of all kinds – Soft Gatorskin-style balls, basketballs, soccer balls, playground balls, foam balls, etc.
Bean bags – Great for tossing, balance challenges, and target games.
Koosh balls – Soft and easy to catch, making them excellent for younger students.
Jump ropes – Perfect for individual and group jump rope activities to build coordination and endurance.
Creative Ways to Keep Score
Instead of relying solely on traditional scoreboards, using creative scoring tools can add excitement and engagement to PE games for elementary. Some fun options include:
Critters (stuffed animals) – Players collect a critter for each point scored.
Popsicle sticks – Easy to distribute and track points for individuals or teams.
Rubber wristbands – A visual way to mark achievements or progress during a game.
Laminated play money – Adds a fun and interactive way to “earn” points.
Math manipulative cubes – Students stack cubes to track scores visually.
By having a combination of game setup tools, game play equipment, and creative scoring methods, PE teachers can create an engaging and inclusive environment where students can thrive. With a little creativity and adaptability, even the simplest equipment can transform into endless opportunities for movement and fun!
Bonus: All PLT4M PE games for elementary students come fully-loaded with detailed equipment checklists and game set up instructions.
Key Takeaways on PE Games For Elementary Students
Finding the right PE games for elementary students doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right resources and approach, PE teachers can create engaging, effective, and standards-aligned lessons. Here are the key takeaways:
- A One-Stop Resource for PE Games – Instead of searching across the internet, PE teachers can rely on platforms like PLT4M, where a wide variety of games and lesson plans are conveniently available in one place.
- Creativity Over Complexity – Great PE games don’t require excessive equipment or resources. With thoughtful planning and creativity, teachers can design engaging activities that align with educational standards.
- Games for Every Grade & Goal – Whether teaching younger students foundational movement skills or older students cooperative games, there are options to fit every grade level and learning objective.
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