Atom
Works with any size group, easier with music, elimination game. While music is playing, get the kids to wander around an open space. You can get them to do other movements besides walking such as skipping, hopping, ect. At random times turn off the music and call out atom and a number (ex: atom 2, atom 4). The kids must then link arms in a group of the size you have given. Anyone not in a group is out for the round. This game is high energy and since rounds are short it can be played numerous times. Count kids and plan out what numbers will work best for making groups, avoid numbers that only produce one student with no group. High energy music helps.
Fruit Bowl
Works with any size group, no one is eliminated. Have kids stand in a large circle side by side with one in the center. This student starts, and starts a statement with “anybody who...” (Ex: anyone who ate cereal for breakfast). If the statement applies to anyone, those students have to cross the circle and find a new spot, including the student in the middle. Whoever cannot find a spot is the next one in the middle to say a statement. Students can also call “Fruit Bowl” and everyone must find a new spot. Students have to go at least 2 or 3 positions past where they are if they move.
Splat
Works with any size group, elimination game. As the instructor, have the students form a circle and you take the center. Take your time to select a student, and call their name while looking at them. This student must then duck, and the ones of either side must turn to each other and “splat” the other (Splat can be any action you want). Whoever is the slower of the 2 is then out and must sit down. If the one who you call doesn’t duck, they are out. Continue this until there are only 2 students left. This game takes a little longer, so once or twice is usually enough.
Tennis Toss
A concentration exercise, used to help kids focus. Low energy, helps with name memorization. Have students stand randomly around a room. Take a tennis ball and toss it underhand to a student while calling their name. This student then passes it to another and so on. You must remember who you throw it to and who threw it to you. Once everyone has had the ball, it returns to the starter and the circle continues. Add in extra balls to increase the difficulty. Warm them dropped balls can slow down the circle. This is a group activity, so get students to work together to get through a complete round as fast as possible.
The Hand Game
A focus exercise that works on teamwork and speed. Low energy, non-elimination. Students stand side by side as close together as the can with both hands in front of them. The goal is to in order close all your hands as quickly as possible to make it look like one smooth motion of ‘energy’. If anyone is not paying attention the hands stop. Try to get the kids to break speed records. This is a good way to end a class. Another variation is to all lie down on stomachs and intertwine arms, with palms on the floor. The premise is the same, but kids must slap their hands down to advance the energy. This variation is harder as with interlocked arms, students must pay closer attention and have faster reflexes. Again, try to push speed goals to build teamwork.
Don't Smile
A focus game that promotes fun and laughter. It is competitive but not an elimination game. Students are to spread out in a room and lie on their backs. Choose a few to start the game. The goal of these students is to get the ones lying down to smile without touching them. If a student smiles, they are out and must try and get others to smile. The winner is the last student who is able to resist smiling.
Wax Museum
An elimination game that is low energy, good for promoting movement and risk taking. Works best when lights are dimmed. Pick a student to be a museum curator. Everyone else must stand staggered around the room and pose in any fashion they wish, and cannot move if the curator is watching them. The curator must move slowly around the ‘wax’ museum, and the other students must try and change positions while the curator’s back is to them. A student is out if the curator sees them move and calls them out on it. The last sculpture remaining is the winner. The curator must not move too quickly. Low beat, trance like music helps this game’s atmosphere substantially.
Wedding Jump
A very high energy warm-up. It requires music, and works best with even numbers. Put students into pairs. If one is left out, give someone the option to either work the music or call what positions have to be formed. Once groups are made one student will become part of the inner circle, one part of the outer circle. The two circles must move in opposite directions while the music is playing. When the music is stopped, a position is called and the students must make them as quick as possible. The last pair to do it is out. The game is over when only one pair remains. Like atom, students can skip, jump, ect, while music is playing to add intensity. Some positions include:
Wedding jump: One student catches the other in their arms like a wedding pose
Piggy back
Sitting down back to back
Kangaroo: one student stands as the other crouches down in front of their legs like a baby kangaroo
Toilet: One student takes a knee, the other sits on it like a toilet
Bridge: Student lie on their back and put the souls of their feet together to make a bridge
Wedding jump: One student catches the other in their arms like a wedding pose
Piggy back
Sitting down back to back
Kangaroo: one student stands as the other crouches down in front of their legs like a baby kangaroo
Toilet: One student takes a knee, the other sits on it like a toilet
Bridge: Student lie on their back and put the souls of their feet together to make a bridge
Simon Says
Elimination or not, this a good high energy focus warm-up. Practice to make sure you can do it quickly. Easiest if you have a few ideas already pre-planned. Do your best to be sneaky and get children thinking. Don’t let students lead this game.
Shape Shifters
Put students in equal groups, or as close to as possible. Have them move throughout the space while music plays, and like atom, have them try different movements to keep up the energy. When the movement stops, call out an object or thing that they must use their bodies to create. This game is used to help creative thinking and quick reflexes. Students should act quickly without planning. This game can be done in many small groups with small object (2 students that must make an animal or letter) or a few large groups (split the class in half and have them each make a pirate ship). This game can go on as long as you want.