Active Recess Indoor Games

Active Recess Indoor Games
PLAYWORKS
PLAYWORKS is a nonprofit organization the provides many resources to schools for a successful and productive recess. On the PLAYWORKS website you can find various games in their Game Library. The Game Library
can be used to find different games for indoor and outdoor recess. Sort games by age, equipment, group size,
and length to find appropriate games for students. PLAYWORKS also provides free email updates regarding
safe and healthy play. The following games were found in the Game Library provided by PLAYWORKS. If you
would like more safe and healthy games please visit, www.playworks.org/playbook/games .
Bridge Ball
Before You Start
-Have everyone stand in a circle, foot to foot. Their legs should be slightly more than shoulder width
apart, forming a “bridge.” Have everyone get into ready position with their hands on their knees.
-Make sure all players know not to reach in front of other in order to get the ball.
How to Play
-The object of the game is for players to try to hit the ball between other players’ bridges (formed by
their legs) and block balls from coming through their own bridges. Players get a letter in the word
“bridge” each time the ball goes through their legs. Once a player has spelled bridge, the game restarts.
-Players may only hit the ball with an open palm. No throwing.
-They may catch the ball if it is head height. Then they must place the ball on the ground and hit it back
into play.
-If a ball goes outside the circle, the player closest to it when it went out may go and get it.
-If the ball goes between a player’s legs, they get a letter toward the word bridge. That player may go get
the ball and hit it back in play.
Variations
-Instead of spelling bridge, players can turn around
and play backwards once the ball has gone through
their legs.
Concentration Ball
Before You Start:
-Explain how to make a good, underhand toss with eye contact.
-Explain that everyone has to say the person’s name (recipient) before throwing.
How to Play:
-You pick a theme, such as animals.
-Then one person starts with the ball and says an animal then says the name of someone in the circle
and tosses them the ball.
-That person must say another animal and toss the ball to another person.
-You may not repeat the answers and you only have three seconds to say yours.
-If a player fails to do so, you may have them do some jumping jacks before rejoining the circle. Once
three people get stuck you switch themes. Some examples of themes include, sports, colors, fruits,
singers, etc.
Variations:
-For younger players you may go in a circle handing off the ball or you may try rolling it instead.
-If you notice this as a problem, you may also add a rule about not throwing it back to the person that
tossed it to you.
All Tangled Up
Before You Start:
-Divide the students into small groups of up to twelve and have them form a tight circle.
How to Play:
-The students take one hand and grab the hand of anyone in the group except the people standing next
to them.
-The students take their other hand and grab the hand of anyone in the group except the people
standing next to them and the person they are already holding hands with.
-The challenge is to get untangled without letting go of each other’s hands.
-Emphasize that getting untangled requires a lot of communication and cooperation.
Variations:
-Make the group larger.
-Add restrictions to their communication methods.
JAM- “Just a Minute” School Program
JAM is a program that brings physical activity and health education into indoor recess. The JAM School Program
consists of weekly JAMmin’ Minute routines, a JAM Blast routine with a professional athlete, a monthly
newsletter with healthy tips for the classroom and access to the JAM Library of resources. A JAMmin’ minute
routine is made up of 5 movements for a 10 count each. In the JAM Library you can access a variety of routines
and videos that have already been created and tested out by school staff.
To receive weekly JAMmin’ Minutes, JAM Blasts, HealthE-Tips Newsletter and have unlimited access to the JAM
Library, sign up at www.jamschoolprogram.com.
For videos that lead the classroom in a JAMmin’ minute,
search YouTube.com for JAMmin’ minute.
Adventure to Fitness
Adventure to Fitness is a collection of videos, games and activities available online. Adventure to Fitness
videos take students through a number of adventurous journeys ranging from an Expedition in Egypt to at
time travel back to the Dinosaur days. These videos can lead students on an exciting adventure while
increasing their physical activity minutes. To sign up for free access to Adventure to Fitness videos, games and
activities, go to http://adventuretofitness.com/. This is a free resource but you must sign up to gain access to
the materials on the website.
YouTube
YouTube.com has many videos that are being used to create an active recess. These videos are an easy and fun
way to get students moving when they are inside for recess. To do the videos you will need enough space for
students to move around and a way to show the videos. The following videos are currently being suggested to
use by other school staff members. Students simply follow along with the leader in the video. Ready, set,
DANCE!
Get the Sillies Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2lJTVGq-kI
The Sid Shuffle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMuJxd2Gpxo
The Gummy Bear Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hn61z3FlMQ
GoNoodle
GoNoodle.com is a collection of short, interactive videos. GoNoodle brain breaks help energize and motivate
students in the classroom but, they can also be used to create an active recess. GoNoodle.com offers interactive
videos for every part of recess. Get the heart rates of the students to climb or calm them down before heading
back to the classroom. Your students earn minutes playing brain breaks and grow their classroom Champ.
Please visit, www.gonoodle.com to start using the video resources. This resource is free but you must sign up
to gain access to the videos.