Check out our Playworks Game Guide to find games and activities for all ages, spaces and energy levels.
The Playworks Game Guide has HUNDREDS of games that will get kids excited to jump off the sidelines and start playing. This guide is for recess staff, educators, out-of-school time providers, parents/guardians, and kids! There are six sections to help you organize an awesome time before, during or after school:
- Ice Breakers – Ice breakers are an effective and fun way to begin building community among your students, from simply learning and practicing names in a fun way to getting to know each other on a deeper level.
- Readiness Games – Before learning to read, kids must be taught the alphabet. Similarly, for sports and games there are building blocks you can use to prepare students to go out and play. Readiness Games help build foundational skills as groups of students learn to play together.
- Tag Games – The tag games included in this section range from simply teaching agility and evasion to more elaborate games that teach cooperation, teamwork and strategic thinking.
- Cooperative Games – Cooperative games combine fun with active learning about problem solving, communication style, decision-making and group dynamics. Cooperative games are excellent for lower elementary students as sports skills building and offer upper elementary students new ways to interact.
- Core Playground Games/Sports – This section highlights 9 classic playground games and sports that are commonly found at recess: 4 Square, Dodgeball, Jump Rope/Double Dutch, Kickball, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Softball/Baseball, and Football. There are also dozens of variations of these popular games and sports that will encourage everyone to participate.
- Minute Movers/Energizers – Minute Moves are useful, short activities that can be scheduled during class time and in between activities. The goal of Minute Movers is to provide students with a quick break to increase blood-flow and focus.