Kan Jam
(added 8/20/17)
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I love frisbee. Always have. I love frisbee golf. I love ultimate frisbee. Safe to say, I love all things frisbee. So when I saw Kan Jam a few years ago, I knew I'd love it. Now I know there are many variations and companies that make Kan Jam style games but let's be honest. Nothing is like the original. Super fun and challenging and can be played virtually anywhere. Click on the link below to go to the official Kan Jam website and to watch a video on how to play.
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Indoor Boomerang
(8/3/17)
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In the endless quest for new and unique learning opportunities for my students I found these. Certainly not a "new" piece of equipment by any means. In order for them to pass my "I have a tiny gym" qualifications, I had to test them out. They passed with flying colors...
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Ramp Shot
(added 5/20/17)
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Ramp Shot takes the best of what I like about these types of games (Easy to set up, simple to play, and wicked fun) and puts them all together in a unique indoor/outdoor game. Take a look at the following video on how to play...
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So there you have it. I like to think of it as a cross between horseshoes and corn hole (Games I Love). Not only is it a cooperative game, but it also works on throwing & catching (SHAPE Grade Level Outcomes: S1:E14, S1:E16, S1:M2, S1:M3, S1:H1). Click on the link to go to their website. After that, purchase a set, then get out there and play!!! Make sure you play the "Slapback" version too!
Paddle Zlam
(added 4/30/17)
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I first heard of Paddle Zlam after a few Phys. Ed. teachers (Justin Schleider & Nick Endlick) began talking about it on Voxer during the SHAPE Boston convention. Always up for looking at new products, I began watching the game. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the game, watch this video...
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So its basically it's a combination of volleyball & pickleball. Not only is it super fun to play, but it can be used in a relatively small space and is super portable. Very affordable at $40 for the set of 4 paddles, 1 ball, and 2 Paddle Slam cones. It can also be used to cover SHAPE America's Grade Level Outcomes for short handled striking (S1.E24, S1.M12, S1.M13, S1.M14, S1.M15, S1.M16, S1.H1). Go to the following website to find out more and to order your own set...
Oh yeah, don't forget the "Paddle Pass"!!!
And if you need a "Lead Up" game to get started, try this game I created. Keep in mind, you can have two games going on at the same time! Enjoy!
Or you can use a record player (yes, I said record player) to play the above game like this...
Flow Wand
(added 12/26/16)
I first found out about this from Catherine Patch from a session she presented at the NHAHPERD convention a couple of years ago. I purchased 4 from Amazon and held onto them not knowing if my students could master them. After using them in one 5th grade class as a station, I quickly realized that they could. Here is a video of me using them...
Gopher Smart Holder Cones
(added 12/26/16)
I first saw these cones at the Eastern District Conference in Springfield Massachusetts being used by Doug Hallberg at one of his awesome sessions. I love the way that students can read the station sign even while in a standing position. There are sold in a set of 6 rainbow colors. You can purchased Gopher's signs to go along with them but I decided to create my own reusable sign using laminated posterboard with floor tape around the endges to give it a more polished look...
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I then added a dry erase pocket on one side to slide a letter size station sign. The other side (because it is laminated) will work with either wet erase or dry erase markers. The best of both worlds!!!
tchoukball net alternative
(added 8/14/15)
Have you ever played Tchoukball? If you have, you know it's a great game. For those of you who haven't, you should seriously consider playing it with your students. There's only one catch: The nets can be very expensive. The average price for 2 nets is $500-$600!!! Before you say "My budget would be all gone!" I have an alternative. Toledo Sports (See Link Below) sells what are called "Toss Back Nets" for a fraction of the price. I have used these nets and I have to say I like them better than the original Tchoukball nets. Why? Price AND there is larger surface area for the students to throw at, thus making them more successful. Ready to play?
laundry baskets
(added 5/9/15)
I never thought I would use these as much as I do. Cheap with a million uses in Physical Education. From carrying equipment to using them as targets, to having students catch with them, I use them all the time.
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spikeball
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Do you like playing 4 Square? How about Volleyball? If so, then the game of "Spikeball" is for you. Take the side-to-side action of 4 Square and add it to the cooperation and skill of spiking in Volleyball and you have Spikeball. A great game to develop eye-hand coordination, strategy, teamwork, and agility. Spikeball comes in a bag (See mine below) which includes the Spikeball Frame, Ball(s), and all the instructions you need to get it assembled and ready to play in minutes. Only have one Spikeball set? Use it as a station. Click on the link below to go to their website and to see video of Spikeball in action. Great fun in the gym, on the playground, or virtually anywhere!!!
the robo-tagger
(added 11/28/13)
First, get a remote controlled car. Next, take two noodles and notch them so that they fit together in the shape of an "X". Next, use small bungee cords to attach the "X" to the top of the remote controlled car. To begin the game, all students are sitting on a scooter board. The object: Try not to let the "Robo-Tagger" tag you! I control the Robo-Tagger off on one side of the gym. If a student gets tagged, they have to stop, leave their scooter board, and run two laps around the gym. My kids absolutely LOVE this game!
Variation: Have all students get a partner and have them attach their scooter boards together. Object: Have the students try to tag the Robo-Tagger. This is much more difficult when the students have to work together!
Variation: Have all students get a partner and have them attach their scooter boards together. Object: Have the students try to tag the Robo-Tagger. This is much more difficult when the students have to work together!
pinwheels
(Added 9/20/13)
I got the idea to use pinwheels in class when I was flipping through an Oriental Trading Company catalog. Here are some ideas on how to use them in Physical Education class:
-Face the pinwheel away from you and walk to make the pinwheel spin
-Repeat while hopping, skipping, galloping, jumping, side sliding
-How slowly can you move while still making the pinwheel turn?
-With the pinwheel in one hand, do arms circles trying to make it spin
-Repeat using the other arm
-Turn around in a circle making the pinwheel spin. Don't get dizzy!!!
-Use your imagination!!!
-Face the pinwheel away from you and walk to make the pinwheel spin
-Repeat while hopping, skipping, galloping, jumping, side sliding
-How slowly can you move while still making the pinwheel turn?
-With the pinwheel in one hand, do arms circles trying to make it spin
-Repeat using the other arm
-Turn around in a circle making the pinwheel spin. Don't get dizzy!!!
-Use your imagination!!!
Bendable skeletons
(Added 9/4/13)
Here's a great movement awareness activity that uses rubber bendy skeletons. First, have students get a partner. Second, give each group of two a rubber skeleton. Third, ask one partner to have the skeleton, then turn around with their back to their partner. The person with the skeleton will bend it into any shape they want. When they are finished, the partner with the skeleton tuns around and shows their partner what the skeleton looks like. The partner without the skeleton must then duplicate what the skeleton is doing. After 30 seconds, switch places. I tell my students they can make it difficult, but not impossible! I bought my skeletons at Oriental Trading Company. Click on the button below to go to their website.
toss & float parachute set
(added 7/18/13)
I love these. The paratrooper attached to the parachute is a weighted beanbag. Throw the paratrooper in the air and he floats down gently to be caught by a partner. I purchased these at Lakeshore Learning. Click the button below to go to their website.
Soft White Cartoon Hands
(added 4/25/13)
I picked these up at the party store. $10 for 2. I use these for tag type games. Super soft and safe. I used to use noodles, but kids would wack each other with those. One side has padding and the other side is just fabric. I put a small "X" on the padded side so kids would know which side to tag with.
Colored Bird Feathers
(added 2/20/13)
That's right, bird feathers!!! I picked up some at Walmart and had students practice skills like:
1. Blow the feather in the air and catch it
2. Try to keep the feather in the air by continually blowing it
3. Throw the feather in the air and catch it on various body parts
4. Keep the feather up by continually striking it from hand to hand
5. Put the feather on the floor and try to blow it from one side of the gym to the other
1. Blow the feather in the air and catch it
2. Try to keep the feather in the air by continually blowing it
3. Throw the feather in the air and catch it on various body parts
4. Keep the feather up by continually striking it from hand to hand
5. Put the feather on the floor and try to blow it from one side of the gym to the other
UNO Cards
(added 11/8/12)
I know what you're thinking. How can "UNO cards" be a piece of PE equipment? Here's how. Use these to separate into 4 teams (For example - Have 22 students in your class? - Take 5 red, 5 green, 6 yellow, 6 blue). Distribute the cards to the students face down, 4 teams created in no time. You can even use the "Wild" cards for classes with odd numbers or, for example, in a class of 22 count out 5 red, 5 green, 5 yellow, 5 blue, and 2 Wild cards. See who the 2 "Wild" students are and put them on the two teams with less skilled students.
20 Sided Foam Dice
(added 8/31/12)
Great item to have in your Phys. Ed. closet. Here is an activity that you can do with 20 sided dice:
Dribbling Counting Style (Grades K-2)
-6 relay lines behind cones
-Each line has a basketball and a 20 sided die
-Place poly spots or hula hoops on the floor in a scattered formation
-On the start signal, the first student in line rolls the die and goes out to a spot/hoop and dribbles that number of times on the spot/in the hoop
-When the student finishes, they pick up the spot/hoop and they bring it back to their team
-When the first student is done, the next in line goes
-Continue until all the spots/hoops are gone
Dribbling Counting Style (Grades K-2)
-6 relay lines behind cones
-Each line has a basketball and a 20 sided die
-Place poly spots or hula hoops on the floor in a scattered formation
-On the start signal, the first student in line rolls the die and goes out to a spot/hoop and dribbles that number of times on the spot/in the hoop
-When the student finishes, they pick up the spot/hoop and they bring it back to their team
-When the first student is done, the next in line goes
-Continue until all the spots/hoops are gone
