1. Mr. Todd’s K-5 Physical Education
“The Best Ways to Play”
By Todd Sharofsky

2. The Best Games to Play “Play is Kid’s Work”
Funky Freeze Dance
Musical Shares
West African Jumping Game
Frozen Crabs
Sizzle Ball
Psych Out
Rolling Dodge Ball

3. Benefits of Active Play
Helps promote physical health
Helps children learn communication and social skills
Aids in children forming friendships
Teaches patience and perseverance
Teaches about teamwork and offers a sense of belonging
Offers a sense of “give and take” and how to play fair

4. Funky Freeze Dance
Grade Level: K-2 Equipment: Music & Play Area How to Play: You must first decide who is in charge of the music. The rest of the players spread out around the play area. When the music starts, the players start dancing. At random times, the person in charge of the music will stop the music. When the music stops, the person in charge must tell the other players an action they have to perform (ex. Jumping Jacks). The players must perform the action until the music starts again.

5. Musical Shares
Grade Level: K-2 Equipment: Music, Large play area, Hula Hoops How to Play: Spread the hula hoops out across the play area. When the music starts, the players start dancing. When the music stops, each player must stand in a hoop (at least one foot, and more than one player can be in a hoop). Occasionally remove a hoop from the play area, causing players to share hoops more frequently. This continues until there is only one hoop, and all players must share it.

6. West African Jumping Game
Grade Level: K-5 Equipment: None How to Play: Best played with large groups in even numbers. Start by each player partnering up with another player. Both partners face each other. The partners then decide who is going to be “Same” and who is going to be “Different”. Then both partners jump up and down, in place, six (6) times. After the sixth time, each player sticks one foot out in front of them. Both players stick out feet on the same side, the “Same” player gets a point. If they are on different sides, the “Different” player gets a point. Keep playing until someone earns three (3) points for the win. Then both players raise their hand in the air indicating they need a new partner.

7. Frozen Crabs
Grade Level: K-5 Equipment: 30+ beanbags, a large play area. How to Play: Start by picking one player to be “It”. It is that players job to freeze all the other players. When the game starts, the players in the play area will be in the crab walk position. They must crab walk around the play area trying to avoid the “it” person. The “it” person must pick up a beanbag and chase (not in crab position) the other players around the play area. He/she must then place a beanbag on a players belly. If a player has a beanbag placed on his/her belly, they must stay frozen until another player comes over and takes it off for them.

8. Sizzle Ball
Grade Level: 3-5 Equipment: Kickball, Baseball field, bases How to Play: This game is played like a regular game of kickball. The difference is, there can be multiple players on a base at one time.

9. Psych Out
Grade Level: 2-5 Equipment: Soft ball, play area How to Play: This game is best played with a large group of players. The group must make a large circle. In the middle of the circle should be one player with the ball. The player with the ball must pass it to a random player around the circle. If they that player catches the ball, he/she is safe. If the ball is dropped, that player is out and must sit in that spot until it is time for the next game. The person in the middle can throw the ball anywhere, and does not have to throw it in any sort of order. The game continues until there is only one person left standing. That person then becomes the new passer, and the game starts over.

10. Rolling Dodge Ball
Grade Level: 2-5 Equipment: Large yoga ball, Large play area How to Play: This game works best with a large group of players. The group will get in a large circle. Pick one or two players to be in the middle. One person around the outside of the circle will start with the ball. They must roll the ball (using two hands) at the player(s) in the middle. If someone in the middle gets hit with the ball, they must switch places with the person that hit them with the ball.

11. THE END