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Playground Games for Children in KS1

School Playground

Key stage one children are between the ages of 5 and 7 and typically enjoy an hour long break at school lunchtime. So, we thought we’d list some fun games they could enjoy during this time, or as part of a lesson, to help burn off some energy, teach them about teamwork, and grow their imaginations. Below is our list of the top playground games for children in key stage one.

Sports Relay Races

These are fantastic games to help kids get rid of that excess energy and blow off some steam.

Number of Players: maximum of 30
Age Range: 4+

Sport relay races are ideal for teaching players how to enjoy team play while keeping fit and improving their agility. It’s a great game for children in key stage one, but it can also be enjoyed by children of all ages.

How to play sport relay races: sport relay races can be played by splitting children into two separate teams. Each team has to take it in turns to dribble a ball from one point to another. To up the stakes, you could add in obstacles for players to move around. The first team to get all their players to the finishing line wins!

Tug-of-War

A fantastic game that people have been playing for years, tug-of-war can be enjoyed by players of all ages but is a fun game for key stage one children as it helps bring out their natural competitiveness. The number of players available to play this game is only limited by the length of the rope available.

Age Range: 5+

How to play: It is best to mix up players of different strength abilities so that both teams are evenly split. Opposing teams stand either side of the rope and must pull until the other team is pulled over the line (marking the middle point of the rope). When both teams are evenly matched, it helps make the game more interesting!

The Agility Course

An agility course is a great way to help kids have fun while also improving their teambuilding and agility skills. This game is perfect if you have an agility course already painted out on the school playground tarmac. However, if you do not, it is also possible to create one of your own with a piece of chalk and some creativity.

How to Play the Game: To play the game, split the children into two teams and have them line up next to each other. One player in each team goes at a time and races the other to the end of the agility course. The first team to see all their players across the finishing line, wins the game!

Please, Mr Crocodile

A fun game for children in KS1, Please, Mr Crocodile is a great game for teaching children about patience, speed, and self-awareness.
Age Range: 5+

How to play: One child plays the crocodile and the other children stand together in a row a few metres away. The players have to say, “Please, Mr Crocodile, can we cross your golden river?” The child playing Mr Crocodile then replies something like, “Only if you’re wearing red.”

All the children wearing red can then take one step forward safely. All the children not wearing red have to attempt to avoid the crocodile’s snaps while running for the safety zone. If you’re caught, you’re out. The person to reach Mr Crocodile and survive the game without getting caught is the winner and gets to play Mr Crocodile in the next game play.

Simon Says

A game that many children really enjoy playing is Simon Says. This game can be played with as many children as want to play. One child must be chosen to play Simon, while the rest remain in a group to follow the instructions. This is a great game for teaching children good listening skills!

Age Range: 5+

How to play: Simon Says is played using some really simple rules. One child must be ‘Simon’ and give the instructions to the other players, while the rest of the group follow. When the leader says, “Simon Says”, all the other players have to do the appropriate action. For example: “Simon says, clap your hands.”

If the child playing Simon says an instruction such as, “clap your hands” without saying “Simon Says” first, the players who clapped their hands are out of the game. The last player standing wins and gets to play Simon in the next game!

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a game that is played by one person at a time but is a great way to teach balance, counting, coordination, and so much more!

Age Range: 5+

Hopscotch is a diagram that is commonly drawn on school playgrounds and includes numbered squares.

How to play: The player plays the game by throwing a bean bag or a stone into one of the squares. They then have to follow the hopping pattern, skipping the square with the beanbag or stone on it. This is a great way for children to learn balance, counting, and develop their agility and is also just a fun game to play!

Leap Frog Races

A fun game for children in key stage one, leap frog races can be played by groups of 10 players or more. Leap frog races are a great game for teaching balance, agility, and teamwork for young children still learning how to play well with others.

Age Range: 5+

How to play: To play leap frog, split the group of players into two competing teams and when you say “go”, each team takes off across the field, with each player hopping over his teammates and then crouching down to be hopped over themselves. The first team to leap frog it all the way across the finishing line, wins the race.

Playground Games are Ideal for KS1 Children

There are so many games that are ideal for KS1 children, we thought we’d list just some of our favourites. You can choose form games that help develop patience, teamwork, and social skills in children. There are so many options available! For more playground games ideas, discover our top 50 playground game ideas for more great suggestions!

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