These warm ups are intended for the the grade 1 level. Each warm up is intended to take 5-10 minutes worth of class time. Feel free to mix and match activities for the ultimate warm-up!

Photo by Alaric Sim on Unsplash

Dice Moving Materials: White Board or Poster Paper, Foam Dice or Regular Dice

  • To set up for this game write the numbers 1 through 6 on a white board or large piece of paper. For each number, write a high intensity locomotor movement. Examples include laps around the gym, burpees, skipping, jumping from one end of the gym to the other, etc.
  • The game is best played in small groups of students, but can be played as a whole class if necessary.
  • Take turns rolling the dice. The number that the dice lands one will be the movement that students must complete. Example if the number 1 means run 2 laps and the dice lands on the number 1 then that group must do 2 laps.
  • Once students complete the movement they can roll the dice again.
  • Note: To challenge students, make it a competition and the first team to roll all of the numbers wins. However, they must complete the movement every time they roll, even if they have already landed on that number.

Shrinking Space Materials: Cones

  • Start with cones outlining the gym and students spread out using the entire gym.
  • Call out a locomotor movement for the students to complete.
  • Once everyone completes the movement move the cones in, shrinking the space that students are allowed to stand in. Call out another movement.
  • Continue shrinking the space until there is no more room to complete movements safely or students feel the space is too small.
  • The purpose of this game is to get students moving and practice spatial awareness. However, do be mindful of safety and of your students personal comforts regarding being close to each other.
  • Note: You can add an additional challenge and encourage students to not bump into each other by adding a “penalty”. For example, if students bump into each other they have to step out of the area and complete 10 jumping jacks or another movement of your choice.

Line Monsters Materials: N/A

  • All students move on the lines of the gym floor, except for 2-3 students who are the “monsters”.
  • All students who are not it have to run on the lines. If they get tagged by a monster, they must step off the line and put their hand in the air to get a high five. 
  • You can tell the students that when they get tagged the monsters have taken all their energy so they need to get more energy from a friend. They get more energy by being high fived by a friend.
  • Once they get a high five, they can rejoin the game and run on the lines.
  • Monsters do not have to stay on the lines, but they can only walk.
  • Note: To get all students moving, make sure you switch taggers often.

Island Hopping Tag Materials: Hula Hoops

  • Lay out 5 hula hoops around the gym they will be “islands”. Choose about 6 students to be the taggers or “alligators”.
  • When the round begins, students move around the gym in any locomotor movement that you choose. Examples include running, jumping, skipping, galloping, etc.
  • If students are tagged by an alligator outside of the islands, they must switch jobs (taggers become player and player becomes tagger).
  • If a student gets to an island safely they must do a “five-finger count” and then they must leave the island. They may not return to the same island before they go to the other islands.
  • Note: Try adding or removing hula hoops throughout the game and talk with students about how that changes the game difficulty.

3 Line Relay Materials: N/A

  • Split the students into 3 groups and line them up at one end of the gym.
  • When the teacher says “Go!” the first student in line from each group will run to the other end of the gym and back.
  • When they return to their group they will high five the next person in line, then that person can run. If some students do not want to touch they can give a thumbs up to each other and then go.
  • The student that just finished running can sit down, cheering their group.
  • The goal is to be the first group to have all members complete the run and sitting.
  • Instead of running, you can change the locomotor movement each round. You could also say run half way and skip the rest of the way. Be sure students are moving their bodies before they try to sprint full speed.
  • Note: You can make it a competition between the groups if you want. You can also make teams compete against themselves by timing each group and encouraging them to get a faster time each round.