These warm ups are intended for the the grade 3 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 Anna Samoylova on Unsplash

Mirror Mirror Materials: N/A

  • Divide the students into two equal groups. One group will stand on the outside of the basketball court lines. The other group will stand on the inside of the lines.
  • Make sure each person has a partner from the other group.
  • The outside group will run around the court clock wise. The inside group will run around counter clockwise.
  • When the teacher says “Go!” both groups start running in their respective directions.
  • When the teacher says “Stop!” the outside group stops and make any pose they want. For example they could pose like a tree or a dancer.
  • The inside group must then find their partner ask quick as they can and copy their pose.
  • Play the game for as many rounds as you like and be sure to switch roles often.
  • Note: Instead of saying “Go!” and “Stop!” you can use music as a signal of when to go and stop.

Call the Ball Materials: Foam Balls

  • Give each student a ball and have them spread out around the outside of the basketball court.
  • When the teacher says “Go!” all students will run or sprint around the court holding their ball.
  • When the teacher calls out any of the following comands, the students must come to a complete stop and complete the action.
  • The demands could be: Sit on ball, Right/left foot on ball, Right/left elbow on ball, Right/left hand on ball, Right/left knee on ball, Move ball on floor around your ankles, Move the ball around your head, Touch your head to the ball.
  • Once all student complete the action they can begin running again.
  • Note: You can have students move in different locomotor movements each round as opposed to just running. You can also add a speed element where the last student to complete the action has to do 5 jumping jacks or another movement of your choice.

Predators and Prey Materials: Pinnies

  • Choose two students to be “wolves” they will be taggers. Choose another 5-7 students to be “foxes” they will also be taggers. The rest of the students will be “rabbits” they will not be taggers.
  • Give one colour of pinnies to the wolves and a different colour to the foxes.
  • To start the game have all of the students spread out in the gym. When the teacher says “Go!” all of the students will run around.
  • Rabbits are at the bottom of the food chain and can be tagged by foxes or wolves. Foxes are in the middle of the food chain and can tag rabbits, but also be tagged by the wolves. Wolves are at the top of the food chain and can tag foxes or rabbits.
  • When a student is tagged they must go over to the side and complete a predetermined action before rejoining. For example 5 burpees.
  • Be sure to switch roles throughout the game so students can experience each level.
  • Note: Check out this video for further instructions and a diagram on how to play!

Plant Trees Materials: Cones and Beanbags

  • Divide the gym into three horizontal sections using cones. Divide the students into two teams and place one team in the two outside sections.
  • In the middle section scatter more beanbags then students. Have both teams start with one hand touching the wall.
  • When the teacher says “Go!” all of the students run to the middle section and pick up one beanbag and bring it back to their team’s side.
  • The goal is to put as many beanbags or “trees” on your teams side as possible. The students can run to the opposition’s side and pick up trees.
  • You can only carry one tree at a time. You can not throw a tree to your side, you must place it on your side.
  • Play for as long as you would like and at the end of each round, each team counts how many trees they “planted”. Team with the most wins.
  • Note: Check out this website for more diagrams and games to play.

Icebergs Materials: Gym Mats, Music

  • Scatter 5 gym mats around the gym floor. Have the students scatter themselves around the gym.
  • When the music starts the students move around the gym by dancing or doing a locomotor movement such as running, skipping, hopping, etc.
  • When the music stops the teacher will call out a number and whatever the number is, is how many students must sit on a mat. For example if the teacher calls out 3, each mat must have no more than 3 students sitting on it and no less than 3.
  • Give students about 10 seconds to sort themselves out. The students left without a mat or with too few/too many on a mat have to complete a movement of your choice. For example jumping jacks, run in place, push-ups.
  • Once they have completed the movement, all students stand back up and a new round begins.
  • Note: Check out this website for variations and more suggestions.