Positive Play Example Activities

Click on the section below to view the relevant sample lesson material:

“Markers, Tracks and Hopscotch”

Use the hopscotch, snake, fortypede, stepping stones, maze or throw down markers and travel along it or through it in different ways e.g:-
With a partner or in a small group:-

“Popstars / Filmstars”

The playing space is agreed.
The game leader stands on one side of the area and the remaining players on the other side (about 20m away).
The game leader calls out the initials of a popstar or filmstar.
As soon as the players think they know the answer, they run to the opposite side of the area and back again, then shout out the name.
When a player successfully guesses the name, they become the leader and call out the initials for the next game.

“Hoop Circle”

Stand in a circle holding hands.
Place a hoop over someone’s arm before they hold onto the next players hand.
The object of the game is to pass the hoop around the circle without breaking hands.
If you can do this easily, can you change to a smaller hoop?
If you have six or more players, can you try passing two hoops around?
Can one hoop catch the other one up?

“Catch Up”

Stand just outside the circle. Someone holds a sponge ball and on the opposite side of the circle someone else holds a beanbag. On a signal the ball and beanbag are passed around the circle in the same direction. Can the beanbag catch the ball up?
Play the same game as above, but a volunteer stands in the centre of the circle and occasionally calls “change”. As the word “change” is called, everyone begins passing the beanbag and ball in the opposite direction and we are chasing in the opposite direction.

“Frost and Sunshine”

Mark out the boundaries of the game.
One person is FROST (and wears a BLUE band)
Another person is SUNSHINE (and wears a YELLOW band)
Everyone begins running about in the space and FROST tries to catch them.
When they are touched by FROST, they stand still (freeze)
Sunshine can run around and touch the “frozen” children to release (melt) them and they join in the game again.
Sunshine cannot be caught.
Change FROST and SUNSHINE regularly.

“Stuck in the Mud”

One or two chasers, dependent on the number of participants in the game.
This must be played within an agreed area.
When the chaser catches a player, the “tagged” person stands still with arms outstretched.
The player can be released by a “free” person running underneath one of the outstretched arms (the player must go underneath the arm from behind the player, so there is no possibility of clashed heads).
The chasers can capture as many players as possible and also guard the captured players.

N.B. The same game can be played with a different method of release…

When caught the player stands up tall arms in the air, releaser jumps up to “high five” (clap hands) with him /her.
If the surface is suitable, when caught the player stands with arms and legs stretched wide sideways. Releaser passes underneath the player, between his / her legs. (Smaller numbers playing in a restricted area makes a better game)

“Throwing Challenges”

Positive Play - playground games Can you throw the ball up in the air and……….