Gymnastic games are a favorite sport for students, and teachers enjoy seeing their students gain strength while also learning core skills that correspond to national P.E. standards! These gymnastics games can help students gain core, arm, and confidence in gymnastics, tumbling, all while having fun and playing games. You only need mats Brittney Resler is the Executive Director of Owatonna Gymnastics Club. She shares nine games that her gymnasts enjoy and those that will be enjoyed by your students.
1. Coach Says
Coach Says is similar to Simon Says but with gymnastics twists on a classic game.
All the children should line up on one side. The goal is to reach the other side first.
You will each tell the children one skill. If they say “Coach Says”, then they are able to do the skill. They should remain where they are if you don’t say “Coach Says”.
They must go back to the beginning if they can’t do the skill without you saying, “Coach Says” or “Coach Calls”. You can make it more difficult by giving the children more skills in a shorter time frame to get them off guard.
You can use these skills to jump forward 5 times, take 2 steps back, forward roll once and chasse 3 times. This game is perfect for any skill level.
2. Active Warm Up Game
As you point out places around the gym, grab your students’ attention. They must run to the location you call. Your students can also run to a mat to complete an activity. You can get your students moving quickly with fun activities like Bunk Beds and Lover’s Leap, Fish Eggs and Man Overboard, as well as Fish Eggs and Fish Eggs.
3. Tag Games For Kids
These games are always a lot of fun. You’ll find old favorites as well as some newer ones in our collection. It is important to establish boundaries and explain rules. This will ensure safety and good sportsmanship.
- Bandage Tag. Select one to be “It.” A player must place a bandage (a piece of cloth) over the area they are tagged. If a first person is tagged twice, the “bandage” will no longer be valid. They must then freeze in place. Two other players can “operate” on a frozen person by “operating,” tagging, and counting to five. When a person is tagged on a hard-to-reach spot such as their back, this game can become a challenge.
- True/False Tag. Divide the group into two equal groups. After the groups have been divided, place the teams on the opposite side of the playing area. Each team will set a goal to tag as many players as possible by the end. True statements, such as “A cat meows”, will lead all true players to run toward their goal and chase down the false team members. Any member of the false team tags anyone on the true team and they are out. The game is won by the team with the most players left. Note to leader: Mix up true and false questions so players can’t anticipate which question will be asked next.
- Start the game by setting limits. To begin the blob, select two players. Players are tagged and must work together in the blob. The next blob will be started by the player(s), who is(are) the last to leave. You can allow two or more students to start blobs if you have large groups.
- Nose Tag and Toe Tag. Tag is fun but also funny. When players hold their noses in one hand, and their toes in the other, they can evade being tagged with “It”. You can designate three to four taggers. Because players can only hold the nose-toes position in this game for three seconds, it makes it exciting. They may also try to escape from the taggers. The taggers are “It” and they begin to chase other players. When everyone is “It”, the game is over.
- Freeze tag. A classic tag game where the “It” players chase each other. If they tag someone, the affected body part “freezes.” This means that if the player is tagged on their left arm, that arm will be frozen. Players are considered out if they have too many frozen body parts that they are unable to move. Variation: You can make it possible for players to have their bodies unfrozen by any other player who is able.
- Tail Tag. Each player must use a flag or a strip of cloth provided by the coach or leader. The “tail” is placed into the player’s belt, pocket, waistband. Players race each other to collect as many tails and protect their own. This is a fun, fast-paced game in which the player with the most tails collects within a given time wins.
4. Scale Contest
This is a game of balance. You start the game by standing position on one leg. The loser is the person who has both feet on the ground.
You can stand in three positions: one foot raised up, scale, or arabesque.
You can make it more challenging by playing the game on a pillow or with your eyes closed.
5. Parent Pull
This game can be played by one parent and one younger sibling, or both parents and children. Parent Pull is a strength test that mimics the pullover on bars.
The larger person should be seated on a couch or chair. Have the child try to lift the larger person with their hands to a standing place. The child can resist pulling at your hands to make it more difficult.
6. Ropes and Hoops
Start by creating two stations with hula hoops, and one with jump ropes. You can allow players to compete in groups or individually depending on how many jump ropes or hula hoops you have. Participants will need to jump rope and hula hoops for two minutes each. One point is awarded for every jump, and one for each turn of the hula-hoop. This gym game is won by the person or team with the most points.
7. Balancing Competition
This is a great exercise game that strengthens your core muscles and improves balance. Start by standing straight with your back straight, and your hands on your hips. You can tighten your abdominal muscles by placing your right foot on your left knee. The competition must do this simultaneously. The person who can stand the longest in this position wins the round. Next, stand on your right foot and place the left foot on your right knee. You can make this a more difficult workout by using yoga balance pods if you have them.
8. Pass and Catch
Ten or more people will be required to stand in a large circle. Each participant raises their arms and touches the other’s fingertips. Each player passes a medium-sized, bouncing medicine ball to the other players in the circle. Throwers can throw underhand, overhand, or with one or more bounces. A player takes a step back when they catch the ball. A player who misses a catch is out of the game. The last player to leave is the winner.
9. Balance Catch
Balance Catch, a classic game of catch played on one foot, is similar to the one above. Start close together and toss the ball back-and-forth, each throw hopping further away.
To strengthen the legs, alternate your feet.
10. Bridge Tunnel
The game could be difficult for younger children so modifications may be necessary. All players must be able to hold a backbend for a minimum of 30 seconds to play the game.
All of the children start by laying side-by-side, pushing towards a bridge. The chain’s first link will lead to the children crawling through the tunnel. Next, the bridge will be built by the last child. The second child will crawl through the tunnel after the first child has made the bridge again.
Continue this until everyone can crawl through the tunnel. Alternative to the bridge, have the children place their feet on a surface that is raised and then push up. This will make it easier to stand.
11. Headstand Progression
Students should be positioned on a mat so that their knees are on the elbows. The game requires practice balancing in this position. Once they feel comfortable, they can raise their legs and complete the headstand progression.
Students can even hold their heads up! Pairs will have one student perform a headstand, while the other student acts as their spotter, keeping their partner’s legs straight. Spotters must run to the other student in the headstand formation when you say “Go” and catch them before they fall. The game is won by the last couple to complete the headstand formation. This pose can lead to light-headedness, so students should not keep it for too long.
12. Stick It Gymnastic Game
Stick-It is a way to challenge your class. Each student is placed on a mat and faces each other in a circle. The instructor will call out different jumps and activities, such as a tuck jump. It is important to perform the jump correctly and land on your feet. Failing to perform the jump correctly and landing on your feet is a sign that they have failed. The winner is the last standing student! This is a great way for students to finish class and determine which jumps they have mastered.
Last Word
Our selection of games is great for gym classes, adult gymnastics lessons, and school gym classes. No matter what size of your group, there is a game that will suit you. Have fun!