3 playground games to try with your students

Playground games are a great way to connect with students and use some of that pent-up energy.

Now the snow has gone, it’s the perfect time to introduce your students to some new playground games. Luckily, we have a few ideas on that front – check them out!

Why are playground games important?

The best thing about playground games is that they’re fun.

It’s really important for school to be a fun, enjoyable and safe space for students – especially with exams coming up. A few playground games can really put students at ease, relieve stress and they’ll have a good time with their friends – who could say no to that?

These outdoor games can give them the fresh air and exercise they need, as well as improve their social skills. It can even help them concentrate in class so it’s a win-win!

Students of all ages can benefit from playground games, but we’ll admit getting a bunch of secondary school students to join in can be a bit tough.

Younger children respond best to organised play with the rest of their class. It helps them develop long-lasting friendships and breaks up their day with something really fun.

For most playground games all you need is a playground, however a few extras like a ball, skipping rope or parachute might brighten up the environment.

You could even consider getting an outdoor canopy to act as a ‘base’ for these games. It also means that you can still go outside if it’s a bit wet, and have plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning. Hooray!

3 playground games your students will enjoy!

Of course, there are your standard playground games like ‘It’ and ‘Stuck in the mud’ but here are a few of our not-so-common favourites.

These simple games can be played with a few students or the whole class. Here’s a quick rundown of how to play:

1. Kick the can

Place a metal can in the middle of the playing area.

• Select a student or team as ‘it’.
• Tell them to cover their eyes and count to 30 while the others run off and hide.
• Send those who are ‘it’ off to go and find and ‘tag’ everyone; if a student is tagged they must go to a holding pen for captured players – a wall or side of the playground will do.
• If one of the uncaptured players kicks the can, the captured players are replaced.

The game ends when all the non-‘it’ players are captured.

2. Grab the flag

Split your class into two and give each team a flag to put at their base.

• Tell them the aim is to steal the other team’s flag and bring it back to their own half of the playground.
• Students can tag opposing players and send them to their ‘jail’, however they can be freed by a member of their own team.

It can be useful to have a ‘one freed person per jailbreak’ rule as otherwise it can get a little bit chaotic.

Try suggesting that the students in jail form a chain to make it easier for their team to tag them.

3. Red light, green light

Select a caller and line up all the other students at the opposite end of the playground.

• The caller should shout ‘green light’ to get the other students to start walking towards them.
• They can then randomly shout ‘red light’ to stop the students.
• Anyone who moves is out of the game.

The last person standing is the next caller.

So, those are three of our favourite playground games; they’re great fun for both staff and students so why not try them out today?

Ask our experts about playground canopies today, so you’re ready for games in springtime.