Inside Active Games for Five Year Olds

Balloon Games

• Divide the children into teams and give the first player in each team line a balloon. Mark a line 20 feet from the starting line. When you say, "Go," the first player in each team line must kick the balloon to the other line and back. Each player must kick the balloon to the run-to line and back. The first team to finish wins the game and a prize. For a variation, have the children hit the balloon in the air instead of kicking it.

Card Games

• Give each kid a deck of cards. Tell the children to practice building with the cards. After five minutes, tell the children they must build the tallest tower they can out of a deck of cards. Give the children 10 minutes to build a tower out of cards. If their tower falls down, they can start over until the timer goes off. The child who builds the tallest standing tower in 20 minutes wins the game and a prize. Award a prize to the child with the tallest and most sturdy tower after 20 minutes.

Dance Games

• For an active dancing game, play some loud music. Tell the children to dance around the play area. When the music stops, tell them they must freeze and be as still as possible. Any children who move are out of the game. The last child standing wins the game and the prize. To make the game harder, tell the children they must dance on one leg. When the music stops, they must freeze on one leg. The last player standing wins the game.

Obstacle Course

• Create an indoor obstacle course using chairs, tables, balloons, string, inflatable beach rings, blankets and couch cushions. Explain to the children how they are supposed to run the course. Divide the children into teams and time each player running the course. Award a prize to the child who runs the course the fastest. If you want players to play in teams, award a prize to the team who runs the course the fastest.