Recreation Games for Third Grade

500

• This is a game for third grade children to practice counting skills. Have the children spread out in a playing field. The instructor stands in front of the children with a tennis ball and a racket. The instructor hits the ball into the air. When the ball is in the air, the instructor shouts how many points the catch is worth, up 500. The child who catches the ball receives those points. If they drop the ball, they lose that many points. A volunteer can stand on the side and keep a score sheet with each child's points. The first child to reach 500 points wins.

Necking the Orange

• Arrange the children in teams, standing in a line. The first person in the team should hold an orange under their chin. Instruct the children to pass the orange to their teammates without using their hands. They should continue to pass the orange by gripping it under their chin. The relay race ends when the last person on the team receives the orange and runs to the front of the line. This game allows third grade children to interact closely with one another and feel comfortable.

The Sponge

• Organize the kids into teams and stand them in rows. Put a bucket of water and a sponge at the front of each row. At the back of the row put another empty bucket. The instructor should use a stopwatch and set a desired time for the children to complete the relay. The first child in the row dips the sponge into the bucket of water and passes it down the line to the last person. The child at the end of the row squeezes the water into the empty bucket and runs to the front of the line. Repeat the process and keep the children rotating in line until the clock runs out. The team with the most water in their bucket wins. This game is ideal for teaching teamwork skills.

Egg Toss

• Choose a partner for each child. Have the children stand in two rows, with each child facing their partner. The rows work best at about five feet apart. Give a raw egg to each player in the first row. The instructor can use a whistle or give a command for the children in the first row to toss the egg to their partner. If the egg is dropped or caught too hard and breaks, that pair is out of the game. If a team catches the egg without breaking it, both players take one giant step backwards. Giive the command for the children to toss the egg again. This will become more difficult as they step back farther from each other. Repeat the toss until only one team remains and wins. Third grade children will love this recreational game because they are allowed to get a little messy. Working with a partner promotes teamwork.

Ice Jump

• This game requires a large trampoline. Place several ice cubes in the center of the trampoline. For safety, only allow two or three children on the trampoline at a time. As they children begin to jump, they must try to avoid the ice cube. A child is eliminated when an ice cube touches her foot. Replace that child with someone else and keep the game going until only one child remains and becomes the winner. The Ice Jump game teaches third grade children coordination and concentration and is a good exercise activity.