Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Five Minute Physical Activities for Kids

Teachers can use five-minute physical activities in between lesson plans or as a way to warm up kids before a physical education class. The activities are quick, easy and require minimal supplies. Physical activities encourage a healthy lifestyle for all children. Combining some activity ideas with a creative imagination provide all you need to prepare speedy activities for kids.

Basic
- For basic activities, have the children walk, jog or run in place for a couple of minutes. Another idea is to hold relay races for kids. Mark a starting line and finish line 25 feet apart. Divide the kids into two teams and have them line up at the starting line. On go, the kids must race to the finish line and back to tag the next player in line. Each player must do the same thing. The first team to finish wins the race. Alternatively, have short individual races instead of team races. Options for the races include having the kids can walk, jog, run or run backward.
Warming-Up Activities
- Ask the kids to stand in a circle and squat down on the ground. When you say "Stretch," have the children slowly stretch upward. They will stand all the way up and reach as high as they can to the ceiling. Tell them to keep doing this activity. However, do the activity faster each time. For a funny warm-up activity, teach the children a chicken stretch. Have them raise their knees in the air to try to touch their chin. Ask them to place the thumbs under their armpits and flap like a chicken. For added fun, have them "cluck" like a chicken.
Balloon Activities
- Give the children a balloon to bump in the air. Tell the kids they cannot let their balloon touch the ground. Make the activity more difficult by giving each child two or three balloons. Alternatively, divide the kids into two large groups or several small groups. Give each team 10 balloons to bump in the air. The first team to allow a balloon to touch the ground loses. Keep adding balloons to each group to make the activity more difficult.
Other Activities
- Other activities include a quick scavenger hunt or hula-hoop contest. Hide random items like balls all over the play area. The child who finds the most balls in five minutes wins the game. Give each child a hula hoop and see who can hoop the longest. Other quick activities include jumping rope, playing catch-and-toss with foam balls and hopscotch. If you have access to music, play a game of freeze dance. When you stop the music, the kids have to freeze.

Kids Games