Easy Roll or Toss Games
Warm up the students' muscles by having them sit on the floor in a scattered fashion. Give one preschooler a ball and tell her to roll the ball to someone else. That child must catch the ball and roll it to another. After they get the hang of this activity, ask the students to now stand up and toss the ball to one another. Alternatively, have each preschooler select a partner with whom to do this activity instead of the entire class. Catching and tossing games teach children hand-to-eye coordination. Another idea is to have a contest to see which team can toss and catch the ball from the farthest distance.
Circle Games
Ask the preschoolers to stand in a circle with their legs spread apart. Each player should have one of their feet touching the foot of the player on both sides of him, which leaves a gap between their legs. The object of the game is to try to roll the ball through another player's legs. If a player rolls a ball between another player's legs and it makes it out of the circle, that player is out. Keep playing until only a few players are left. Another idea is to have the preschoolers toss the ball to one another in the circle. If a player drops a ball, he must run around the outside of the circle before rejoining the group. These games teach hand-to-eye coordination because the children have to constantly keep their eyes on the ball. Having them run around the circle will build gross motor skills.
Hopping Games
Place 10 foam, softball-size balls on the ground about a foot apart. Have the preschoolers hop over each ball without touching it. If a player touches a ball, he is out of the game and must do 10 jumping jacks or hops. The last player remaining wins the game. Another idea is to create a relay race. Place another four balls on the ground and divide the preschoolers into two teams. When you say, "Race," the first two players in each line must hop over the balls and run back to the next player in line. Each player must do the same thing. The first team to complete the relay wins the game. These activities build gross motor skills and is great exercise for the young children.
Other Ball Games
Make a game of bowling for the preschoolers using empty soda bottles or paper towel tubes. Stand the bottles or tubes up in a pyramid formation like bowling pins. Have the children roll a bowl to try to knock down the pins. The child who knocks down the most pins in five rolls wins the game. Another idea is to place a few cans stacked in a tall pyramid shape and have the preschoolers toss tennis balls at the cans to knock them down. These games build hand-to-eye coordination and teach the children how to aim. Award a small prize, such as stickers or crayons and a coloring book, to all game winners.