Hobbies And Interests
Crab Soccer
Divide the kids into two equal teams. Instruct them to assume a crab position by sitting on the gym floor, then raising themselves up off the gym floor with their hands and feet while leaving their bottoms toward the floor. Tell them that the half court line divides the team's territories. Toss beach balls, as many as you choose, up into the air. The kids must kick the beach balls into the other team's territory. They must only use their feet or head, no hands. Allow this to go on for several minutes, then call time. The team with the fewest beach balls on its side of the gym wins.
Indoor Hockey
Divide the kids into two teams. Give each student a set of noodles, the type used for swimming pool toys. Toss a small plastic ball into the center of the gym. The ball can be as small as a golf ball or as large as a softball. Instruct the kids to use the noodles as a hockey stick as they bat the ball into the opposing team's territory. To prevent injuries, tell them to keep the ball near the floor. They must not bat high balls. Allow this to continue for several minutes. Then, call time. The team in possession of the ball when time is called loses. For an added challenge, toss several balls onto the gym floor. The team possessing the fewest balls when time is called wins.
Beach Ball Basketball
Divide the kids into two teams inside a basketball gym. One teams defends a basketball goal while the other team defends the opposite goal. Toss a beach ball into the center of the court. Each team must bat the ball toward its goal. Instruct the teams to bat the ball only, no traditional dribbling or passing. Award a point each time a team manages to bat its ball to the backboard or rim of a goal. Rather than limiting participation to just five players per team, this variation allows as many kids to participate as needed.