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Preschool Gym Games

Many preschoolers are active and love to play games. There are several gym games they can play that help improve their coordination and introduce them to team interaction. Appropriate games for this age are adaptable to most skill levels and do not require much equipment.

Parachute Play
- Use an old parachute for gym games
  
  Preschoolers can play several games with a parachute, although acquiring a parachute may be a challenge. Have them stand in a circle surrounding the parachute, and ask them to hold it with both hands. Let them create waves with it by slowly lifting and lowering it. Have them do it quickly to see the different movements. After they are comfortable holding it, have them walk to their left, staying in a circle formation while holding the parachute. Have them change directions. See whether they can skip or sidestep together.
  
  Another activity with parachutes involves balls. Start with one beach ball on the parachute and have the preschoolers bounce it up in the air. See whether they can keep the ball from falling off the parachute. Add a ball to make it more challenging.
  
  For a more interactive game, have one child stand in the center of the circle, under the parachute. Have the other children quietly say the alphabet and assign a letter to each child. For example, Joy might be letter A, and Peter might be letter B. The child in the center calls out a letter as the other children lift and lower the parachute. The child whose letter is called joins the child in the center under the parachute. The newest person to the center calls another letter. This continues until all the children are under the parachute. If there is a child who is uncomfortable going under the parachute, ask her to be the leader. She can stand away from the parachute or continue to hold it and call out random letters until she is the only one not under the parachute.
Hot Potato
- Use different sized balls to keep it interesting
  
  Have the children sit in a large circle. Use one ball to begin the game, but as the kids get more competent, add more. Tell the children to pretend the ball is hot and they want to get rid of it as fast as possible by throwing it to someone else. Remind them to keep the ball in motion and in the air. If someone drops it, he moves out of the circle. You may choose not to have a child leave the circle, and simply continue the game.
What Time is it, Mr. Fox?
- Have the children line up on one side of the gym. You stand on the opposite side. When you raise your hand, instruct the children to ask, "What time is it, Mr. Fox?" You lower your hand and say, "It is time to skip." The children skip toward you until you raise your hand again. They stop and repeat the question. You lower your hand and direct them to make a different movement toward you. The kids can crab-walk, run, hop, walk backward or a number of other options.

Kids Games