Warm Up Running Games for Kids

Candy Chase

• For this game, a little preparation is needed. First, the adult in charge should purchase at least three or four pieces of wrapped, penny-candy for each child. This candy should be spread out in a large area before the children arrive. After the kids are ready, have them stand behind a starting line and note their location. When the coach says, "Go," kids sprint to pick up one piece of candy and return it to their beginning location. Children repeat this until all the candy is picked up. The child with the most candy is the winner.

Catch Me if You Can

• To play this game, kids must be running in a place with several landscape objects, such as a fire hydrants, stop signs or tree stumps. If a place like this is unavailable, the coach can spread out several objects such as hats, jackets or balls. The youngest runner starts first by choosing an object and calling it out as he sprints to it. All runners then chase the leader to the specific object. The last child there is the next to pick another object to run. The winner is the last kid who hasn't had a turn to be the leader.

Octopus

• This game works best between two walls or lines. The oldest runner is the "octopus" first and stands in-between the two walls to await the start. The remaining runners line up on one wall and run to the opposite wall when the coach yells "Go." The octopus tries to catch the runners before they touch the finish wall. If a runner is tagged, she links arms with the current octopus. Together they run and tag more runners. This play repeats until one lone runner, the winner, is left unhooked from the octopus.

Dog Chasing Tail

• For this game, you will need a bandanna or a piece of scrap fabric. All runners begin by making a large line. Each person holds the waist of the runner in front of them, being careful not to hook fingers on clothing. Next, the coach tucks the bandanna into the waistband of the last runner, leaving at least two-thirds hanging out. When the coach yells "Go," the person at the front of the line tries to get the bandanna from the end of the line, while keeping them all attached. Play continues with each person having an opportunity to be the end. The kid who keeps his or her tail the longest, is the winner.