Fun indoor games for middle school students

A little like tennis played with a Wiffle ball and large, wooden, ping-pong-style paddles, Pickleball is perfect for indoor play. It works with smaller classes or bigger ones. You can even get multiple games going at once, if you have a larger indoor space to accommodate them. There are lots of variations on the game that can be implemented to fit your particular class and indoor space.

This game requires nine hula hoops and ten beanbags—five of one color, and five of another. Lay out the hula hoops on the floor in a three-by-three square, like a tic-tac-toe grid. Then divide students into two teams, and have them line up at a starting point some distance away from the hoops. When the teacher says Go , Player One from the first team runs to the hula hoops and drops a beanbag into the hoop of their choice, and then runs to the back of their own line as quickly as possible.

As soon as that player returns, Player One from the second team does the same thing, running to the hoops and dropping a beanbag into another hoop before returning. These games move fast, and the goal is just like that of regular tic-tac-toe: Each team is attempting to block the other team from filling a line of hoops with their bean bags by dropping their own bags strategically. Teams will likely complete multiple games before every player has had a chance to go.

Players who are waiting in line can keep their hearts pumping with jumping jacks, high-knees, or running or marching in place. Middle-school students may be growing up, but their love of chase games never wears thin. This classic, simple game is not just for younger kids! They can choose their own movements or the teacher can call them out.

Running, skipping and dancing all work, as do jumping-jacks, high-knees, lunges and even burpees. The possibilities are nearly endless! The slow movements followed by holding a particular position can help students focus on form while building muscle and endurance. Wall ball is usually played outdoors against an exterior wall, but it can also be played inside on an indoor PE day.

I also let kids use leftover worksheet copies, which students use to play school with or transform into their own activity there are always a handful of kids who LOVE this. My students used to anxiously watch the weather forecasts for thunderstorm days, because they knew that meant they could bring toys to school! What are your favorite indoor recess activities for kids?

Please share in the comments below! After a winter like we have had in Ohio indoor recess was an everyday occurrence-almost! Toy Story The short segments make it almost perfect for recess time. We watch the next segment the following day. My group begs to be able to play with the Lincoln Logs and tinker toys.

They like using the ereaders. I made a card game for them Go Fish Sight Words. They really enjoy playing the game while at the same time working on vocabulary and sight words. My husband and I are Noon Aide at a small Elementary school when we have an indoor day grades get to play in their classroom but Kindergarten has to watch a movie now when you get year olds in one room that show no interest in watching a movie it can get crazy we are looking for some activity ideas that we can do with them its only a 20 minute recess and were all in one classroom together any Ideas would help.

If you have a Netflix or Amazon Prime account you can have students watch the show R. The episodes are only 25 minutes long. BTW, if anyone wants to do this idea, I recommend knowing your age group. My recommendation is to let the kids vote on what they want, as long as its school appropriate. Also, if the video of the winner of the vote is blocked on school computers, then just choose the 2nd most popular option.

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Click above to copy the link. Home Articles 15 fun indoor recess games and activities. Four Corners This classic indoor game is simple to teach and easy to play. Charades Both younger and older students will enjoy this indoor recess activity. Start or end with a Freeze Dance Party Most kids love to dance or just be silly with their friends, so this is a great way to get kids moving indoors. Small Group Indoor Recess Ideas I love this approach, because I think choice is a really important element for kids and I want them to have some control over how they spend their break.

Computer and app games On your classroom computers or tablets, create a folder called Indoor Recess Games and fill it with the sites or apps that are okay for use during indoor recess.

Pick one player, or 2 if you have a really large group, to be the murderer, by touching them on their shoulder. Then get everyone to open their eyes and pick a detective. If you are winked at you die, in a really dramatic fashion of course! The detective must try and guess who the murderer is. The murderer keeps winking at people until they are all out or they have been caught.

Two Truths and a Lie. Balloon Ping-Pong. Clear some space in the hall and off they go. Geography Game. Indoor Obstacle Course with a twist. Twenty Questions. Make Up Limericks. Build it High. Chinese Whispers. Stop the Bus. When everyone has finished you add up their scores for that round, awarding 10 points for a unique answer one no one else has , and 5 points for a duplicate answer.

You can come up with new categories as well to play against. Try to Skip Times Without Stopping. Classic indoor games for kids never get boring! Hang Man. Proceed like so until the word is guessed correctly in time, or the little stickman has been hanged.

About the Author: jenniferb. Related Posts. December 10th, 0 Comments. December 1st, 0 Comments. November 20th, 0 Comments.

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