Getting kids excited and engaged come gym time can sometimes be challenging. These tips on how to better engage kids during gym class will give you some new ideas for fun and exciting gym time activities.
Make It a Game Day
Making a game day for gym class is sure to engage kids in the activities you have planned. Kids love a little friendly competition to get their activity in for the day. Try one of these fun games with traffic cones in your gym class.
Start With Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great way to shift kids’ focus to the task at hand. Start your gym session with a quiet moment of meditation, then shift into stretches while you outline the plan for your day. Creating a practice of quiet time will get kids’ minds into gear to work out during their gym routine.
Create an Obstacle Course
Excite even the most challenging students with a fun new obstacle course. Create various obstacles throughout the gym that are fun for students. Bonus points if you can make activities that require the students to work together in teams. Combine your obstacle course with a relay element, and the kids are sure to have fun.
Remind Them of the Reason
Reminding kids of the reasons their athletic education is so important is one of the best ways to better engage kids during gym class. Create an exercise that centers around strengthening different aspects of their physical health, and they’ll be sure to enjoy their fitness activities.
Emphasize Team Spirit
Creating a gym routine that requires the class to work together is a great way to strengthen their team spirit and get them to contribute to the greater good. They’ll love a game that engages them in a task they can all complete together.
Finish With a Reflection
Allowing students to come together and reflect at the end of gym class can be a great way to get them more engaged during activities. Ask the class to reflect on what they learned or how they had fun during the day’s activities, and they’ll look forward to reflection every time. This is also a great time for stretching after a good workout.