Dodgeball
To start things off, we have a fun activity that the 5- to 6-year-olds will enjoy. I prefer to play this in an indoor space so the ball does not go too far away.
How to Play
So you need an indoor space, some masking tape, and a ball. Instruct them on the following rules: You can only throw the ball at the arms or legs, not at the face or body. If you do that, you are out. If the ball hits you on the legs or arms, you are out.
The teacher can decide if children can run with the ball or not. Sometimes I end the game when there is a certain number of players left in one team; you can also end it when all the players are out in a team.
Sometimes I have interclass competitions, as the space allows, so children can enjoy having a friendly match.
Soccer
Then we have an activity that boys and girls can enjoy, though there are some girls who dislike this.
How to Play
You just need a ball and some chairs to delegate as goals. I will divide the class into 2 groups, one standing on each side of the court. I will also get one team to tuck out their shirt so they can recognise each other. Have them assign a goalkeeper that will stand on the other team's goal, so if the ball goes through, then the team that kicked the ball scores a goal. Before the match begins, I tell them to send 1 representative from each team to stand in the middle with me, and I will toss the ball up. Remind them not to use their hands, only feet.
Silent Ball
This is more fun than it seems; kids really enjoy it. You might think kids prefer loud or messy games, but this works so well once they understand the rules.
How to Play
For this game, you just need a ball. No teams required. The rules are simple. Stay silent. If you make a single noise, you are out. So no laughing or random noises. If someone tries to pass you the ball and you try to catch it but fail, you are out. If someone tosses you the ball but you avoid it, then you are safe. I will give the ball to a child to start the game. This game requires some getting used to. Feel free to change the rules as you deem fit.
Rhythm Game
I am not sure of the name of this game, but I always call it the rhythm game. You simply do this pattern: tap, clap, point, point, name-name.
How to Play
Get the children to sit down, preferably in a circle formation where they can see each other. So you demonstrate first by tapping your thighs, clapping, pointing to the right, and pointing to the left. Then you repeat, but this time you call out your name twice when you point to the right and left. Then you repeat the pattern, and on your next pointing you call out a child's name. So the child does the same by calling their name, and then calling out another friend's name. This game does take some getting used to, but once the rhythm flows, it can go on and on.
Apple Pie
Such a fun yet simple game to occupy the class during transition or when you are waiting for something (which happens a lot in a preschool!).
How to Play
Call out a child to stand with you, and then have them turn their back to face the class. Then you point to one child, get them to say "Apple pie," but have them change their voice. Then the child who is standing with you has 3 tries to guess who said "Apple pie". Some students are able to mask their voice, and some are able to guess all the time correctly.
Musical Chairs
This needs no explanation, but for the sake of this post, I shall briefly go through the instructions.
How to Play
You need a device that can play music, preferably at a child's level. Count the number of students you have and set chairs in a circle; ensure it is 1 less than the number of students. Play the music and instruct children to walk in a circle without touching the chairs. Pause the music, and then they will sit down. The child who does not get a chair will be out. I have fun tricking them as they like to look at me when I am about to press the button.
I let the child who is out control the music so I can control the class. This also allows them to not feel left out. However, when the next child is out, this current child has to go away from the music player.
Musical Costumes
I found this fun activity online.
How to Play
Prepare a bag of costumes. This game is similar to "Pass the Ball". Get children to all sit in a circle. Play music, and the children have to pass the bag from child to child. When you pause the music, the child holding the bag has to take out 1 costume and wear it. Repeat the game until the bag is empty.
Trading Game
I saved the best for last. You will not find this anywhere on preschool websites or blogs; I found it on a classroom activity meant for older students and adapted it for preschool level.
How to Play
-Talk about a trading game they will play: divide the class into small groups; each group is a country, and the teacher is the "trader", with lots of small manipulatives to represent dollars.
-There are a few rich, a few poor, and a few middle-income countries.
-Give each group an envelope with: a few pieces of paper, 1 ruler, and 1 pencil. Richer countries have more resources.
-Teacher draws a chart on the whiteboard to illustrate what a few of each shape costs. (4 Circles, 4 Squares, 4 Rectangles, 4 Triangles- all $1 each)
-Have them make as many pieces as they can, and the teacher judges the pieces and rejects pieces that do not look like proper shapes.
-Change the prices as and when according to "demand", or whether a shape is too much or too little.
-Ring a bell from time to time, to sell "upgrades" like scissors, rulers, pencils, more paper. Do a 10-second or 20-second countdown for the "upgrade" deal to be over.
-Introduce new shapes, e.g cloud, from time to time.
-Facilitate the activity; ensure that when children have less money, give them more time. When they have more, start raising the prices for the "upgrades".
Let me know in the comments below if you found this useful or if you have any other suggestions!
