Kindergarten and Preschool Games

show a number or alphabet card.
the children make that shape using their arms, hands, legs or fingers.
they can form the letter or number by using their whole body either by standing or laying down.

Matching Alphabet, Number, Shape or Color Game

distribute 2 copies of alphabet letters, numbers, shape cards to the children. Ensure there is a matching set.
children hop, skip, gallop, slide, walk or run backwards to find the matching letter
once a match is found the children sit on the floor
children exchange cards so they are holding a different card
once all the cards are exchanged the game begins again

Touch a Color

GAMES FOR THE FAMILY AND PETS THEME UNIT

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL GAMES

Animal Tails

each child has a pinnie or scarf tucked into the back of their pants. This is an animal tail
the children run around the gymnasium trying to get an animal tail while trying to keep their own. They are not allowed to hold onto their tails.
once a child has collected a tail, these are placed into a designated area
the child that has lost a tail can go and collect a new one

Animal Tag

children lineup on one side of the gymnasium
choose 2 or more children to be IT
divide children into groups of 4 or 5 per group
give each group a different name of an animal
the children that are IT call out one of the animal names
the animals that are called must try to run past the people that are IT to a designated safe zone. If they are tagged they join the people that are IT
the game continues until all the children are tagged

GAMES FOR THE HALLOWEEN THEME UNIT

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL GAMES

Pumpkin Tag (co-operation game)

children are assigned partners. One partner is the pumpkin and the other partner is the pumpkin protector
assign 1 or more children to be the pumpkin catchers
designate safe areas within the gym
the pumpkin and pumpkin protector join hands. The pumpkin protector is to lead the pumpkin to a safe area away from the pumpkin catcher without either of them falling
once they arrive in a safe zone they are to do assigned exercises (10 wall push-ups, sit-ups or crunches).
After completing this they make their way to another safe zone
If they get caught by the pumpkin catchers, they must help him/her catch other pumpkins and their protectors.
once everyone is caught, the game begins again with the children switching roles

Ghost or Scarecrow Relay

Equipment - white pillowcases, big clothes or burlap bags representing ghosts or scarecrows

divide children into 2 teams
place pillowcases, burlap bags or big clothes in two hoops at the end of the gym
children must run to the hoop and climb into the pillowcases/burlap bag or big clothes
they must run back to their team and they do the same
this continues until everyone has had a turn

GAMES FOR THE ABOUT ME THEME UNIT

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL GAMES

Funny Faces

I Am Special Tag Game

choose 2-4 children to be the ones tagging the rest
when a child has been tagged they must freeze
another child can free them by going up and telling what is special about them. Encourage children to do this once during the game.

Name Game

divide children into groups of 4 or 5. One child is holding a ball
each child must call a name of another child in the group and either throw or bounce the ball to them

GAMES FOR THE NUTRITION THEME UNIT

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL GAMES

Food Group Tag

children lineup on one side of the gymnasium
choose 2 or more students to be IT
divide the class into groups of 4 or 5 in each group. Assign a different food group name to each group.
the children that are IT call out the name of a food group
the first group that is called must run past the people that are IT to a designated safe zone
if they get tagged they join the children that are IT
the game continues until all the children are tagged

Food Group Game

prior to entering the gymnasium whisper to the children what food group they are
on your signal, have children move around the gym (marching, hopping, skipping, galloping or sliding) searching for another person in a different food group
once they have found a different food group member, they join hands looking for yet another different food group member
the game is over once every group has 4 members representing a balanced meal

GAMES FOR THE CHRISTMAS THEME UNIT

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL GAMES

Escape the Grinch Game

Equipment - beanbags

children lineup on one side of the gymnasium (people of Whoville)
select 4-6 grinches to go into the middle of the gymnasium
Place beanbags (presents) on the other side of Whoville
the children are to pass by the grinches without being tagged. Once they are in the present safe zone they can collect the presents and bring them back to Whoville trying to avoid being captured by the grinches.
If a child is caught they must go into a designated safe zone and do assigned exercises (10 wall pushups, 10 jumps or 10 toe touches). Once they have done this they can continue to play the game.
the game is finished when all the gifts are in Whoville

Christmas Present Donation Race Game

Object of the game - who can collect the most presents to give to the less fortunate?

divide children into 4 teams, each with a hoop
place beanbags in their hoops
on the teacher's signal they are to race about getting a gift from another hoop to add to their own donation. The children are allowed to get only one present at a time .
At the end of a designated time period, see who has the largest donations