Minds On

Games

There are many different types of games played all over the world.

Here are some examples of games you may have played before:

  • freeze tag
  • monkey in the middle
  • hopscotch
  • four square
  • red light, green light

Children standing in the four corners of a chalk square divided into quarters. They are all facing the centre of the square and bouncing a ball into each other’s quarters.

Children on a tennis court practising a serving pose. Stretching their arms out wide, each child is holding a tennis ball above their head in front of them and a tennis racquet at shoulder height behind them. Their eyes are focusing on the tennis balls they are holding.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Choose any game or activity that you enjoy, then answer the following questions.

  • Why do you enjoy this game or activity?
  • What are the rules and the goal of this game or activity?
  • What equipment is needed for this game or activity?

If possible, discuss your ideas with a peer or adult. You can also record your ideas on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Action

Game components

Every game and activity has three main components that make them fun to play:

  • movement skills
  • rules and boundaries
  • fair play

We are now going to explore how these three components are part of every game and activity.

Let’s get warmed up!

Always be sure to do your safety checks before starting an activity.

Before you begin, check:

Safety

Before you begin:

Warm Up

Robot hops warm up

Warmups are simple activities that slowly increase our heart rate and get our muscles and joints ready!

Let’s warm up with robot hops.

  • Stand or sit up straight.
  • Hop or shift to right foot or side. Raise left arm up and relax right arm down.
  • Hop or shift to left foot or side. Raise right arm up and relax left arm down.
  • Repeat 20 times.
  • Optional: Challenge yourself by turning your head left and right while switching sides.

Movement skills

Movement skills are a main component of physical activities.

Every game involves movement skills to play and to achieve a goal.

Some movement skills are used in many games, while other movement skills might be unique to just one game.

Explore the following table of movement skills used in different physical activities:

Climbing

Crawling

Hopping

Jumping

Leaping

Marching

Rolling

Running

Shuffling

Skipping

Walking

Wheeling

Which of the previous movement skills are you confident doing?

  • Which movement skill is your favourite? Why?

If possible, share your answers with a peer or adult. You can also record your answers on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.

Rules and boundaries

Rules and boundaries are a main component of physical activities.

Rules define the movements players can make, the equipment players can use, and the goals of the game. Boundaries help create a space for everyone to safely play the game.

Games can become confusing for players if there are no rules or if the boundaries are unclear.

Aerial view of a soccer field. A large rectangle is outlined on a field of grass. A small circle is outlined in the centre of the rectangle. A straight line is outlined across the centre of the rectangle and small circle widthwise. Two medium-sized semi-circles centred on the width-sides of the rectangle are outlined inward. Two nets are centered on the width-sides of the rectangle.

  • What are some common rules that you know of in games that you’ve played?

If possible, share your answers with a peer or adult. You can also record your answers on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.

Fair play

Fair play is a main component of physical activities.

Playing fairly means that everyone follows the rules of the game and that no one cheats. When playing a game, everyone should be honest when they break a rule.

We can also demonstrate fair play by sharing equipment, taking turns, respecting each other, and using kind language.

Which game component?

For each scenario, select the corresponding game component that it involves.

Let’s play!

We are now going to play games that involve movement skills, rules and boundaries, and fair play.

Knock it off game

A child throwing a bean bag at a ball balancing on a pylon.

Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.

Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!

  • 1 soft ball or object that can be thrown safely
  • 1 smaller object
  • 1 plastic cup, pylon, box, or water bottle

  1. If possible, move to an open space and set up a cup, pylon, box, or water bottle at a distance.
  2. Place your smaller object on the cup, pylon, box, or water bottle. This is your target.
  3. Move to your starting point and toss your soft object at the target.
  4. If you don’t knock the target off, demonstrate a locomotor movement of your choice for 30 seconds, then try again. For each attempt, try a different locomotor movement.
    If you do knock the target over, move your starting point farther away from the target.
  5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 until you have hit the target from three different distances.

Press ‘Components’ to access a list of the components involved in the Knock It Off game.

Knock It Off Game Components

Movement Skills

tossing

locomotor movements of your choice

Rules and Boundaries

demonstrate a different locomotor movement for 30 seconds every time you miss the target

move farther away from the target when you knock it over

Fair Play

follow the rules

take turns if playing with a partner

Clean up game

A child crawling on the ground carrying a roll of tape toward a hula hoop.

Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.

Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!

  • 7 soft objects that can be thrown safely
  • 3 bins, hula hoops, or boxes
  • a timer

  1. If possible, move to an open space and spread out your soft objects on the ground.
  2. Place your bins, hula hoops, or boxes at the other end of the activity area. These are your targets.
  3. Move to your starting point and set your timer for 25 seconds.
  4. Demonstrate a locomotor movement of your choice as you pick up a soft object and carry it to one of your targets. You are only allowed to carry one object at a time.
  5. If your 25 seconds are up before you reach a target, drop your object and move back to the starting point to try again. For each attempt, try a different locomotor movement.
  6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until all objects have been collected.

Pause and Reflect

Time to reflect

When you are finished with the Knock It Off and Clean Up games, reflect on the following questions:

  1. What movement skills did you practise?
  2. Why is it important to know the components of an activity before participating?
  3. How does knowing a game’s rules and boundaries help you to play?
  4. If you were to play these games with a partner, what could you change to demonstrate fair play?

Record your ideas on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.

Cool Down

Arm swings cool down

We’re now going to cool down with arm swings.

Remember to take slow and deep breaths as you allow the heart rate to return to a normal pace.

  1. If possible, slowly move around a clear area while swinging your arms back-and-forth for 1 minute.
  2. Now, slowly move around while swinging your arms in front of your body for 1 minute.
  1. Finally, slowly move around while swinging your arms over your head for 1 minute.

Consolidation

Let’s review!

We are now going to review our knowledge of game components.

Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.

My game

Now it’s your turn to create a game.

Complete the My Game activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

My Game
My Game

Create a game by recording answers to the following questions.

If you need help, review the game components from this learning activity.

1) What are the rules of your game?

2) What are the boundaries for your game?

3) What are the movement skills involved in playing your game?

4) Optional: What equipment is required to play your game?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Game Activity. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

When you are finished creating your game, set it up in a safe environment and then try it yourself!

Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!

If possible, share your game with a peer or adult and play it with them.

Have fun!

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.