Games & Activities

When introducing (or expanding) an intramural program into your elementary or secondary school, choosing activities for students to play is an important aspect in ensuring the program’s success. The activities outlined below possess qualities that make them ideal for including in your intramural program. The activities are:

• Fun
• Active
• Competitive
• Inclusive of all skill/athletic levels
• Safe for students of all ages
• Low organizational because they require very little equipment and/or set-up, have few rules, and can accommodate a large number of players.

Below, you will find a grid to help you select the best games for your students’ age group and skill level. However, please note that most of the activities described here can easily be modified to suit different age groups and their respective skill level.

You will also find a list of resources at the end of this document.

Sports and Adapted Sports Activities

Basketball (adapted)

European Handball

Floor Hockey

Indoor Soccer

Soccer-Baseball (Kickball)

Touch Football (adapted)

Volleyball (adapted)

Games

Classic

Capture the Flag

Dodgeball

Flickerball

Frog Hunt

Keep Away

Scrambled Eggs

Team Ball

Cultural Games From All Over the World

Cheetah, Cheetal

Palm Ball

Tlachli

Sports and Adapted Sport Activities

Basketball (adapted)

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 5 players. Substitutions should be made.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 basketball, 2 basketball nets placed at either end of a basketball court.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score points by shooting the ball into the net of the opposing team. One basket receives two points.

The Play: The game begins with a jump-ball in the middle of the court. The team who wins the jump-ball becomes the offensive team. Players may advance the ball up the court by dribbling the basketball with one hand or by passing to a teammate. Once a player has stopped dribbling, he/she may not start dribbling again – he/she must pass the ball. A player is not allowed to run with the ball; otherwise the ball is turned over to the defensive team. Similarly, when a ball is passed out of bounds by one team, the other team gets possession of the ball at the sideline. When a point is scored, the defensive team becomes the offence and works their way up the court. The game is non-contact, but players may defend by trying to intercept or block a successful pass.

Variation: Bucketball is a game played similar to basketball, but points are scored by shooting the ball into a basket or bucket placed on the floor at either end of the court. The ball must stay into the basket to count. Changing the basket to a hockey net will make this game equally different.

Skills: Running, catching, throwing, teamwork, communication.

European Handball

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 7 players (1 goalie and 6 court players). Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 soft ball, about the size of a cantaloupe melon, 2 nets (for example, hockey nets), a gymnasium or outdoor rectangular field.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score in the opponent’s net by throwing the ball into the net, past the goaltender.

The Play: The play starts off with a jump-ball (2 opponents jump for the upwards thrown ball – whoever maintains possession of the ball becomes the offence). The offensive players work the ball up the court by passing to teammates. Players may take up to 3 steps with the ball; otherwise they must dribble or pass the ball to move it up the court. Defensive players may not contact offensive players, but defend by trying to block or intercept a pass. An incomplete pass results in the ball being turned over to the defensive team. When a team has scored, the defensive team gets possession of the ball and becomes the offensive team.

Variation: Play with different balls (beach ball for younger students, a volleyball for older students), or introduce a second ball to change the speed of the game.

Skills: Catching, throwing, teamwork, communication.

Floor Hockey

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 6 players (1 goalie and 5 court players). Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 ball, hockey sticks, goggles, 2 nets placed at each end, played indoors in a gymnasium. Equipment should be provided for the goalie (pads, mask)

Objective: The objective of the game is to score by shooting the ball into the opponent’s net.

Game Play: A face-off at the centre of the court is the start of the game. The ball must be dribbled with the stick or passed up to team members in order to score on the opponent’s net. Defensive players attempt to strip the ball away from offensive players using their sticks. Other than this, there is no contact between players. When a team scores, the ball is placed in the centre of the court and the defensive team becomes the offensive team.

Variations: To make the game more challenging, turn the nets so that the inside of the net is facing the wall. To score, players must shoot the ball off the wall so that it deflects into the net. No goaltender is required.

Skills: Running, strategy, teamwork, communication.

Indoor Soccer

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 6 players (1 goaltender and 5 court players). Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 soccer ball (or a soft ball for younger players), 2 designated goals (made with cones or wall markings), played in a gymnasium.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score on the opponent’s goal.

The Play: The ball starts off in the centre of the court. A coin-toss determines which team begins offensively with the ball. By dribbling and passing (i.e. kicking) the ball, players advance the ball up the field in attempt to score. Defensive players may try to intercept passes or steal the ball from offensive players. When one team kicks the ball is kicked out of bounds (as determined by intramural leader) by one team, the other team receives the ball on the sideline. Indoors, players may strategically use the walls of the gymnasium. Hands and arms are not permitted to touch the ball. If this occurs, the ball is turned over to the defensive team.

Variations: The size and “softness” of the ball, as well as the size of the goal, may be changed to reflect various skill levels.

Skills: Running, kicking, teamwork, communication.

Soccer-Baseball (Kickball )

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 10-15 players per team

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 ball (soft soccer ball), 4 “bases” (taped regions on the ground, mats placed on ground, or whatever else designates 4 special areas), played in the gymnasium or outside on a baseball diamond or field.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score points by kicking the ball, then running around all bases to return to home plate. One point is scored for every striker that makes it around all the bases.

The Play: A pitcher rolls the ball on the ground to a striker who kicks the ball within the designated playing area (its often fun to have a 360 degree playing field, as long as it is safe to do so.) When the striker has kicked the ball, he/she runs around the bases as far as possible without being struck out. The defensive team can strike out a striker by catching their kick without it hitting the ground, reaching the base with the ball before the striker arrives, or tagging the player with the ball (much like in baseball). Depending on the age and skill level of players, allow the entire offensive team to strike the ball and then switch, or allow 3 (or more) “strikes” before switching. In either case, keep track of points.

Variation: Change the ball, the number of players on the field, or the distance between bases for an easier or more challenging game.

Skills: Running, catching, throwing, kicking.

Touch Football (adapted)

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 10-15 players, but can be played with less or more.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 football (regular size or smaller), preferably played outside on a rectangular field for safety reasons. Designate a half-field line and two goal zones at either end.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score as many points (touchdowns) as possible within a limited time period (set by the intramural leader). A point is scored when the football is passed or run into the opponent’s goal zone.

The Play: Place the ball in the middle of the field. Line up both teams on either side of the ball. One member of the offensive team passes the ball back to their quarterback who either (a) throws the ball to a receiver (who runs towards the goal line for a touchdown) or (b) runs down to try to get a touchdown him/herself. The quarterback is given 10 seconds to throw or run the ball before the defensive players are allowed to tag him/her. Similarly, once the ball is thrown to a receiver, defensive players try to tag the player with the ball. When a player is tagged, or a pass is incomplete, the ball returns to where it started. The offensive team gets 3 or 4 attempts at traveling a certain distance up the field (determined by the intramural leader – could be 10 yards, a quarter of the field, or the entire length of the field). If the team is successful in scoring, the ball is placed in the middle again. If the team is not successful in scoring, the ball is placed in the middle and the defensive team turns to offense.

Variation: Experiment with the number of players, the size of the field, and the size of the ball for different levels of difficulty. The game should remain non-contact (i.e. no tackling) for obvious safety reasons.

Skills: running, throwing, catching, strategy, teamwork, communication.

Volleyball (adapted)

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of up to 10-15 players. At least 6 players/team should be on the court at one time.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 ball (beach ball, volleyball, soft ball), 1 net (a volleyball net or a rope hung across the gymnasium like a clothesline), played indoors on a pre-determined court outdoors.

Objective: The objective of this game is to score points on your opponent by sending the ball over the net to their side without them being able to pass the ball back over. One point is scored every time this occurs.

The Play: One team starts off with the ball. One player serves (or throws) the ball over the net to the other side (depending on players’ skill levels). The defensive team now has 3 (or more, as determined by the intramural leader) hits to attempt to return the ball. Players cannot catch the ball, rather, must hit the ball, usually with the hands and forearms. If the team does not return the ball, the point goes to the offensive team, who serves again. If the team returns the ball, play continues as a rally until one team scores.

Variations: Different balls, different number of players on the court, and different number of hits (4-6) before having to return the ball makes this game easily adapted for students of all age/skill levels.

Skills: jumping, teamwork, communication.

Games

Classic

Capture the Flag

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 10 or so players/team

Equipment/Set-Up: 2 pieces of material to use as flags, played outside or in a gymnasium, with a clear centre line drawn across the playing field.

Objective: The objective of this game is to find and bring back the other team’s flag, and avoid your own flag being taken.

The Play: Each team selects a location for hiding their flag. In a gymnasium, this may be underneath boxes that have been provided, or in one corner of the gym. Players try to cross the centre line to steal the opposing team’s flag, but without getting tagged by their opponents. If a player is tagged, they are taken to the team’s jail, and can only be freed by a member of their team who “rescues” them. Both players must make it back safely to their side. Players cannot cross the centre line to tag players. There is a “safety zone” around each flag where players cannot be tagged. When a flag is found, the player must bring it back to his/her own side without being tagged. He/she cannot pass the flag.

Variations: Rather than use a flag, use several bean bags. Teams must try to capture the beanbags, and retrieve their own back.

Skills: Running, strategy, teamwork, communication.

Dodgeball

Age of Players: Grades 4-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 10-15 players

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 or more soft balls, played in gymnasium, with clear centre line.

Objective: The objective of the game is to eliminate players from the other team by hitting them with the soft ball (below the waist) and to avoid being eliminated.

The Play: Each team begins against the wall of its respective side. The ball (or balls, for a variation of the game) is placed in the centre of the court. On GO, each team tries to get the ball. Once a team possesses the ball, the player has 5-10 seconds to throw, or roll, the ball at someone on the opposite team. If the ball hits that person, he/she is out. If he/she catches the ball without it hitting the ground, the thrower is out. After 5-10 seconds, if the thrower has not thrown the ball, he/she is out. The game is over when all players from one team are out.

Variations: Players who are out may return to the game in a “prison break”, whereby a member of their team frees them by throwing the ball into a designated net (usually the basketball net on the opponent’s side). As well, players who are ‘out’ may stand on the boundaries of the playing field and be released back into the game by getting an opponent out. As a final variation, when playing in the gymnasium, it may be possible to use the walls to strategically bounce the ball off.

Skills: Catching, throwing, strategy.

Flickerball

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 5 players. Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 football, 2 goals (basketball nets make great goals), played on a gymnasium court.

Objective: The objective of the game is to get as many points as possible by shooting the football into the basket. Points are awarded as follows: 1 point for hitting the backboard, 2 points for hitting the rim, and 3 points for getting the ball through the net. Any combination of the above are possible (ex: off the backboard, off the rim and into the net is 6 points).

The Play: The ball begins in the middle of the court with a jump-ball. The offensive team who wins the jump shot advances the ball by passing forward only. No body contact is allowed. The defensive team may attempt to block or intercept a pass. When a team scores, or when a team attempts to score but doesn’t, the ball is turned over to the defensive team.

Variations: Older players may play on scooter boards, or with a second ball (football or other type) to make the game more challenging.

Skills: Running, catching, throwing, teamwork, communication.

Frog Hunt

Age of Players: Grades 1-3

Number of Players: 2 teams with up to 10 players/team.

Equipment/Set-Up: The game is played in a gymnasium, with an area marked off to be the “pond”.

Objective: The objective of the game is to capture all players on opposing team.

The Play: One team becomes “frogs”, and the other team, “fish”. The game starts with the fish on one side of the gymnasium, and frogs on the other. When the instructor says GO, fish try to tag the frogs. When a frog is tagged, he/she is escorted to the pond. If the fish is tagged by a different frog before escorting the first frog to the pond, the first frog goes free, and the fish is sent to the pond. In order for the fish or frogs to be freed from the pond, they must trade places with a captured frog or fish, respectively. One team wins when all players of the opposite team are captured. This results in 1 point. Teams may play as many games as possible in a given time period. If at the end of a time period, no team has won, the team with more captured players wins the different of points between the two teams up to a total of 9 points (for example, if the fish have 12 players and the frogs have 8, the fish win 4 points).

Variations: Frogs may only be allowed to frog jump, while the fish cannot talk. Any type limitation on the mobility or ability to communicate will make the game more challenging.

Skills: Running, jumping, teamwork.

Keep Away

Age of Players: Grades 1-6

Number of Players: 2 teams of 8-10 players

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 ball, played outside or indoors in a gymnasium

Objective: Teams try to accumulate the most passes without being intercepted by the defensive team. Five complete passes to five different players in a row results in one point.

The Play: The game begins in the middle of the court with a jump-ball. The offensive team then tries to complete 5 passes, using 5 different players, counting aloud. After a point is scored, the ball then gets thrown up for another jump-ball in that new location on the court. Again, the offensive team tries to complete 5 passes. Defensive players may attempt to intercept passes, but no contact is allowed. Any incomplete pass is a turnover for the other team, and the count returns to zero.

Variations: Use different balls (i.e. beach balls, table tennis balls, footballs), or introduce more than one ball at a time. Changing the criteria for getting a point (i.e. so that the entire team has to receive a pass for a point) will also make the game more or less challenging.

Skills: Running, catching, throwing, strategy, teamwork, communication.

Scrambled Eggs

Age of Players: Grades 1-3

Number of Players: 2 teams of 10 or so players (more or less is fine)

Equipment/Set-Up: As many balls of different types as you would like, as well as bean bags or other such items, played in a gymnasium.

Objective: The objective of the game is to get all the balls over to the other end of the gymnasium. The team that succeeds in this task wins the points (1 point per ball). If this does not occur, then the team is scored according to how many balls they have placed on the other side of the gymnasium.

The Play: Players stand on their respective sides, with all the balls placed in the middle of the court. On GO, the players try to kick or push the balls to the other end of the gymnasium. Different balls are more or less difficult to push to the other side. A heavy medicine ball may need to be pushed, whereas a soccer ball can be kicked. Each team is both offense and defense, trying to score and prevent the other team from scoring. When a ball has reached the opponent’s zone, it cannot be removed, however, defensive players must prevent the ball from entering their zone. At the end of a given time period, the team with the least balls on their side wins.

Variation: Use different balls, or introduce different skills and equipment. For example, have a floor hockey ball that must be shot into a net with a hockey stick, or a balloon that cannot touch the floor.

Skills: Kicking, strategy, teamwork, communication.

Team Ball

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 5-7 players. Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 ball, goal zones marked at each end of the playing field, played indoors in gymnasium, or outside on field.

Objective: The objective of the game is to score a point on the opposing team by passing the ball to a player who is inside the opposing team’s goal zone.

The Play: The play begins with the ball in one team’s goal zone, as determined by the coin toss. The offensive team may only move the ball by passing it to members of their team. Passes may be forward, backwards or lateral. The person with the ball cannot move with the ball. Defensive players may try to intercept a pass, but there is no contact allowed. If a pass is incomplete, the ball is turned over to the defensive team. When a point has been scored, the offensive team remains in the goal zone, and the defensive team runs down the field to the other goal zone so that the teams have switched sides. The winning team remains the offensive team.

Variations: If you exchange the ball for a Frisbee, the game becomes Ultimate Frisbee. This is better suited for outdoors, and with older students. Switching the ball to a larger ball may be more suitable for younger group of students. Also – changing the size and relative position of the goal zones makes for an interesting variation.

Skills: Running, catching, throwing, teamwork.

Cultural Games From Around the World

Cheetah, Cheetal

Place of Origin: India

Age of Players: Grades 1-3

Number of Players: 2 teams of 5-10 players, 1 caller.

Equipment/Set-Up: This is played in a gymnasium, or a bounded area outside.

Objective: the objective of the game is to try to tag all members of the opposite team

The Play: One team becomes the “cheetahs” and one team is the “cheetals”. Both teams stand back-to-back at the centre line. The caller, the prince or princess of India, stands in the middle of the court and calls out either “cheetah” or “cheetal”, trying to surprise the groups (seeing as they sound very similar). The team that is called must turn and chase the other team players back to their baseline. Any player that is tagged joins the other team. After a certain amount of time, the team with the most players (original and tagged) wins.

Variations: Any two words that sound similar may be used.

Skills: Running, teamwork.

Palm Ball

Place of Origin: Italy

Age of Players: Grades 1-8

Number of Players: 2 teams of 1-2 players/team. Substitutions should be made to accommodate larger teams and allow entire team to participate.

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 tennis ball (or other bouncy rubbery ball, any size), played in a gymnasium, on a badminton-sized court, with a centre line drawn.

Objective: The objective of this game is to hit the ball down into the opponent’s side of the court such that they cannot return the ball, it goes out of bounds, or bounces more than once before they return the ball. Each time this occurs, a point is scored.

The Play: One player starts the play by serving the ball to the other player’s side of the court. The ball is struck with the palm of the hand. When a player scores a point, they serve again. If the point is lost, the other player gets the point and the serve. The game ends when one player reaches 5 points (this is determined by intramural leader). At this point, two new members of the two different teams play each other. This can also be played with 2-on-2 (doubles). The team at the end of a designated amount of time with the most wins (i.e. points) wins the match.

Variations: Use different sized balls to change the difficulty of the game. For example, use a volleyball, a basketball, or a lighter playground rubber ball for a faster or slower game. Another variation is to the point system. For example, with smaller teams, the first to 10, 15 or 20 points wins. For larger teams, ensure that every team member gets the chance to play an opponent.

Skills: strategy.

Tlachtli (adapted)

Place of Origin: Mexico

Age of Players: Grades 1-12

Number of Players: 2 teams of 5-15 players

Equipment/Set-Up: 1 beach ball, 1 basket or garbage can placed at one end of the field, played indoors or outdoors

Objective: The objective is to be the first team to score a certain number of points (as determined by the intramural). A point is scored when a team successfully gets the ball into their basket.

The Play: The game starts with a jump-ball in the end of the field without the goal. The team that wins the jump-ball then tries to pass the ball towards their goal (basket or garbage can) without using their hands (every other body part is okay) and without letting the ball hit the ground. If the ball hits the ground, the other team takes over and tries to get it into the same goal. When a point is scored, the ball returns to the other end for another jump ball. For older students, the team that does not have possession of the ball can attempt to intercept a pass without using their hands to gain possession of the ball.

Variations: Different balls may be used as players become more experienced and skilled, or else the goals may change. For example, rather than have a basket, an area could be designated as the goal, with a goaltender. These variations tend to increase the level of difficulty of this game.

Skills: Catching, throwing, kicking, teamwork.

Resources

Kasser, Susan L. Inclusive Games:  Movement Fun for Everyone! Champaign, IL: Human
Kinetics, 1995.

Loeffelbein, Robert L. The Recreation Handbook: 342 Games and Other Activities for Teams and Individuals. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1992.

Orlando, Louise. The Multicultural Game Book: More than 70 Traditional Games from 30 Countries. New York: Scholastic, 1993.

Pérez, Eulàlia. 100 Best Games. Barron, 2000.

Sobel, Jeffrey. Everybody Wins: 393 Non-Competitive Games for Young Children. New York, NY: Walker and Company, 1986.

Taggar, Sam, & Williamson, Susan. Great Games: Old & New, Indoor/Outdoor, Travel, Board, Ball & Word. Williamson, 2004.

Compiled and Written By: Lisanne Doré University of Toronto

From Loeffelbein (1992)

Adapted from Kasser (1995)

Adapted from Tagger & Williamson (2004)

Adapted from Taggar & Williamson (2004)

Adapted from Loeffelbein (1992)

Adapted from Loeffelbein (1992)

Adapted from Pérez (2000)

Adapted from Loeffelbein (1992)

Adapted from Loeffelbein (1992)

Adapted from Orlando (1993)

Adapted from Orlando (1993)

Adapted from Taggar & Williamson (2004)