Pre-K and Kindergarten

• Challenge kindergartners to play a game of tag using cones. Place several different cones around the gym, then mark off a section in the middle of the cones. Assign three children to each of the cones and have several students sit in the middle as the "chasers." Call out a type of movement -- such as hopping on the right leg or frog jumps -- and students must use that movement to get to another cone. The chasers must also perform the same movement while trying to tag students before they reach a cone. Only three students are allowed at a cone at any one time.
  
  Another option is to provide stations for circuit training activities based on balance. Use a low beam or balance ball, or display a picture of the balancing activity children must practice at each station, such as standing on one leg.
  
  

Elementary

• Challenge teams of students to cross from one side of the gym to the other using two small mats. Tell children they must start over if any of the team members touch the gym floor. The fastest way to complete the exercise is for all the children to stand the first mat at the same time while placing a second mat in front of the first. This exercise builds cooperation and teamwork while also providing physical activity.
  
  Divide an older elementary class into groups of three for an aerobic bowling game. Place a spot marker on the start line and another spot marker 10 feet from the first spot. Set up two bowling pins 10 feet from the second spot. One student stands on each spot, and a third student stands by the pins. The student at the second spot tries to knock down the pins with a ball, then quickly runs to stand up any pins that were knocked down. The student at the first spot runs to the second spot, and the student originally by the pins retrieves the ball, runs it to the student at the second spot, then continues to the start line as play continues. Challenge students to knock down as many pins as possible in a set amount of time.
  
  

Middle School

• Show children various jump rope exercises and techniques. Once the children are familiar with the jump rope, task them to design an aerobic jump rope routine incorporating several different moves. Children can even create their own moves. Videotape each child performing the routine she designed, then let the class try all the routines using the video as an instructional guide.
  
  Create an indoor Olympic-style circuit training activity. Provide 10 to 15 stations in the gym, each with an activity similar to an event found at the Olympics. For example, children can throw a beanbag or weighted exercise ball for a shot-put activity, or perform the long jump using painter's tape to mark the start line and a padded mat on which to land.
  
  

High School

• Provide students with heart rate monitors, then challenge the students to perform various physical activities to determine which have the greatest impact upon heart rate. After studying the principles of exercise and optimum heart rate zones, instruct the students to design a work out which achieves these best practices.
  
  Play continuous football where every player may need to run, block or pass depending on who has the ball at any given time. This activity requires constant aerobic movement by all students. Teams of six to 12 students run with or pass a soft foam ball, attempting to get the it across the goal line. If the team scores a goal, or the ball hits the ground, the opposing team must immediately pick up the ball and run or pass it back across the field to try and score.