CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER: K-5 Underhand Throwing Team PE Relay Game
Level up your UNDERHAND THROWING unit with CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER– an awesome K-5 PE game that is perfect for physical education teachers, coaches, or substitute teachers.
This engaging, over-the-top fun, underhand throwing team relay game, focuses on key underhand throwing skills and it also incorporates other key skills including: teamwork, classroom community, and sportsmanship.
CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER – Underhand Throwing PE Game
I like to play this game with my PE students as a culmination to my underhand throwing unit after teaching the basic skills of underhand throwing. It works as a great underhand throwing skill assessment tool too.
This PE resource is designed for PE teachers to use during physical education class or Homeschool moms and/or coaches who want a fun activity to play during class, practice or an extra recess or learning break. It also makes an awesome camp, after school care or field day activity.
CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER
Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. (Love 2 Teach and Learn) or you can call me Jen – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) and K-12 PE teacher who has also taught Kindergarten, 3rd, and 6th grades.
I love teaching PE class because I get to spend time telling silly jokes and exercising while laughing with my students.
So, if you’re ready, I’m ready!
READY! SET! LET’S PLAY!
Equipment Needed
For this awesome game you will need:
- HULA HOOPS (20-30 is Best)
- BEAN BAGS (One Bean Bag for Each Relay Team)
- RUBBER CHICKENS (One Chicken for Each Relay Team)
Chicken Climbs the Ladder – Game Set-Up
FIRST, divide your class (depending on size) into 2, 3, or 4 relay teams and have them line up at one end of the gym.
THEN, give each team one colored bean bag and a rubber chicken.
FINALLY, line up an equal number of hula hoops (8-10 works good) in front of each relay team, making sure that the hoops are touching, end to end, and the “ladder” length is equal.
How to Play: Chicken Climbs the Ladder
OBJECT OF THE GAME – Get your Chicken to the Top of the Ladder FIRST!
When the game begins, the first person in line for each team will underhand throw the bean bag, trying to get it to land in the first hoop in front of them.
- If they MISS, they simply pick up the bean bag, run it back, give it to the next person on their team, and go to the end of the line.
- If the bean bag successfully lands inside the hula hoop, they place their rubber chicken inside the hoop, grab the bean bag, and quickly give it to the next team member in line – remind students that if the hoops moved at all during their throw, they should quickly straighten them up before giving the bean bag to the next person in line.
- The next thrower must throw the bean bag into the next hoop on the ladder – you can’t skip hoops.
*The game continues until one team gets their rubber chicken to the last hoop or the top of the ladder and they WIN THE RELAY RACE!
Bonus Game Teaching Tips
TIP 1: Your class size will determine how many relay teams you have. This game works best if you keep your relay teams between 4-6 kids.
TIP 2: Depending on age, grade, and skill level, adjust the number of hoops (less for younger kids, more for older kids) to meet those needs and ensure kids feel successful with their underhand throwing.
TIP 3: Before playing, decide whether a bean bag that lands on top of a hula hoop will be a successful throw or not – I usually say “YES, IT COUNTS”
TIP 4: If you don’t have rubber chickens you can simply use any stuffed animal or fun object that you have and change the name of the game to “____” Climbs the Ladder.
TIP 5: You absolutely must play THE CHICKEN DANCE song when playing this game. I like the version by #1 Party Band best. You can check it out RIGHT HERE.
Just have tons of fun with this awesome game!
The Final Whistle
This Underhand Throwing PE Game really is tons of fun!
Chicken Climbs the Ladder is Ideal for Kindergarten PE through fifth grade physical education students.
It’s such a great whole-class team activity that keeps everyone throwing, learning, and most importantly, having a total blast.
And if you loved this underhand throwing game, be sure to check out BULLSEYE BAGS (cornhole in the gym), MONEY DOTS, and HUNGRY MONSTERS. You’re students will absolutely love these underhand throwing PE activities too.
So, why not blast some “clean” and upbeat PE music and bring the excitement of CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER to your gymnasium TODAY!
Don’t Forget! You can snag your very own PDF of this awesome CHICKEN CLIMBS THE LADDER PE Game RIGHT HERE.
It’s also a very easy lesson plan to leave for a substitute teacher. Just print off, gather the equipment and you’re good to go.
Mrs. T’s K-5 PE GAMES “Always Growing” BUNDLE
And if you want the absolute BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK, Chicken Climbs the Ladder, is also included in my “ALWAYS GROWING” K-5 PE Game BUNDLE too!
You can snag my Physical Education HUGE GROWING BUNDLE Right Here!
Hey – Thanks so much for stopping by today to check out my Chicken Climbs the Ladder game.
I really appreciate it and I hope that you have a TRULY BLESSED And BEAUTIFUL Day filled with plenty of FUN and FITNESS!
Be sure to check out my other unique and fun PE Gym Resources and Games in my Love 2 Teach and Learn TPT store RIGHT HERE!
