ZOO STOP GO: Fun K-2 Field Day, Camp, PE Gym Game

Bring imagination and movement together with ZOO STOP GO – a Super Fun K-2 dramatic play activity that puts a fun twist on the classic game of Red Light, Green Light!

ZOO STOP GO

Young learners will have an absolute blast moving like zoo animals, freezing on cue, while practicing listening skills in a fun, low-prep dramatic play activity.

Perfect for primary PE lessons, classroom brain breaks, and camp games, this animal-themed movement game keeps kids active, engaged, and giggling from start to finish.

FULL LESSON PLAN PDF

In this post love2teachandlearn (Mrs. T.) will share every awesome detail related to how to play this incredible physical education game.

Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. (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 sports jokes and exercising while laughing with my students.

I’m also on a serious mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN and this physical education game is an awesome way to do just that!

READY! SET! LET’S PLAY!

Equipment Needed

For this game you will need:

STOP-GO PADDLE (This piece of equipment is technically optional but makes the game way more fun)
KIDS READY TO HAVE FUN

Simple Game Set-Up

FIRST, choose one student to be the “ZOOKEEPER” and give them the STOP-GO Paddle.

THEN, have the rest of the class line up on the opposite side of the gym on the baseline.

THAT’S IT! Easy Peasy!

How to Play – Game Directions

This game is very similar to RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT – just with an imaginative animal twist.

The ZOOKEEPER chooses what animal they want their classmates to become.

Students must try to make it from the opposite baseline across the gym to the ZOOKEEPER by moving and making the sounds that the chosen animal would make.

Meanwhile, the zookeeper is in charge of flipping the paddle back and forth, shouting “GO” and “STOP” to direct their movements.

The first student to reach the opposite baseline where the zookeeper is standing is the winner and becomes the new zookeeper.

All students go back to the opposite baseline and get ready for a new round. The new zookeeper chooses a new animal and the game repeats.

Game Tips

TIP #1: You can easily make your own STOP-GO PADDLE by taping the GO/STOP cutouts, included in my ZOO STOP-GO Lesson Plan, to a wooden table tennis paddle. Additionally, if you don’t have a paddle, you can simply glue a red construction paper circle to a green circle with a large craft stick in the middle.
TIP #2: I have a microphone that plugs into the speaker that I have in my gym. It is so much fun to let the ZOOKEEPER hold the STOP-GO Paddle in one hand and hold the microphone in their other while they do the calling. The kids ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

Game Over

Perfect for K-2 field day events, camp days, or gym class, this easy-to-teach game brings big energy, simple setup, and lots of laughter to every lesson.

ZOO STOP GO is such an incredible whole-class, small or large group activity that keeps everyone moving, spinning, dancing, building confidence, and most importantly, having a total blast.

And if you loved this cooperative game, be sure to check out FOOD WARS, LUCKY PIN, and FOOD FIGHT.

You’re elementary students will absolutely love these whole group, team PE activities too.

So, why not blast some “clean” and upbeat PE music and bring the excitement of ZOO STOP GO to your gymnasium TODAY!

Don’t Forget! You can snag your very own PDF of this awesome PE Game RIGHT HERE!