Create Your Own PE Game

Create Your Own PE Game – Are you a physical education teacher looking for a fun and creative end-of-year PE activity for your 4th-12th grade students?

Discover how to create your own PE game with this easy step-by-step group project that guides students through planning, teaching, and finally playing their own unique and fun games.

Create Your Own PE Game – Group Project

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 is on a mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!

This fun and engaging project-based learning activity is perfect for boosting teamwork, leadership, and physical activity.

Get ready to make your upcoming Physical Education classes engaging and unforgettable!

Create Your Own PE Game

FULL LESSON PLAN PDF

I love to teach this “Create Your Own PE Game” unit with my students near the end of the school year, once I’ve had an opportunity to expose them to several different tag and whole group physical education team games.

After teaching this unit for several years now, I believe the sweet spot for this project is 4th through 12th grade. However, I’ve done it with a few well-behaved 3rd grade classes and it’s gone really well -anything younger was pretty much a nightmare – LOL.

READY! SET! LET’S CREATE YOUR OWN PE GAME!

Depending on your class group size and how many groups you have, I like to complete this project in 3-5 class periods.

DAY #1: PLAN the Game

First, divide your students into small groups with three or four students in each group.

Sometimes I allow the kids to choose their own groups and other times I strategically choose the groups, placing at least one strong reader/writer in each group.

Then, review the assignment and rubric expectations with your students.

I say “Today, you are going to be working with your group members to brainstorm ideas and work together to create your own PE game.”

Create Your Own PE Game - Project Grading Rubric

Next, I pass out and go over the grading rubric with my students so that they are clear about the project expectations and how they can be successful with this group project.

I make this particular project worth 100 points and explain to my students that the point breakdown is as follows:

25 Points – We can work well together as a team to complete our project. We can get along and equally share the project responsibilities with all members of the group.
25 Points – We can neatly and fully complete the 2-Page Game Design Project Sheet.
25 Points – We can clearly explain the object of the game, set-up, and game directions to our classmates.
25 Points – We can create a fun WHOLE CLASS GAME that promotes physical fitness and encourages participation by ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASS.

You can grab my Project Grading Rubric RIGHT HERE.

Finally, give each group 25-35 minutes of class time to plan their physical education game. I like to give my students a 2-Page Game Planning Sheet that includes:

Group Member Names
Name of PE Game Idea
Focus Skill(s)
Game Equipment Needed
Diagram of Game Setup
How to Play the Game (Object of the game, Directions, and Rules)
Game Tips (including safety tips)

At the end of class on Day One, let the students know that each group must be prepared with their team members to present their game on Day Two.

*BONUS TEACHER TIP: On Day One when the students are first planning their fitness games, I like to slip the 2 page game plan sheet, back-to-back into a page protector and give each group a dry erase marker.

Once they have their entire game planned, then I give them a final copy of the paper to complete with pencil.

Create Your Own PE Game - Planning Sheet

You can grab my 2-Page Game Planning Guide RIGHT HERE.

DAYS 2-5: TEACH and PLAY the Game

Now, we get to the really fun part of this pe lesson project.

First, at the beginning of your physical education class, pass back the planning sheets and give all groups 5-7 minutes to review their particular game.

Then put all group names into a hat and randomly draw out two groups. Those groups will “Present and Play” on Day 2, meaning they will “become the pe teachers” and explain to their classmates how to play their game.

Next, they will gather all pieces of equipment needed and then actually play the game with their classmates.

Rainbow Soup Tag - Create Your Own PE Game Group Project

Finally, continue this same lesson plan (5-7 minutes to review at beginning of class, 2 groups “present and play”) for the next few days of class until all groups have taught and played their game.

Project Grading Teaching Tips

I usually don’t give an actual grade to my younger students when doing this project. Instead, I give them verbal teacher feedback.

Then, as a whole class, we reflect together on each group’s game immediately after playing it.

STARS and WISHES: I then allow the students to give STARS (Positive Comments – what they loved about the game) and WISHES (kind suggestions for possible game improvements) to the group members who created the game.

It’s a fun way for the students to improve critical thinking, communication skills and receive new ideas and constructive feedback about their games.

However, I do use this awesome activity as a graded assignment for my older 6th-12th grade students.

Teacher Grading Sheet - Create Your Own PE Project

I simply use this teacher grading sheet that matches up perfectly with the expectations found on the student rubric that I hand out to my students on the first day of the unit. You can grab my Teacher Grading Sheet RIGHT HERE.

*BONUS TEACHER TIP: I usually just fill out one grade rubric/feedback sheet per group. Then just make copies for each member of the group.

So, what are you waiting for? This is definitely one PE Teacher Resource YOU NEED for your upper elementary, middle school and high school PE classes.

If you are ready to teach the best CREATE YOUR OWN PE GAME unit with your PE students you can grab absolutely everything you need RIGHT HERE!

Create Your Own PE Game Group Project - Teacher Resource

Designing their own pe games is a great way for your students to improve social skills and practice problem solving.
Most importantly, just have fun and thoroughly enjoy this super fitness activity.

Oh, and be prepared to be blown away by how awesomely creative your students are going to be!

If you’re looking for more easy, fun, and super unique (not boring) physical education new game ideas and lesson plans, I’ve got a bunch more fitness activities for you.

How about a game of BULLSEYE BAGS (cornhole in the gym), CRAZY BALL SOCCER or an energizing and educational brain break game of CATCH & STACK?

Huge Physical Education Growing Bundle - PE Games and Teacher Resources

Grab your Physical Education HUGE GROWING BUNDLE Right Here!

Be sure to check out my other unique and fun Physical Education Resources for physical educators (Instant Funny Bulletin Board Kits, Fun Classroom Decor, Learning and PE Games) in my Love 2 Teach and Learn TPT store RIGHT HERE!