5 Simple Team Building PE Games for KS1 & KS2 (and Why They Matter!)

5 Simple Team Building PE Games for KS1 & KS2 (and Why They Matter!)

 Team building may conjure thoughts of school staff training days. However, it’s incredibly important for children as well. In fact, team-building PE games are a brilliant way to help young pupils develop essential life skills in a fun and active environment.

 Whether planning your next physical education team-building games session or looking for quick activities to build class rapport, these games encourage communication, cooperation, and confidence, all while getting kids moving.

 Here are five simple and engaging physical education team-building games perfect for KS1 and KS2:

1. Pirate Shipwreck

What you need: A gymnastic mat and a range of available PE equipment.

Set up a Pirate Shipwreck with lots of treasure to rescue. Putting children into groups of 3 or 4, they must try to work together to rescue the equipment. They cannot go into the sea, but they can use any retrieved equipment to help them rescue more items of treasure.

There are some suggested equipment ideas on the diagram, but you can use equipment you have available in your PE cupboard.

2. Parachute Games

What you need: A large parachute, range of soft balls.

Depending on the space and parachutes available, spread the children around one or two parachutes and work through the following games:

• Waves - Making waves with the parachute. Encourage lots of different types of movement. Can the children make big waves, small waves, high, low, choppy and calm waves? Can the children think of any other types of waves they can make?
• Balls - Place a soft ball on the parachute; first, children should make waves but try to keep the ball on. Can you work through the variety of waves above whilst keeping the ball on the parachute? How long can you keep the ball on the parachute? Can you beat that time? Next play, try to get the ball off the parachute.

3. Shark Infested Waters

What you need: Hoops/gym mats and a range of small PE equipment.

Split the class into groups of 8-10. This challenge can be played in 2 different ways.

1. Give every pupil a floor spot/small hoop OR
2. Give each group 3 gym mats (will not work with the very heavy gym mats).

Task: The group must start behind the line with their equipment and move everyone to the other side of the room behind the finish line without touching the ground.

Rule: They must retrieve all their equipment from the shark-infested waters and put it behind the line to be finished.

4. Sheep Pen Challenge

What you need: Blindfolds, gym mats, whistles.

Set Up

• Split the class into four groups of 7/8. Each group appoints one person to be the shepherd
• Each group has a mat, which is their sheep pen
• Each group has 10 minutes of preparation time to decide how they will communicate and practice this
• Reiterate that there is no verbal communication

Rules

• The task is for the shepherd to herd the sheep in the pen using whistle/claps—they may not speak to or touch the ‘sheep’
• The sheep will be blindfolded and on their hands and knees
• The shepherd may not walk around
• Sheep must not remove their blindfolds

5. Newspaper Carry

What you need: Newspapers/large sheets of paper, beanbags, balls

 This activity is performed in pairs. The objective is for the children to hold the newspaper between themselves and balance the bean bag/ball on top. The children should then move out, round the cone before them, and back to the start position.

Why Team Building Games Matter in PE

 Physical education team-building games are a great way to help children grow beyond the school environment. Team-building PE games are a great way to develop a wide range of skills in children. These include:

1.        Developing social and communication skills

2.        Learning to share, take turns, and support each other

3.        Building confidence and a sense of belonging

4.        Enhancing physical and mental resilience

 Whether planning an indoor PE lesson or heading outside, these team games are easy to adapt, require minimal equipment and keep children engaged and learning through structured physical activity and exploration.

For more ideas on team-building activities, check out our free Reception Cooperate & Solve Problems and Year 6 OAA lesson plans.