Summer is a great time to get students outdoors to enjoy their favorite sports. Besides their physical benefits, sports also provide opportunities to emphasize sportsmanship and attitudes. Need ideas to get students moving and breaking a sweat? Take a field trip to a schoolyard or park that has a track and challenge students to a variety of track and field activities.
Materials:
- Athletic shoes and clothing
- Stopwatch
- Measuring tape
- Masking tape
- Baton or stick
- Weighted/medicine ball
Instructions:
- Before starting any of the activities, remind students to drink lots of water and to take frequent breaks. Throughout the activities, deliver on-going “pep talks” about giving 100% and doing the best possible job to give all students a sense of accomplishment even if they don’t “win.”
- Long Jump: Mark a line on the track using masking tape. Taking a running start, have students jump as far as they can from the line (landing on their feet). Mark where their first foot lands and measure the distance using the measuring tape. The student with the farthest jump wins!
- Relay: Divide students into groups of four and spread them evenly around the track (every 100 meters) starting at the finish line. Then, give the first runners (leg) a baton or stick. On “Go,” have them run as fast as they can to pass the baton to the second leg, the second leg will run to pass it to the third leg and so on. The team whose last leg crosses the finish line first wins the relay!
- Shot Put: Mark a line on the track using masking tape. One at a time, have students throw a weighted ball as far as they can. Mark where the ball lands and measure the distance using the measuring tape. The student with the farthest throw wins!
- 100-Meter Dash: Have students line up at the 100-meter starting line (one person per lane). Using the stopwatch to time the race, have students run as fast as they can to the finish line. The student with the fastest time wins the race!
- 400-Meter Dash: Challenge students to a race that requires a little more endurance. Have students line up at the 400-meter starting line (one person per lane). On “Go,” have students run as fast as they can around the entire track - 400 meters. The student who finishes the race with the fastest time wins!
Track and field is a sport based on the skills of running, jumping and throwing. It strengthens muscles, builds endurance and teaches important skills like perseverance and resilience.
This activity was adapted from Summer Sizzlers & Magic Mondays: School-Age Theme Activities.
