Mini Olympic Games for Grade 1 & 2

The Olympic Games provide children with an opportunity to learn about different sports, what it means to demonstrate good sportsmanship and the importance of physical fitness. From running a mini-marathon to playing a game of soccer, there are a variety of Olympic Games that can be adapted for children to put their physical fitness to the test.

  1. Mini-Marathon

    • A fun Olympic game for children in grades 1 and 2 is a mini-marathon for kids. A mini-marathon course can be a couple of laps around the playground or track, or one lap around a school building. Before starting the race, plan to discuss the real distance that is run in an Olympic marathon and inform the children of the number of laps they would have to complete on their mini-marathon course to run an entire marathon. To start the race, have all the children line up behind a line and use a whistle to indicate the start of the race. Keep the focus on completing the course and encourage children who finish early to cheer for classmates still on the course.

    Mini Relay

    • The Olympic Track and Field Events consist of a 4- by 100-meter race. This relay race can easily be adapted for children in first and second grades by making it a 4- by 10-meter relay. Show the children how a relay race is run by providing them with a brief demonstration and instructions. Split the children up into teams of four. On a track or playground area, divide each team up so the children are all standing 10 meters apart. Provide a baton to the first runner of each team. Blow a whistle to start the race. As each runner finishes his part, the baton is passed to the next runner. The first team to cross the finish line wins.

    Soccer

    • Soccer can easily be adapted to become a mini Olympic game for children in first and second grades. Divide children into teams. Place soccer goals on a soccer field set up to be 15 yards wide by 20 yards long. Let teams play against each other for five minutes. Once the game is finished two new teams take the field. Encourage children who are not playing to cheer for both teams playing.

    Rhythmic Gymnastics

    • For this mini Olympic game, students can use a long piece of ribbon to dance across the gym floor or playground. Before starting the game, demonstrate to children the ways the ribbon can be manipulated to move throughout the air. Break students up into groups of four to six children per group. Assign a set of children to be judges who will select the winning rhythmic gymnast in each round. Judges will judge the performance on creativity and the ability to keep the ribbon flowing through the air. One group will perform at a time with one winner declared in each group.

    Balance Beam Challenge

    • Encourage first and second graders to test their balance skills with this balance beam challenge. Children can take turns hopping or walking across a balance beam on the playground. The object of the game is to get across the beam without losing balance or falling off. Before starting the game, provide some facts about the balance beam used in the Olympic Games.