Tumbling and gymnastics using recycled resources can be fun for children of all ages and skill levels.
Tumble Day, or Gymnastics Day, is a time for physical education students to have fun while learning new forms of movement. Using recycled resources for Tumble Day activities has the double impact of promoting physical activity as well as environmental awareness. With a bit of imagination, educators can reuse recyclable materials to make hours of educational enjoyment for their students.
Tire Balance Beam
Old tires are perfect for making obstacle courses.
Old tires are always handy for physical education classes, whether they're used for hopscotch or stood upright to make tunnels. Tires can also be laid close together on their sides and used like a balance beam. Increase the intensity by declaring that crocodiles are lurking beneath each tire -- so don't fall in!
Paratroopers
Old bedsheets can be used for team-building games such as Paratroopers. In this game, students hold two bedsheets taut in a circle. One ball at a time is dropped onto the first bedsheet. The object of the game is for the students to work cooperatively to launch the balls into the air and onto the second bedsheet. When seven balls have been transferred to the second sheet, the game is over.
Cardboard Box Cavern
Children can think of a million ways to use cardboard boxes for fun.
Cardboard boxes are possibly the most versatile recyclables for children to play with. Boxes can be taped together to create tunnels and mazes to explore. They can also be cut apart and laid flat to use as mats for games such as Twister, or marked out to help students measure how far they can jump.
Bubble Wrap Minefield
Set up an obstacle course with pieces of bubble wrap scattered on the floor. The objective is for students to navigate the obstacle course without stepping on any of the bubble wrap. When a "pop" is heard, the student running the obstacle course must return to the start, or go to a "safety zone" along the path, and proceed again from there. Add an extra challenge by requiring students to move through the obstacle course by a means other than normal walking, such as somersaulting or crab walking (walking on all fours but belly up).
Log Roll
A big cable spool like this one, with cable removed, is perfect for the log roll activity.
Students stand in the center of a large, emptied cable spool turned on its side and try to remain upright for as long as possible. This balance activity should be done on a mat in case a student falls. Other students should stand back in case the spool rolls.
Springboard Mattresses
Children love to jump on beds, so bringing this excitement to gym class will keep them engaged and entertained.
Old mattresses (that have been thoroughly cleaned) can be used for tumbling mats, springboards and trampolines. Students can run up a foam ramp and vault off stacked mattresses, landing on a mat or other soft surface.
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