Younger children really enjoy games using a parachute. It's a versatile tool, several games can be adapted and modified once the children learn how to handle the parachute. A great introduction to the game is first stretching and warming up muscles. Model arm circles and leg stretches. Each student should grab a section of the parachute, each section is marked by a specific color. The students will work together moving their arms up and down to control the parachute. It should lift gracefully in the air and slowly make its way down. Explain to the students that when you call a color, any student holding that particular color must dash beneath the parachute as it is lifted in the air and find an empty space. Tell students to be careful not to bump into one another. Ensure that all students follow PE safety rules.
Younger students love to play tag. It is great activity for getting students moving. It helps students to understand personal space and become aware of their surroundings. This is a game where you can select any animal, it can be a lion, tiger, or even a dragon. Select whatever you think would be the most exciting. Line up all the students on one end of the gym and select a dragon (or whatever you choose) to be "it." The dragon will pace in front of the students just a few feet away. Yell out, "Run, the dragon is going to get you!" The students should all try to run to the opposite end of the gym without getting tagged. If someone is tagged, they too become a dragon.
Second grade is a perfect time to introduce basketball skills and techniques. It will also help students to develop hand/eye coordination and hand control. Pass out basketballs to every student. Have them spread out across the gym, but make sure you stand where everyone can see you. Call out commands, "bounce with your right hand" or "bounce with your left." Once students have a hang of controlling the ball have them line up and walk while bouncing. Another option is to let students break into pairs and practice bouncing the ball to one another.
This is an excellent balancing activity. Have all students line up, one behind the other. They will hold on to one another's waist and walk like a snake. Students should do a mini trial run, just walking and slithering like a snake. Explain to students that the person at the front of the line will be the head of the snake. That person will get a small bean bag and place it on the center of their head. The snake will walk together until the head of the snake drops the bean bag. The bean bag stays on the ground until the person at the end of the line passes it. Then he or she will snatch the bean bag and dash to the front of the line. Now he or she will be the head of the snake. Continue till everyone had a chance to be the head of the snake.