15 Fun Invasion Games for Gym Class

Invasion Games for Gym Class

If you’re like most PE teachers you’re probably always looking for fun games to play in the gym. Games that keep the kids interested, especially when they’re in elementary school might be more difficult than when they’re older.

That’s why we thought you might want to try at least 1 of the following 15 fun invasion games for gym class.

Most of these games can be modified to fit the age groups of your students. They are all easy and fun to play, and we assure you that your students will be begging to play these games again in the future.

#1 Speedball

This game is a combination of three games in one; basketball, soccer, and team handball and it might be a better choice for middle to high school aged children.

Equipment

  • Basketball court
  • Soccer ball or handball

Setup

  • Divide students into two teams
  • Teams should split up on each side of the middle line on the playing field

Game Play

The game begins when the ball is freely thrown onto the middle of the playing field. When the ball is on the ground it becomes a soccer ball and can only be kicked up to the teammates.

If a ball is caught, it then becomes a handball and is treated as such, either by throwing it to another player or tossing it into the basketball hoop thus treating it as though it is a basketball.

Once a player has the ball in his or her possession he or she can only keep it for three seconds before releasing it to a teammate.

The player with the ball in his or her possession may also take no more than three steps upon releasing the ball or it will be cause for a penalty.

Scoring

Just like in basketball, there are four quarters in Speedball and each team is allowed three timeouts per game.

  • Score 1- point when the player makes a goal with a handball throw from outside the 3-point line.
  • Score 2- points when the player makes a goal with a soccer kick from inside the 3-point line.
  • Score 3- points when the player makes a basketball shot from inside the key.

#2 Guard the Pin

invasion games for kids

This game variation is best for elementary aged children and should be played in a large area. It can be played with either a large or small group of students.

Equipment

  • Bowling pins
  • Small “bowling” balls
  • Spots for each pin to sit on

Setup

  • Divide students into teams
  • Each team should be provided with one pin, a ball, and one spot for their pin
  • Set a time limit for gameplay

Game Play

Once setup is complete, each team should stand around as guards to their pin. They should then take turns trying to knock down their opponent’s pin.

While they’re busy trying to knock down the pin, the other team should try and guard the pin by stopping the ball, rolling it back with their hands, etc. to keep their pin standing.

When a ball is stopped on the ground it becomes a free territory and may be stolen from any other player, but only one team at a time should be rolling the ball to knock down a pin.

Once a team’s pin has been knocked down, everyone on that team should do a task such as a certain number of jumping jack’s before standing the pin and getting back into the game.

Scoring

There is no scoring in this game, but when the time is up, the kids can all move to another place on the field and the time can be set once again for another round.

This game is great for exercise and perfect practice for eye-hand coordination as well.

#3 Matball Game

This game is played much like kickball or baseball and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages and grades.

Equipment

  • Four mats for the bases
  • Kickball

Setup

  • Divide the students up into two teams
  • Place the bases around the field just like you would in kickball or baseball
  • Make a designated spot for the kicker and one for the pitcher

Game Play

One team leads off as the kicking team while the other will play outfield. The first kicker will kick the ball and run to the first mat before getting tagged with the ball.

Once the player is safe on the mat the next kicker will kick the ball and run for the mat.

There is no rule that says the players must run from the mat each time the ball is kicked; therefore, it doesn’t matter how many people occupy the mat at one time, but points will only be scored when players run home safely.

A player is out when the ball is caught by an outfielder or an outfielder tags the player with the ball while he is not on the mat. An outfielder can only tag a runner with the ball from the waist down for it to be a legal out.

Scoring

Scoring is the same as in kickball or baseball, but it can be modified for the age groups who are participating. You can choose to play a certain amount of innings or just set a time limit.

  • Score 1-point with every run safely back to home base
  • The kicking team will be out when the outfield catches a ball in the air before it hits the ground or when a player is legally tagged with the ball.
  • Once the kicking team gets 3 outs, the players switch sides.

Get more games that involve kicking.

#4 Sharks and Minnows Game

This game not only has many names, but it also has many variations. We are going to introduce you to one of the easier game variations so that it can be played by younger children in the elementary grades.

Equipment

  • Cones to mark the playing field

Setup

  • Using the cones, mark off the playing area making two lines in the middle of the field for one team to stand at least an arms length away from each other
  • Use the cones to mark off an end zone at each end of the playing field
  • Divide the students into two teams

Game Play

One team will be the sharks and the other team will be the minnows. The sharks will be the attackers, so they will stand in the two middle rows of the playing field.

All the minnows will then stand at one end of the playing field. The sharks will only be allowed to move from side to side on their lines. One minnow will start to run across the field trying to avoid being tagged by a shark.

If the runner makes it to the end zone without getting tagged he or she will be considered safe, but if the runner gets tagged, then he or she will fall into the line and become a shark.

Scoring

Play continues with one runner at a time until everyone has had a turn. The safe runners will be the winners.

The teams should trade places so that everyone has a chance to run. There are no official points in this game, but it is a lot of fun and exercise.

The students will also be learning about following rules and coordination.

#5 Ultimate Handball

This game can be altered for your age group, but this variation will work best with elementary aged students.

Equipment

  • Two buckets full of balls
  • Two empty buckets

Setup

  • Place one bucket full of balls and one empty bucket beside it at each end of the playing field
  • Divide the students into two teams

Game Play

The object is to work as a team and get as many balls into the empty basket on the other side of the field as possible.

One team can serve the ball like in volleyball or the coach can throw out the first ball, it will depend on the age group of the students playing.

The team members will then throw the ball to each other until they get the ball in the empty basket at the opposite end of the field.

When a player is holding the ball, they cannot walk or run but only pivot on one foot to find another player to throw it to.

If a player drops the ball they should hurry and pick it up because a member from the other team can then steal it giving the opposite team an opportunity to score.

The team who gets the ball in the basket should then toss out another ball from the full bin. Once the balls have all been used, the game is over.

Scoring

The team who gets the most balls in the basket wins the game.

#6 Corner Ball Game

invasion games

This is a fun team game like soccer that can be played with students from grades 2 through 8.

Equipment

  • Four benches
  • Soccer ball

Setup

  • Place benches upside down in each of the four corners of the playing field
  • Ask each student to count off into four even teams

Game Play

Each team should split up and stand behind their designated bench. The coach will then start the play by throwing out the ball and calling out a number.

Each team member with the corresponding number should enter the playing field. It will then be the team members job to kick the ball to the goal (the bench) to score a point for their team.

The losing teams should complete a task such as hopping on one foot before the game begins again.

Scoring

The play will continue until the time is up or the designated number of points have been met. The coach can also choose to call out more than one team number at a time for larger groups.

#7 Prison Ball Game

This game sounds like dodgeball and can be enjoyed by everyone at any grade level.

Equipment

  • A large playing field
  • Several foam balls

Setup

  • Divide students into two teams
  • Mark off an end zone at each end of the playing field

Game Play

Played much like dodgeball, several balls are flying across the field at the same time. The team members try to avoid getting hit with the ball while trying to hit members of the opposite team at the same time.

If a player gets hit, he or she must go to jail on the opposite teams’ side which is the designated area in the end zones. The only way out of jail is to catch a ball that lands in jail and hit a player on the opposite team with it.

A player can only throw a ball at another player from the waist down, anything above will be an illegal hit and the player who throws it will automatically get sent to jail.

Scoring

There is no scoring in this game, but it can be timed, or you can play until everyone has been to jail at least once.

#8 Capture The Flag

invasion games

The most popular invasion game for kids we can think of. The simple goal of the game is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your team’s base.

Equipment

  • Large area to run around
  • 2 flags in different colors. One flag for each team
  • Chalk or rope to create the ” Jail “
  • Glowing vests in different colors for each team

Setup

  • Divide kids into two groups
  • Each team has it’s own flag and vests to tell the difference between the teams
  • Each team starts from their own area

Gameplay 

The goal is to steal the other team’s flag and bring it back safely to your playing area. Each team starts the game from their own side.

Whenever a player enters the opponent area, he or she can be tagged and being taken out of the game.

When a player is tagged, he is either frozen, or put into the team jail. To unfrozen a player, another player from his team needs to tag him.

If your teammate has the flag while trying to unfreeze you, he has to choose between the flag or freeing you.

The game ends when a player steals the other team’s flag and goes back safely to his own area. They are the winners.

Scoring

Each time a team wins, you can count that as 1, and keep playing until a team reaches 5 or 10 depending on how much time you want to play.

#9 Attack and Defend

A very simple game to play that works on agility, movement and having so much fun in between.

Equipment

  • Ball or cone
  • Enough area to run around

Setup

  • 2 players ( this is a 1 on 1 game )
  • Place the ball/cone on the floor
  • One player is the attacker, and the other the defender

Gameplay

After deciding who is the defender and who is the attacker, the defender stands with his back to the cone or ball. The other player who is the attacker needs to touch the ball or cone without being tagged by the defender.

Scoring

Every time the attacker reaches the ball you can count a point, and switch the roles and play again. And don’t forget to have fun.

#10 Pirate Invasion

This is a fun team sport played by two groups. The goal is to invade the other team area and steal as many coins ( tennis balls ) as possible before getting tagged.

Equipment

  • As many tennis balls as possible
  • A group of kids, ideally at least 10 overall
  • A large enough area to run

Set up 

Divide the area into two places. Have the kids divide into two large groups standing in opposite sides of the playing area.

Place the tennis balls at random places around the two areas.

Gameplay

When the whistle blows, the two teams need to run to the opposite side of the area and grab as many balls as they can before being tagged by an opposite team member.

When everyone has been tagged or the balls run out, we see which team has more balls in hand.

Scoring

Either score as a group, the team with more balls, wins. Or score individually.

#11 Pass and invade

invasion games

This is a cool team game for kids that already know how to pass and catch the ball. Invade and pass is a fun, funny game kids can play together with teams of 2 or more on each side.

Equipment 

  • At least 4 kids
  • 1 ball
  • Area big enough to run and jump

Set up

  • Each group has its own shirt color or vest
  • The team that starts has the ball first

Gameplay 

The team with the ball start. The goal is to pass the ball between the same team members without the opposite team catching it or knocking it away first.

You can run around the playing area and do what ever you can without physically touching other players to either defend or pass the ball.

Scoring

Each time a pass is completed successfully, it’s 1 score. When the opposite team knocks the ball, their turn is starting. You can time the game for like 10 minutes, and at the end of the time the team with the most successful passes win.

#12 Invasion Hockey!

invasion games

This is a fun game for older students as it takes much more force and coordination to play. Think about ice hockey without the ice, or skates. It’s a lot of fun.

Equipment

  • Sliding seats or wheels
  • small hockey sticks
  • a ball
  • two mattresses that can act as goals

Set up 

  • Each team has 4 players and a goalie
  • Two goals opposite sides of the field

Gameplay

The rules are similar to hockey only without any restrictions. Meaning the kids can only move while sliding the seats and can’t stand up, they need to pass the ball between the team and try and score a goal

Scoring

Each goal counts as 1 point. The game is over when the time is up.

#13 Flasket ball

A game like football on a basketball court? What? Yes that’s a weird but fun little game for groups of 10 kids.

Equipment

  • Basketball court
  • 1 football
  • 10 kids total

Set up 

Each team of 5 stand next to its own basket with the football in the middle of the court

1 kid from each team comes to the middle and do rock paper scissors to decide who gets to start

Game play 

The team who won will receive the ball from the initial throw, once they catch the ball, they can only pass it to one another, without running or moving.

The opposite team tries to defend. They need to pass the ball until they try and make a basket. If the ball drops on the floor, it is the other team turn to try. pretty simply.

Scoring

Each basket is 1 point. At the end of the time, or a determined final score. The team wins.

#14 Little Slappers

little slappers invasion game

This is a tough game, I tell you that right from the start, it requires skills and quickness and flexibility too. But if you play this for like 5 minutes, you are going to be tired and happy.

Equipment

  • No equipment needed

Set up

Two players standing in front of each other. You can either set a playing field or let them play with no boundaries

Game play 

Each player needs to slap the other player behind the knee. This specific place makes it very hard to reach and also hard to defend. If the game is played within a boundary, the players are not allowed to go outside of it.

Scoring

Each successful slap equals 1 point.

#15 Castle protecter

invasion games - castle protector

A fun game of team work that can be played in lower grades as well. Try and steal the treasure from the castle, and the protectors try to keep it safe, who will win? Let’s play and see.

Equipment

  • Hula hoops
  • Small balls or items
  • Gym court or basketball court

Set up

  • Place all the small balls inside the middle circle of the court
  • Place 4 hula hoops in each corner of the court
  • Each team of 4 players stand by the corner
  • In the middle of the court you have 3 or 4 protectors

Gameplay

When the whistle starts, each corner team tries to steal a ball from the middle circle, while the protectors try to tag them. If a player has been tagged, it must go back and touch his corner hula hoop before trying again.

If a player has a ball in hand when tagged, he must first return the ball into the center before running back to his corner.

Scoring 

The team with the most balls at the end of the game wins.

There you have it, 7 fun invasion games for gym class. Need more ideas? Learn how to play Gaga Ball. We also have plenty of other fun gym games and activities.

What are the best invasion games for gym class? We list out 7. These games are not only entertaining, they will provide a great deal of exercise.

A collection of fun invasion games for gym class. This is a great way to entertain and exercise.