Warm-Up Games for Kids Running
A good warm-up gets children moving, listening and ready to run. Here are games that work for clubs, PE lessons and family runs.
Traffic Lights
Call out colours: Red = stop, Amber = jog, Green = sprint. Add Blue = hop for extra fun.
Equipment: Cones (optional) · Group: Whole class · Time: 5 min · Skills: Agility, reaction speed, listening
Stuck in the Mud
Two taggers try to freeze the class. Frozen pupils stand legs apart until a teammate crawls under to free them.
Equipment: Bibs for taggers · Group: 15–30 · Time: 6 min · Skills: Agility, dodging, teamwork
Cone Flip Relay
Half the class flips cones upright, the other half flips them down. After 60s, count the cones.
Equipment: 20+ cones · Group: 10–30 · Time: 5 min · Skills: Speed, bending, teamwork
Numbers Huddle
Pupils jog around the space. Shout a number — they form groups of exactly that size. Odd ones out do 5 star jumps.
Equipment: None · Group: Whole class · Time: 5 min · Skills: Listening, agility, social skills
Beanbag Bandits
Two teams race to collect beanbags from a central hoop into their own. Add a rule: can only carry one at a time.
Equipment: Beanbags, 3 hoops · Group: 10–30 · Time: 7 min · Skills: Sprinting, decision-making, teamwork
Mirror Movement
In pairs, one leads slow movements (arm circles, lunges, hops) and the partner mirrors them. Swap after 30s.
Equipment: None · Group: Pairs · Time: 4 min · Skills: Coordination, focus, mobility
Clap & Catch
Pupils throw a ball up, clap a set number of times, then catch. Increase claps each round.
Equipment: 1 ball per pupil/pair · Group: Any · Time: 5 min · Skills: Hand-eye coordination, focus
Sharks & Minnows
Minnows run from one safe zone to the other while 2 sharks try to tag them. Tagged pupils become seaweed (stuck but can tag).
Equipment: Cones for zones · Group: 15–30 · Time: 8 min · Skills: Sprinting, dodging, awareness
Animal Walks Relay
Teams race using a different animal walk each leg: bear crawl, crab walk, frog jump, bunny hop.
Equipment: Cones for markers · Group: Teams of 4–6 · Time: 6 min · Skills: Strength, coordination, teamwork
Reaction Drop
Teacher holds up a coloured cone and drops it — pupils sprint forward only when it touches the floor.
Equipment: Coloured cones · Group: Whole class · Time: 4 min · Skills: Reaction time, sprint starts
Want a fresh set every session?
The Warm Up and Cool Down Generator picks 5 warm-ups and 5 cool-downs at random, with filters for indoor, outdoor and no equipment.