Christmas PE Games for the Last Week of Term
The last week of term before Christmas… It’s a time full of excitement, energy and joyful chaos!
For a primary school teacher or PE coordinator, this can be both a challenge and a wonderful opportunity to engage children in fun activities that let them burn off that extra festive energy.
So, as is tradition now at PE Planning at this time of year, we’re sharing some fun Christmas PE games. For more inspiration, check out our blog post Christmas PE activities for primary schools as well as Christmas fitness games for a fun festive wind-down.
And if you’re after structured PE lesson planning ideas throughout the year, don’t forget to check out our full range of PE lesson plans.
Now – let’s grab those Santa hats and dive into our Christmas PE games for the last week of term!
1. Present Pass
A Christmas spin off of our ‘Commando Caterpillar Game – lively team relay that’s simple and energetic! Divide classes into small teams. Each team forms a single file line. Place one large soft ‘present’ (a foam block, a beanbag wrapped in coloured paper, or a festive ball) at the front of each line.
On your signal, the first pupil scoots the present under their legs to the back of the line, where the next pupil pulls it up and continues. Teams continue passing the present down the line in this way until the whole team has had a turn. The first team to finish wins! Next play the game passing the present sideways, twisting at the hips.
Why it’s a great Christmas PE game:
Present Pass improves coordination and teamwork. It’s also brilliant for warming up large groups – but also exciting and festive!
2. Decorate the Tree
Divide the class into teams – maybe five per team. One player stands at the opposite end of the playing area, as the ‘Christmas tree.’ Scatter a variety of small objects (beanbags, coloured balls, soft shapes, hoops, even Christmas decorations/tinsel if available) around the middle of the area. On “go,” one child from each team runs to collect one object at a time and places it on the ‘tree’.
The tree must try to keep balanced. Play for two minutes and award points for every piece of ‘decoration’ balanced on the tree at the end of the round. Swap Christmas trees roles.
To make it more challenging, assign different objects with different point values: small might be 1 point, medium 2 points and large 3 points, 5 points for the team which looks most like a Christmas tree. Encourage children to help each other and work together.
Why it’s a great Christmas PE game:
Decorate the tree encourages strategic thinking, cooperative play and agility.
3. Elves’ Workshop Shuffle
Divide the class into two teams and mark a central zone to act as the ‘elves’ workshop.’ On one side place a pile of small equipment items (e.g. beanbags, cones, quoits, balls), and on the opposite end place empty boxes or hoops.
On your signal, one child at a time runs from their line to the workshop, picks up one item, and places it in their team’s collection box before returning. Once all items are collected, teams then work together to ‘build toys’ by stacking or arranging the items in a creative structure within a time limit.
Why it’s a great Christmas PE game:
This activity keeps children active, promotes teamwork, and can spark imaginative, festive play!
4. Grinch Chase
This active tag variant is perfect for burning off energy before the break! Choose one child to be the ‘Grinch.’ The rest of the group start on a line opposite them. Each child chooses a Christmas theme item… Santa, Rudolph or Frosty Snowman.
Each round the Grinch calls out a Christmas character and they must make it to the opposite end of the area without being tug by the Grinch. If they make it, they wait for the next round. If they are tug, they become a ‘mini Grinch’ and help the Grinch tag the rest of the characters.
Why it’s a great Christmas PE game:
This is an energetic activity, that might be a great way to kick off your Christmas PE games, or wrap them up!
Wrap-up thoughts
Wrapping up the term with Christmas PE games doesn’t have to be chaotic. But we think it should be festive, active and filled with laughter! By mixing simple relays, balance challenges and teamwork activities, you can create lessons that keep children engaged while celebrating the season.
For more inspiration throughout the year (whether festive or otherwise!) don’t forget to explore PE Planning’s wide range of lesson plans. You can sign up for PE lesson plans here – or get a sneak peak by signing up for a free membership!
A big thank you to everyone this year – whether you are subscribed to PE Planning, considering signing up, or you just like to read our blog posts. Wishing you a joyful last week of term and a very Merry Christmas, from everyone at PE Planning!
