Activities for Children That Involve Running and Throwing

The Centipede

• The Centipede is a group running activity consisting of four or more players. The New York Road Runners Foundation advocates this activity as a fun and healthy way for kids to develop essential motor skills. Arrange children in single file and give the first in line a baton or other leader̵7;s object. Instruct the kids to run slowly and in pace with one another, remaining in single file, in a large circle around a pool, a tree, a swing set or other backyard fixture. As the kids run, have them pass the baton back to the next player in line. Once the baton reaches the last player, he runs up to the front of the line and passes the baton back down the line again. This activity teaches running at a controlled pace, promotes body awareness and develops children's ability to control their bodies with purpose.

Bean Bag Toss

• This carnival-inspired game is simple to re-create in a backyard or playroom, and it promotes hand-eye coordination, motor skill development and other essential abilities associated with throwing gestures. Simply set an empty bucket, bowl or wastebasket down on the ground and use masking tape to create a foul line about four feet away from the receptacle. Give preschoolers a small bean bag and three chances to toss it into the receptacle. Make the game more challenging for older kids by using smaller receptacles set at further distances away from the players. Or, use multiple receptacles assigned with different point values to establish a winner at the end of the activity.

Relay Races

• Relay races are easy to customize to reflect the abilities and developmental needs of practically any age group. They also promote an array of developmental skills, such as agility and coordination. Split children up into two teams of even-numbered players. This activity works best with two teams of at least two players per team, of equal ability levels. Design a race course by establishing drop-off and pickup points at different backyard landmarks, such as the oak tree, the sandbox or the monkey bars. Avoid potentially hazardous spots, such as thorn bushes or swimming pools. Position runners from each team at the various starting, pickup and finishing points. Give the starting runners a baton to run to the players at the first pickup point, who will then run the baton to the next point and so on, until the last runners from each team reach the finish point. Make this activity more challenging for older children by replacing the baton with an uncooked egg or other delicate object to promote body awareness, finesse and fine motor movements.

Sports Drills

• Sports drills are an excellent activity for older elementary kids; choose ones that combine the skills used in both running and throwing activities. Conduct basketball drills by setting up players at opposite ends of an outdoor basketball court. Have the children take turns running down to the hoop with the ball, one at a time, while dribbling and then shooting the ball to try and make a basket. The next player in line will then grab the ball and dribble it back to the opposite end of the court, where another player is waiting to catch the ball and dribble it back to the other end of the court again. Conduct baseball drills by lining children up at a starting position. Throw a baseball or softball up into the air, several feet away from the starting point. Equip children with a catcher̵7;s glove and have them take turns running for the ball in an attempt to catch it and throw it back to you.