“Summer”… What summer??? Is it just us, or does the lovely weather fly by? Cold, gloomy days can really affect us all, particularly children, but the PE Planning team will not allow bad weather to cast dark clouds over Physical Education!

This blog post offers some rainy days PE activities as well as advice for dealing with PE challenges such as lessons outdoors and less hall space, but also how teachers can check on their children’s mental health during the colder darker days.

What if outdoor PE is not possible?

Some schools struggle for space when the weather is bad.  Indoor break and lunchtime can impact on hall availability, as well as restricting that crucial opportunity for children to run around, let out some steam, and keep behavior as it should.

Yes it’s challenging, but please please please do not cancel PE!!  The PE Planning website has so many PE activities for limited spaces.

For those with some hall space, think about delivering your dance or gymnastics Units in periods of bad weather, these sports can easily be adapted to suit smaller spaces, but also lead to a final performance that could be presented to the school, or even parents!

What if the school hall can’t be used for PE?

For teachers with no hall space at all, check out our classroom PE activities.  This area is packed full of Pre-K PE lesson plans, Kindergarten PE lesson plans and Elementary School PE lesson plans from fun games for keeping children actively engaged to fitness sessions for burning up reserve calories, there’s so much that can be done without leaving your classroom.

Rainy days PE activities – advice if you do go outside!

Some schools insist on PE whatever the weather!  Fabulous for showing children resilience and a ‘can-do’ attitude.  But plan carefully for outdoor rainy days PE activities.  The ground can be slippery and children can get cold very quickly.  Think about activities that don’t rely on turning at speed, but activities that do keep ALL children moving.  We recommend sports such as running and handball. Keep discussions to a minimum and conduct introductions and plenaries in the classroom.  If you plan to play an invasion game like handball, set up various courts so teams do not have to wait for their turn to play.  For outdoor PE, also remind parents about outdoor PE kit, spare jumpers, socks and shoes.

Sometimes it is so tempting to use your PE time for other important topics, especially as the weather is bad.  But think about what all children do as soon as they are given space and time… they run!  This is an instinctive act of releasing built-up energy, using newly developed muscles and feeling happy.  And, it is crucial.

Why PE is so important – especially during bad weather

There is so much evidence that poor weather, darkness and inactivity can affect children’s mental health.  That’s why we feel it is imperative that PE goes on!

To help you check on your children’s mental health, our Mental Health and Wellbeing activities give teachers the opportunity to assess the mental health of their students, and deliver activities that alleviate stress.  Most of these activities can be delivered in small spaces, indoor or outdoor, and are highly recommended regardless of your children’s mental wellbeing.

We hope you manage the current challenges of school life and enjoy this time in school watching the excitement grow as Christmas gets closer!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for tips and free resources to help with your Physical Education – and rainy days PE activities!