• 22 games
  • Checked October 2026

Throwing Games for PE

Underhand, overhand, catching and rolling games in numbered steps, sorted by skill, with nothing thrown at a player.

Throwing Games for PE

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  1. Three Zones: Call Near, Middle or Far1. An overhand throw to a distance you choose. Mark three zones across a field or a long gym with cones: near, middle and far.2. Before each throw, the thrower calls a zone, then throws a soft ball overhand from behind the line.3. A partner standing outside the zones watches the first bounce. A bounce in the called zone scores one.4. Take five throws each, then swap. Everyone throws the same way, and balls are fetched on the teacher's call.Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: cones and a soft ball for each pair.
  2. Thump the Mat: Step Back After Every Hit1. An overhand throw at a target too big to miss. Stand a folded mat on its edge against a wall. Throwers line up side by side on a line four steps away.2. Throw a soft ball overhand at the mat, as hard as you can. A hit makes a thump.3. After a hit, take one step back for the next throw. After a miss, stay where you are.4. Everyone throws on the teacher's call and fetches on the next call, so nobody walks in front of a throw.Ages: 6 to 9. Players: 2 to 24. You need: a folding mat for every six throwers and a soft ball each.
  3. Moving Target: Throw Through the Rolling Hoop1. A throw at a target that moves. Throwers stand side by side behind a line with a foam ball each. A roller stands at one end, six steps in front of the line and off to the side.2. The roller sends a hoop rolling on its edge across the front of the throwers.3. Everyone throws, trying to put the ball through the hoop while it rolls. Nobody stands on the far side.4. A ball through the hoop scores one. Fetch when the hoop has stopped, and change the roller after five rolls.Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 4 to 24. You need: a hoop and a foam ball for each thrower.

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Underhand toss games 5

  • Call a Color, Toss to That Hoop 1. An underhand tossing game with a target that changes. Each group of four lays four hoops of different colors in a ring, three steps from a center spot. 2. One child stands on the spot with a basket of soft balls. The teacher calls a color. 3. The tosser turns and tosses one ball underhand to land in that hoop. The others stand behind the hoops and call "in" or "out". 4. After five calls, the next child takes the spot. Count the group's hits and try to beat them next time around. Ages: 5 to 7. Players: 4 to 32. You need: four colored hoops and five soft balls for each group.
  • Feet in the Hoop: Toss So Your Partner Never Steps Out 1. An underhand toss to a partner who may not move. One partner stands with both feet inside a hoop. The other stands behind a line three steps away with a soft ball. 2. Toss underhand so that the partner can catch it without lifting a foot out of the hoop. 3. A catch with both feet in scores one for the pair. After five tosses, swap places. 4. When a pair scores four out of five, the tosser's line moves one step back. Ages: 5 to 8. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a hoop and a soft ball for each pair.
  • Swing and Let Go: Toss Through a Hoop Your Partner Holds 1. An underhand toss through a target with a hole in it. One partner holds a hoop out to the side at arm's length and stands clear of it. The tosser stands three steps away. 2. Swing the arm back and through, and let the ball go toward the middle of the hoop. 3. The holder fetches the ball and hands it back. Swap jobs after five tosses. 4. A pair with three through the hoop in a row holds it higher, lower or one step farther away. Ages: 5 to 8. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a hoop and a yarn ball for each pair.
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Underhand toss games, continued

  • Tic-Tac-Toe Toss: Three Hoops in a Row 1. Tic-tac-toe played with tosses. Lay nine hoops in a square of three by three. Two teams line up behind a line four steps away, one with red yarn balls and one with blue. 2. Teams take turns. A player tosses one ball underhand at any hoop. 3. A ball that stops inside an empty hoop claims it. A ball that rolls out, or lands in a claimed hoop, is taken away. 4. Three hoops in a row wins. Fetch the balls between games only. With a full class, lay out four boards. Ages: 6 to 9. Players: 4 to 32. You need: nine hoops and ten yarn balls in each of two colors for each board.
  • Wall Shapes: Call It, Then Hit It 1. An underhand toss at a wall. Tape three large paper shapes to a wall at chest height: a circle, a square and a triangle. Tossers stand on a line three steps back. 2. Say a shape aloud, then toss a yarn ball underhand to hit it. 3. A hit on the shape you called scores one. A hit on another shape scores nothing. 4. After three hits, step back to the next line. Everyone fetches together when the teacher calls "collect". Ages: 5 to 8. Players: 2 to 30. You need: paper shapes, tape and a yarn ball for each child.

Overhand throwing at targets 6

  • Box Tower: Knock It Down, Build It Up 1. An overhand team target. Each team of five stacks six empty cardboard boxes into a tower against a wall. Throwers stand behind a line five steps away with foam balls. 2. Three throwers throw overhand at their own team's tower. Two builders wait at the side. 3. When the whole tower is down, the throwers stop and call "build". The builders stack it again and step clear. 4. Count how many times the team knocks its tower down in three minutes. The builders change after each rebuild. Ages: 8 to 11. Players: 5 to 30. You need: six cardboard boxes for each team and foam balls.
  • Knock It Off the Cone 1. An overhand throw at a small target. Along a wall, each pair balances a light plastic ball on top of a tall cone. 2. The thrower stands behind a line five steps back and throws a foam ball overhand to knock the ball off without tipping the cone. 3. A clean knock scores two. A knock that tips the cone scores one. 4. Partners take turns: one throws while the other stands well to the side, then resets. Move the line back a step after three clean knocks. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a tall cone, a light ball to balance and a foam ball for each pair.
  • Moving Target: Throw Through the Rolling Hoop 1. A throw at a target that moves. Throwers stand side by side behind a line with a foam ball each. A roller stands at one end, six steps in front of the line and off to the side. 2. The roller sends a hoop rolling on its edge across the front of the throwers. 3. Everyone throws, trying to put the ball through the hoop while it rolls. Nobody stands on the far side. 4. A ball through the hoop scores one. Fetch when the hoop has stopped, and change the roller after five rolls. Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 4 to 24. You need: a hoop and a foam ball for each thrower.
  • Three Zones: Call Near, Middle or Far 1. An overhand throw to a distance you choose. Mark three zones across a field or a long gym with cones: near, middle and far. 2. Before each throw, the thrower calls a zone, then throws a soft ball overhand from behind the line. 3. A partner standing outside the zones watches the first bounce. A bounce in the called zone scores one. 4. Take five throws each, then swap. Everyone throws the same way, and balls are fetched on the teacher's call. Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: cones and a soft ball for each pair.
  • Thump the Mat: Step Back After Every Hit 1. An overhand throw at a target too big to miss. Stand a folded mat on its edge against a wall. Throwers line up side by side on a line four steps away. 2. Throw a soft ball overhand at the mat, as hard as you can. A hit makes a thump. 3. After a hit, take one step back for the next throw. After a miss, stay where you are. 4. Everyone throws on the teacher's call and fetches on the next call, so nobody walks in front of a throw. Ages: 6 to 9. Players: 2 to 24. You need: a folding mat for every six throwers and a soft ball each.
  • Wall Hoops: Low, Middle and High 1. An overhand target game with three heights. Tape three hoops to a wall: one at knee height, one at chest height and one as high as the teacher can reach. 2. From a line five steps back, throw a foam ball overhand to hit the wall inside a hoop. 3. Low scores one, middle two and high three. Each thrower gets five throws and adds them up. 4. Throw and fetch on the teacher's calls. A thrower who scores ten moves to a line two steps farther back. Ages: 8 to 11. Players: 2 to 24. You need: three hoops and tape for each wall station, and foam balls.

Catching games for PE 5

  • Roll, Scoop, Toss Back 1. A scoop game for a ball on the floor. Partners stand six steps apart, one with a ball and one with a scoop. 2. The roller rolls the ball along the floor, a little to one side. 3. The scooper moves to it, scoops it up without using the other hand and flicks it back through the air for the roller to catch. 4. After five, swap jobs. Count the pair's clean scoops out of ten, then roll a little faster. Ages: 7 to 11. Players: 2 to 30. You need: one scoop and one small soft ball for each pair.
  • Scoop Solo: Flick It Up, Catch It, Climb a Level 1. A scoop game for one. Each child has a scoop and a small soft ball in a space of their own. 2. Level one: flick the ball up to head height and catch it in the scoop. Five in a row moves you up. 3. Level two: let it bounce once, then catch it. Level three: flick it higher than you can reach. Level four: walk slowly while you flick and catch. 4. A drop keeps you on the same level. When the teacher calls stop, each child holds up fingers for the level reached. Ages: 6 to 11. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a scoop and a small soft ball each.
  • Scoop to Scoop: Partner Toss and Catch 1. A partner scoop toss and catch. Partners stand three steps apart, each with a plastic scoop, and share one small soft ball. 2. Flick the ball out of the scoop in a gentle arc. The partner catches it in the scoop, not with a hand. 3. Count the catches in a row. At three, both take one step back. 4. After a drop, stay at that distance and start the count again. Then try it with the scoop in the other hand. Ages: 6 to 11. Players: 2 to 30. You need: two scoops and a small soft ball for each pair.
  • Toss, Chase, Catch: Your Own Throw After One Bounce 1. A catching game on the move. Each child has a playground ball and stands on one side line. 2. Toss the ball underhand, up and forward. Run after it and catch it with two hands after one bounce. 3. Toss again from the place of the catch, and so cross the gym. 4. On the way back, catch it before it bounces. Count how few tosses a crossing takes. Ages: 6 to 9. Players: 2 to 30. You need: a playground ball each.
  • Two Balls at Once: The Swap Catch 1. A catching game for partners with a ball each. Partners face each other three steps apart. 2. On "one, two, three", both toss underhand at the same moment. They agree beforehand who tosses high and who tosses low, so that the balls pass each other. 3. Each catches the other's ball. Two catches score one for the pair. 4. Count ten tries. Then swap who tosses high, and take a step back after eight out of ten. Ages: 9 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: two soft balls for each pair.

PE rolling games 6

  • Crossing Balls: Hit the One That Is Rolling 1. A rolling game with a moving target. Rollers kneel side by side behind a line with a small ball each. A feeder stands at one end. 2. The feeder rolls a large ball slowly across the floor, four steps in front of the line. 3. Each roller rolls a small ball along the floor to hit the large one as it passes. Every ball stays on the floor. 4. A hit scores one. Everyone fetches together when the large ball has stopped. Change the feeder after five passes. Ages: 7 to 11. Players: 4 to 24. You need: one large ball and a small ball for each roller.
  • Guard the Gate: Roll It Past Your Partner 1. A rolling game for two, each with a gate to guard. Partners face each other six steps apart. Each kneels in front of a gate of two cones, three steps wide. 2. Take turns rolling one ball along the floor to send it through the other gate. 3. The guard stops it with the hands. A ball that leaves the floor does not count. 4. A ball through the gate scores one. Play to five, then make both gates a step wider. Ages: 7 to 11. Players: 2 to 30. You need: four cones and one soft ball for each pair.
  • Roll to the Rope: Nearest Ball Takes the End 1. A rolling game about how hard to push. Lay a rope across the floor eight steps from a start line. Two pairs play each other, with two balls for each player in the pair's color. 2. Players take turns rolling a ball along the floor to stop as near the rope as they can. A ball may knock another away. 3. When all eight have been rolled, only the pair with the nearest ball scores: one point for every ball of theirs that lies nearer the rope than the other pair's best. 4. Play five ends, and roll from the other side each time. Ages: 8 to 14. Players: 4 to 32. You need: a rope and eight small balls in two colors for each game.
  • Rolling Golf: Fewest Rolls Around Six Gates 1. A rolling course. Set six gates around the gym, each made of two cones a step apart, with a number beside each. 2. Each player rolls a ball by hand from a start spot toward gate one, then rolls again from wherever it stopped. 3. Count every roll. When the ball has passed through a gate, set off for the next. 4. Groups of three start at different gates, so nobody waits. The lowest count for all six gates wins, and a second lap is for beating your own. Ages: 7 to 14. Players: 2 to 30. You need: twelve cones, six number cards and a ball each.
  • Stay in the Lane: The Long Roll 1. A rolling game for distance. Mark a lane two steps wide down the length of the gym with tape or two ropes. 2. From the start line, roll a ball along the floor with one hand so that it travels as far as it can inside the lane. 3. A partner walks beside the lane and stands where the ball stopped or left the lane. 4. Each child takes three rolls and keeps the best. Then swap jobs. Four lanes side by side let eight play at once. Ages: 5 to 8. Players: 2 to 24. You need: tape or ropes for the lanes and a ball for each pair.
  • Stop It in the Square: Just Enough Push 1. A rolling game about a gentle push. Tape a square one step wide on the floor, five steps from a line. Each child has three small soft balls. 2. Roll a ball along the floor so that it stops inside the square. Too hard, and it rolls out the far side. 3. A ball that stays in scores one. A partner takes out each ball once it has stopped, so the square is always empty. 4. After three rolls, swap. When a child lands all three, the line moves back a step. Ages: 5 to 8. Players: 2 to 30. You need: tape and three small soft balls for each pair.

How this list was compiled: Our list for a gym class, sorted by the skill each game practises. The wording, the ages and the player counts are ours. Nothing is thrown at a player: every target is a wall, a hoop, a box, a cone or a partner's hands, and where a line throws together the steps say when to throw and when to fetch. Balls are yarn, foam or soft rubber. Checked on 12 October 2026 at Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by the name): Educational stage, for the ages of each United States grade. Licence: own work

How it works

These PE games for throwing and catching use yarn, foam or soft rubber balls. Targets are walls, hoops, mats, cones, boxes and a partner's hands.

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Where the other games are

The page opens on Overhand throwing at targets: the simple PE games for overhand throwing are Thump the Mat and Wall Hoops. The menu under the button holds Underhand toss games, written for ages 5 to 9, Catching games for PE and PE rolling games.

Throw together, fetch together

Where a whole line throws at once, the steps say when to throw and when to fetch, so nobody walks in front of a ball.

Questions and answers

Which underhand toss games for PE suit kindergarten?

Feet in the Hoop, Swing and Let Go, Call a Color and Wall Shapes are written from age 5 and use yarn or soft balls. Tic-Tac-Toe Toss starts at age 6.

What are good scoop games for PE?

Scoop to Scoop is a partner toss and catch, Scoop Solo is a ladder of four levels for one child, and Roll, Scoop, Toss Back lifts a rolling ball off the floor. All three use one small soft ball.

What are easy ball rolling games for PE?

Stay in the Lane and Stop It in the Square need only a ball and tape, and suit ages 5 to 8. Guard the Gate and Rolling Golf add cones for gates.

Which are the moving target PE games?

Moving Target sends a hoop rolling past a line of throwers, and Crossing Balls rolls a large ball past a line of rollers. In both, everyone aims from one side and fetches together.

What are throwing and catching games for 5th grade PE?

Fifth graders are 10 or 11. Two Balls at Once, Three Zones and Moving Target are written from age 9, and Box Tower and Knock It Off the Cone from age 8.

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