Develop Running Skills

Suggestions for activities that can promote the development of running skills.

1-10 years
Group size: 1+
Duration: 15 min
Alternative physical activities
Mountains, forests and fields
Gym / Sports hall
Open space
Indoor

Activities that develop running skills will simultaneously strengthen balance, coordination, and often also spatial and directional awareness, as well as stamina.

Suggestions for activities that can promote running skills:

Walk at different tempos: normal pace, very slow pace, walk with gradually increasing speed.
Movement games to music: walk in a circle, walk from place to place, 'long, long line' (a type of follow-the-leader), march to music, 'All My Children, Come Home' (a traditional chase game), slalom walking between cones, 'The Shark is Coming' (a tag variant), tag/chase.
Walk and run on different surfaces

Create an obstacle course with elements such as walking, running, jumping, turns, and small ascents/negotiations.