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5 Fun PE Starter Activities to Get to Know Your Class in September

As September rolls in and students return from summer holidays, one of the challenges for PE teachers is quickly building rapport with a new class. The first few lessons are crucial for setting expectations, establishing routines, and most importantly, getting to know your students.

Engaging starter activities not only break the ice but also give you valuable insight into your pupils’ confidence, coordination, and communication skills. Here are five fun, inclusive game ideas to help you learn names, encourage teamwork, and get students moving:

1. Who’s Who Throw

A classic with a twist — perfect for learning names and sparking conversation.

Core: Students stand in a circle. One student starts by gently tossing a foam ball to another while saying their own name and sharing a fun fact — for example, “I’m Sophie and I love swimming.” The student who catches the ball then repeats Sophie’s name and fact aloud (“Sophie loves swimming”), before saying their own name and fun fact, and passing the ball to someone new.

Progression:

Inclusion:

Add multiple balls to increase pace and challenge.
Introduce a movement before passing (e.g. star jumps or a spin).
Use themed facts (e.g. favourite sport, dream holiday, superhero power).
Round two: students must recall someone else’s fact before passing.

Use larger, softer balls for easier handling.
Allow rolling instead of throwing.
Add name stickers or visual prompts for support.

Suggested Equipment

Ultimate Grip Soft Skin Foam Ball (Set of 4)

Choose options

Ultimate Grip Soft Skin Foam Ball (Set of 4)

From £17.50

From £17.50 ~~£25.00~~

Choose options

20cm Foam Sponge Ball

£5.00

£5.00 ~~£5.00~~

Sondico Flat Agility Sequence Dot Markers (Set of 20)

£14.00

£14.00 ~~£20.00~~

2. Tag & Tell

Get them moving and talking – a fun way to combine physical activity with team bonding.

Core: In small teams, students take turns running with a baton to a marker, saying their name and answering a fun question (e.g. “What’s your favourite food?”), then tagging the next runner.

Progression:

Inclusion:

Add agility obstacles (cones, ladders, hoops).
Introduce team timing challenges.
For round two, before handing the baton to the next runner, each student says one fun fact they remember about the person they’re tagging. This adds a memory challenge and encourages active listening during the activity.

Allow walking or reduce distance.
Use symbols or visuals for fun facts.
Pair students for support or confidence.

Suggested Equipment

Foam Relay Batons (Set of 6)

£9.00

£9.00 ~~£9.00~~

Sondico Space Markers (Set of 50)

£12.00

£12.00 ~~£12.00~~

Quad Agility Ladder

£45.00

£45.00 ~~£45.00~~

3. Getting-to-Know-You Circuits

Active stations with a personal twist – great for movement and conversation in small groups.

Core: Set up stations with simple activities (e.g. beanbag toss, balance challenge). Each station includes a question card (e.g. “What’s your favourite sport?”). Students rotate in groups, completing the activity and answering the question.

Progression:

Inclusion:

Increase physical difficulty at each station.
Use timers to add urgency.
End with a quiz: students recall answers shared by their group.

Provide seated or low-impact versions.
Use picture prompts or symbols.
Allow responses through drawing or gestures.

Suggested Equipment

Bean Bag Bucket (Set of 60)

£50.00

£50.00 ~~£50.00~~

40cm Flat Hoop (Set of 12)

£18.00

£18.00 ~~£18.00~~

Coloured Stopwatch & Whistle Pack

£28.00

£28.00 ~~£28.00~~

4. PE Bingo

A guaranteed hit — active, social, and perfect for all age groups.

Core: Students receive bingo cards with prompts (e.g. “Has a pet,” “Loves football”). They move around finding classmates who match each prompt, noting down the student’s name and completing a movement (e.g. squat, high five) each time. First student to complete their card yells ‘Bingo!’.

Progression:

Inclusion:

Add a time limit.
Use more specific or tricky prompts.
No repeating names allowed.

Visual bingo cards for accessibility.
Allow pointing or alternative communication.
Pair up for support if needed.

Suggested Equipment

Sondico Mini Space Marker Cones (Set of 60)

£8.00

£8.00 ~~£8.00~~

Fastime 01 Stopwatch

£9.00

£9.00 ~~£9.00~~

Choose options

Fox 40 Whistle

£7.00

£7.00 ~~£7.00~~

5. Team Tower Challenge

A creative, hands-on game that builds teamwork and reveals personalities.

Core: In small groups, students use sports equipment (cones, beanbags, hoops) to build the tallest freestanding tower they can in 5 minutes. Each student introduces themselves and shares a fun fact before placing an item.

Progression:

Inclusion:

Add time pressure or bonus rounds.
Introduce “mystery items” with challenges (e.g. balance a ball on top).
Judge towers on creativity, height, and teamwork.

Use lightweight, easy-to-handle items.
Allow seated building.
Encourage verbal (design tips) and physical (building) contributions.

Suggested Equipment

Choose options

Traffic Training Cones (Set of 12)

From £15.00

From £15.00 ~~£15.00~~

Soft Foam Dice (Set of 4)

£15.00

£15.00 ~~£15.00~~

Foam Can and Ball Set (Set of 10)

£18.20

£18.20 ~~£26.00~~

Final Tips

Keep the tone light and inclusive.
Focus more on participation than performance.
Use these starters to observe group dynamics, individual confidence, and preferred sports.
Don’t be afraid to join in — modelling enthusiasm goes a long way!

These activities are simple to set up, inclusive, and adaptable for all age groups. They give you a chance to observe how students interact, follow instructions, and move — all while having fun and building classroom connections from day one.

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