Gymnastics Circuit Challenge

A fun circuit where children explore different gymnastics apparatuses (floor, beam, bars and vault) through jumping, balancing, swinging and landing activities. Encourages gymnastics skill development, confidence and creativity.

Set up

Set up 4 stations with a variety of equipment at each station. Modify each station based on the equipment you have available.

Floor Station:

Soft gym mats or yoga mats
Hula hoops
Flat markers
Ribbons
Rhythmic gymnastics balls (or alternate soft, medium-sized balls like dodgeballs)

Beam Station:

Low balance beams
Wooden benches
Foam balance beams
Beanbags

Bars Station:

Monkey bars, low horizontal bar and/or ropes (depending on the playground equipment available in your space)

Vault Station:

Soft boxes/jumping boxes
Soft landing mats
Mini trampoline or springboard

Note: Gymnastics develops all-round physical skills including strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. All activities should be conducted in a safe environment with appropriate supervision, equipment and space. Educators should always encourage proper technique and adapt skills and activities to suit individual abilities.

How to play

Step 1:

Divide children into 4 even groups.
Demonstrate and explain each of the four stations:

FLOOR

Create your own floor routine using 3 to 5 different skills, for example:

Choose a jump (star, tuck, straddle, split, straight).
Add a roll (pencil roll, forward roll).
Add a balance or shape hold (e.g., dish, arch, L-sit, V-sit)
Link the movements into a mini sequence and add dance movements to transition from one skill to the next.

Extra challenge: Encourage children to add equipment such as hula hoops or soft balls into their floor routines.

BEAM

Create your own beam routine using 3 to 5 different skills, for example:

Walk across the beam using different steps (walking, heel-to-toe walking, tip-toe walking, sideways, backwards)
Freeze and balance in a gymnastics pose for 3 to 10 seconds
Continue moving across the beam
Dismount with a safe jump off the beam and land in motorbike landing position

Extra challenge: Have children balance a beanbag on their head while performing their beam routine.

BARS

Hanging in a straight position - "how long can you hang for?"
Lifting knees or holding a tuck position while hanging
Holding an "L" or "V" position while hanging
Swing gently (if appropriate for the equipment)
Create your own bar routine (e.g., hang → swing → create a shape hold → dismount by letting go of the bar and landing in motorbike)

VAULT

Run and jump onto a soft mat or sand pit.
Experiment with different types of jumps (straight , star, tuck, straddle, split)
Always land with control in a motorbike landing
Run and jump over an obstacle (soft mat, mini hurdle or small box) and land in a target (hula hoop or marked area)

Step 2:

Each group begins at a different station.
Spend 3 to 6 minutes at each station before signalling for children to rotate to the next station.
Encourage children to get creative and explore different movement sequences at each station.

Step 3:

After all stations have been completed, finish with a "showcase" or “free choice” challenge round. Ask children to choose a station they would like to showcase their routine at, or a station they would like to have one more turn on.

Variations

Make it easier

Practice individual skills slowly or with support (e.g. lower balance beam or line marking on the floor)

Make it harder

Encourage children to add equipment such as hula hoops or soft balls into their floor routines.
Have children balance a beanbag on their head while performing their beam routine.

Activity information

Age: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Participants: 4 +

Equipment: Balance beams, Balance pods, Exercise mat, Hoops, Chalk, Hurdles, Flat markers, Beanbags

Duration: 15 minutes

Skill focus

Explore these skills for teaching tips