Recreational and Outdoor Activities | Health and Physical Education for Class 8 PDF Download

 Page 1


134 Health and Physical Education/Teachers’ Guide — Class VIII
Recreational and 
Outdoor Activities
IntroductIon In the modern era of technology and 
development, urban children during 
leisure hours spend most of their 
time watching television and movies, 
and playing video or computer 
games. Due to less participation in 
physical activities, they are leading 
an inactive life. Such a behaviour 
may adversely affect their physical, 
mental and emotional growth. In 
order to avoid such a state, recreation 
through physical activities can help 
them develop as healthy citizens. 
Participation of children in group 
activities like party games, modified 
games and camping will provide them 
with fun and enjoyment. It will facilitate 
their physical and social health.
GuIdelInes for the t eacher z z The teacher will organise 
the class and explain to the 
students about the importance 
of recreational and outdoor 
activities. 
z z The teacher must explain the 
rules of modified and recreational games.
This Unit will help 
a teacher to enable 
students to:
z z learn party games.
z z learn skills of 
modified games.
z z learn about 
camping. 
z z utilise their 
leisure time in a 
productive manner.
z z familiarise with 
group games.
z z develop social 
qualities like 
cooperation, 
team spirit, 
fair-play, etc.
z z identify their 
talents.
z z develop their 
neuromuscular  
coordination.
z z learn discipline in 
a joyful learning 
atmosphere.
Objectives
7
Unit
Page 2


134 Health and Physical Education/Teachers’ Guide — Class VIII
Recreational and 
Outdoor Activities
IntroductIon In the modern era of technology and 
development, urban children during 
leisure hours spend most of their 
time watching television and movies, 
and playing video or computer 
games. Due to less participation in 
physical activities, they are leading 
an inactive life. Such a behaviour 
may adversely affect their physical, 
mental and emotional growth. In 
order to avoid such a state, recreation 
through physical activities can help 
them develop as healthy citizens. 
Participation of children in group 
activities like party games, modified 
games and camping will provide them 
with fun and enjoyment. It will facilitate 
their physical and social health.
GuIdelInes for the t eacher z z The teacher will organise 
the class and explain to the 
students about the importance 
of recreational and outdoor 
activities. 
z z The teacher must explain the 
rules of modified and recreational games.
This Unit will help 
a teacher to enable 
students to:
z z learn party games.
z z learn skills of 
modified games.
z z learn about 
camping. 
z z utilise their 
leisure time in a 
productive manner.
z z familiarise with 
group games.
z z develop social 
qualities like 
cooperation, 
team spirit, 
fair-play, etc.
z z identify their 
talents.
z z develop their 
neuromuscular  
coordination.
z z learn discipline in 
a joyful learning 
atmosphere.
Objectives
7
Unit
 
z z The teacher must demonstrate and 
explain the skills of modified games 
with the help of charts.
z z The teacher will discuss the 
corrections to be made during the 
practise of the skills of the game.
z z The teacher will promote 
healthy competition 
among the students.
z z All children, 
including CWSN, 
must be provided with 
equal opportunities.
z z The teacher will also organise camping.
r ecreatIonal a ctIvItIes Recreational games are those which are played for fun and 
recreation during social gatherings and functions in schools 
and community. These are played with some basic rules and are 
most enjoyed by the students. 
The teacher may introduce some more games to the students 
and ask them to add those games to the list. Some of the popular 
indoor party games are as follows:
7.1: Chinese whisper
Number of players: No Limit
Equipment: None
The teacher asks the students to sit in a circle. Each student 
is told to whisper a long phrase to the person sitting next and 
the other student, in turn, whispers what s/he heards to the 
next person, and so on. The last person announces what one 
has heard.  
The teacher needs a large group in order to ensure that 
the children enjoy the game. A variation in this game could 
be the following: 
Fig. 7.1: Group activity
Page 3


134 Health and Physical Education/Teachers’ Guide — Class VIII
Recreational and 
Outdoor Activities
IntroductIon In the modern era of technology and 
development, urban children during 
leisure hours spend most of their 
time watching television and movies, 
and playing video or computer 
games. Due to less participation in 
physical activities, they are leading 
an inactive life. Such a behaviour 
may adversely affect their physical, 
mental and emotional growth. In 
order to avoid such a state, recreation 
through physical activities can help 
them develop as healthy citizens. 
Participation of children in group 
activities like party games, modified 
games and camping will provide them 
with fun and enjoyment. It will facilitate 
their physical and social health.
GuIdelInes for the t eacher z z The teacher will organise 
the class and explain to the 
students about the importance 
of recreational and outdoor 
activities. 
z z The teacher must explain the 
rules of modified and recreational games.
This Unit will help 
a teacher to enable 
students to:
z z learn party games.
z z learn skills of 
modified games.
z z learn about 
camping. 
z z utilise their 
leisure time in a 
productive manner.
z z familiarise with 
group games.
z z develop social 
qualities like 
cooperation, 
team spirit, 
fair-play, etc.
z z identify their 
talents.
z z develop their 
neuromuscular  
coordination.
z z learn discipline in 
a joyful learning 
atmosphere.
Objectives
7
Unit
 
z z The teacher must demonstrate and 
explain the skills of modified games 
with the help of charts.
z z The teacher will discuss the 
corrections to be made during the 
practise of the skills of the game.
z z The teacher will promote 
healthy competition 
among the students.
z z All children, 
including CWSN, 
must be provided with 
equal opportunities.
z z The teacher will also organise camping.
r ecreatIonal a ctIvItIes Recreational games are those which are played for fun and 
recreation during social gatherings and functions in schools 
and community. These are played with some basic rules and are 
most enjoyed by the students. 
The teacher may introduce some more games to the students 
and ask them to add those games to the list. Some of the popular 
indoor party games are as follows:
7.1: Chinese whisper
Number of players: No Limit
Equipment: None
The teacher asks the students to sit in a circle. Each student 
is told to whisper a long phrase to the person sitting next and 
the other student, in turn, whispers what s/he heards to the 
next person, and so on. The last person announces what one 
has heard.  
The teacher needs a large group in order to ensure that 
the children enjoy the game. A variation in this game could 
be the following: 
Fig. 7.1: Group activity
 
1. Everyone must be seated in a circle. 
2. The first person needs to whisper a phrase, say 
in English, to the 
second person. 
3. The second 
person, 
then, needs 
to translate 
it into Hindi 
(or another 
language) and 
whisper it to the 
third person.
4. The third person, then, must translate it back into English 
and whisper it to the fourth person.
5. This pattern of alternating translation must continue 
until the last person.
6. The last person announces what one has heard. 
7.2: Memory game
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: Tray, different items, hanky, etc.
The teacher asks the students to place about 10 to 15 small 
items (e.g., pencil, watch, comb, shoelace, spoon, toy car, etc.) 
on a tray and cover them with a cloth. The students sit in a 
circle. Place the tray in the middle of the circle and remove the 
cloth for 60 seconds. Everyone has to remember the objects.  
When the time is up, put the cloth back. In turn, each person 
has to name an object in the tray. If the first person fails to name 
an object, and repeats the same or names something which is 
not in the tray, is out. The tray is, then, removed and some or 
all of the objects are replaced, and the game is restarted with 
the person following the one who is out. If the teacher feels that 
the game is too easy for the group, more objects may be added 
or the time may be reduced.
Fig. 7.2: Chinese whisper
Page 4


134 Health and Physical Education/Teachers’ Guide — Class VIII
Recreational and 
Outdoor Activities
IntroductIon In the modern era of technology and 
development, urban children during 
leisure hours spend most of their 
time watching television and movies, 
and playing video or computer 
games. Due to less participation in 
physical activities, they are leading 
an inactive life. Such a behaviour 
may adversely affect their physical, 
mental and emotional growth. In 
order to avoid such a state, recreation 
through physical activities can help 
them develop as healthy citizens. 
Participation of children in group 
activities like party games, modified 
games and camping will provide them 
with fun and enjoyment. It will facilitate 
their physical and social health.
GuIdelInes for the t eacher z z The teacher will organise 
the class and explain to the 
students about the importance 
of recreational and outdoor 
activities. 
z z The teacher must explain the 
rules of modified and recreational games.
This Unit will help 
a teacher to enable 
students to:
z z learn party games.
z z learn skills of 
modified games.
z z learn about 
camping. 
z z utilise their 
leisure time in a 
productive manner.
z z familiarise with 
group games.
z z develop social 
qualities like 
cooperation, 
team spirit, 
fair-play, etc.
z z identify their 
talents.
z z develop their 
neuromuscular  
coordination.
z z learn discipline in 
a joyful learning 
atmosphere.
Objectives
7
Unit
 
z z The teacher must demonstrate and 
explain the skills of modified games 
with the help of charts.
z z The teacher will discuss the 
corrections to be made during the 
practise of the skills of the game.
z z The teacher will promote 
healthy competition 
among the students.
z z All children, 
including CWSN, 
must be provided with 
equal opportunities.
z z The teacher will also organise camping.
r ecreatIonal a ctIvItIes Recreational games are those which are played for fun and 
recreation during social gatherings and functions in schools 
and community. These are played with some basic rules and are 
most enjoyed by the students. 
The teacher may introduce some more games to the students 
and ask them to add those games to the list. Some of the popular 
indoor party games are as follows:
7.1: Chinese whisper
Number of players: No Limit
Equipment: None
The teacher asks the students to sit in a circle. Each student 
is told to whisper a long phrase to the person sitting next and 
the other student, in turn, whispers what s/he heards to the 
next person, and so on. The last person announces what one 
has heard.  
The teacher needs a large group in order to ensure that 
the children enjoy the game. A variation in this game could 
be the following: 
Fig. 7.1: Group activity
 
1. Everyone must be seated in a circle. 
2. The first person needs to whisper a phrase, say 
in English, to the 
second person. 
3. The second 
person, 
then, needs 
to translate 
it into Hindi 
(or another 
language) and 
whisper it to the 
third person.
4. The third person, then, must translate it back into English 
and whisper it to the fourth person.
5. This pattern of alternating translation must continue 
until the last person.
6. The last person announces what one has heard. 
7.2: Memory game
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: Tray, different items, hanky, etc.
The teacher asks the students to place about 10 to 15 small 
items (e.g., pencil, watch, comb, shoelace, spoon, toy car, etc.) 
on a tray and cover them with a cloth. The students sit in a 
circle. Place the tray in the middle of the circle and remove the 
cloth for 60 seconds. Everyone has to remember the objects.  
When the time is up, put the cloth back. In turn, each person 
has to name an object in the tray. If the first person fails to name 
an object, and repeats the same or names something which is 
not in the tray, is out. The tray is, then, removed and some or 
all of the objects are replaced, and the game is restarted with 
the person following the one who is out. If the teacher feels that 
the game is too easy for the group, more objects may be added 
or the time may be reduced.
Fig. 7.2: Chinese whisper
 
7.3: Balloon war
Number of players: Up to 25
Equipment: One balloon per player and string
The teacher asks the students to tie a balloon to the ankle 
with a piece of string (about 18 inches long). Once every student 
has a balloon, the teacher starts playing some music. When the 
music plays, the students walk around the floor till the music 
stops. The aim is to burst the other students’ balloon and protect 
their own. The winner is the last student left with a balloon. 
7.4: Chain tag
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: None
The teacher 
explains and 
demonstrates the 
chain tag game. 
This game is just 
like the normal 
tag game. In this 
game, one student 
starts of as ‘in’ and 
has to chase the
other students. When this student tags the other student, that 
student also becomes ‘in’. In chain tag, when another student 
gets ‘in’, the person holds hands with the original student. They, 
then, run around together trying to catch everyone else. When 
they touch another student, that person also joins at the end 
of the chain. The chain is not allowed to be broken. When one 
student is left, that student becomes ‘in’ for the next game. 
7.5: Jump stick relay 
Number of players: 20 to 30
Equipment: Two wooden sticks of 2 metre length
The teacher divides the students into two teams having 
equal number of members. The teams are arranged in parallel 
Fig. 7.3: Chain tag
Page 5


134 Health and Physical Education/Teachers’ Guide — Class VIII
Recreational and 
Outdoor Activities
IntroductIon In the modern era of technology and 
development, urban children during 
leisure hours spend most of their 
time watching television and movies, 
and playing video or computer 
games. Due to less participation in 
physical activities, they are leading 
an inactive life. Such a behaviour 
may adversely affect their physical, 
mental and emotional growth. In 
order to avoid such a state, recreation 
through physical activities can help 
them develop as healthy citizens. 
Participation of children in group 
activities like party games, modified 
games and camping will provide them 
with fun and enjoyment. It will facilitate 
their physical and social health.
GuIdelInes for the t eacher z z The teacher will organise 
the class and explain to the 
students about the importance 
of recreational and outdoor 
activities. 
z z The teacher must explain the 
rules of modified and recreational games.
This Unit will help 
a teacher to enable 
students to:
z z learn party games.
z z learn skills of 
modified games.
z z learn about 
camping. 
z z utilise their 
leisure time in a 
productive manner.
z z familiarise with 
group games.
z z develop social 
qualities like 
cooperation, 
team spirit, 
fair-play, etc.
z z identify their 
talents.
z z develop their 
neuromuscular  
coordination.
z z learn discipline in 
a joyful learning 
atmosphere.
Objectives
7
Unit
 
z z The teacher must demonstrate and 
explain the skills of modified games 
with the help of charts.
z z The teacher will discuss the 
corrections to be made during the 
practise of the skills of the game.
z z The teacher will promote 
healthy competition 
among the students.
z z All children, 
including CWSN, 
must be provided with 
equal opportunities.
z z The teacher will also organise camping.
r ecreatIonal a ctIvItIes Recreational games are those which are played for fun and 
recreation during social gatherings and functions in schools 
and community. These are played with some basic rules and are 
most enjoyed by the students. 
The teacher may introduce some more games to the students 
and ask them to add those games to the list. Some of the popular 
indoor party games are as follows:
7.1: Chinese whisper
Number of players: No Limit
Equipment: None
The teacher asks the students to sit in a circle. Each student 
is told to whisper a long phrase to the person sitting next and 
the other student, in turn, whispers what s/he heards to the 
next person, and so on. The last person announces what one 
has heard.  
The teacher needs a large group in order to ensure that 
the children enjoy the game. A variation in this game could 
be the following: 
Fig. 7.1: Group activity
 
1. Everyone must be seated in a circle. 
2. The first person needs to whisper a phrase, say 
in English, to the 
second person. 
3. The second 
person, 
then, needs 
to translate 
it into Hindi 
(or another 
language) and 
whisper it to the 
third person.
4. The third person, then, must translate it back into English 
and whisper it to the fourth person.
5. This pattern of alternating translation must continue 
until the last person.
6. The last person announces what one has heard. 
7.2: Memory game
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: Tray, different items, hanky, etc.
The teacher asks the students to place about 10 to 15 small 
items (e.g., pencil, watch, comb, shoelace, spoon, toy car, etc.) 
on a tray and cover them with a cloth. The students sit in a 
circle. Place the tray in the middle of the circle and remove the 
cloth for 60 seconds. Everyone has to remember the objects.  
When the time is up, put the cloth back. In turn, each person 
has to name an object in the tray. If the first person fails to name 
an object, and repeats the same or names something which is 
not in the tray, is out. The tray is, then, removed and some or 
all of the objects are replaced, and the game is restarted with 
the person following the one who is out. If the teacher feels that 
the game is too easy for the group, more objects may be added 
or the time may be reduced.
Fig. 7.2: Chinese whisper
 
7.3: Balloon war
Number of players: Up to 25
Equipment: One balloon per player and string
The teacher asks the students to tie a balloon to the ankle 
with a piece of string (about 18 inches long). Once every student 
has a balloon, the teacher starts playing some music. When the 
music plays, the students walk around the floor till the music 
stops. The aim is to burst the other students’ balloon and protect 
their own. The winner is the last student left with a balloon. 
7.4: Chain tag
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: None
The teacher 
explains and 
demonstrates the 
chain tag game. 
This game is just 
like the normal 
tag game. In this 
game, one student 
starts of as ‘in’ and 
has to chase the
other students. When this student tags the other student, that 
student also becomes ‘in’. In chain tag, when another student 
gets ‘in’, the person holds hands with the original student. They, 
then, run around together trying to catch everyone else. When 
they touch another student, that person also joins at the end 
of the chain. The chain is not allowed to be broken. When one 
student is left, that student becomes ‘in’ for the next game. 
7.5: Jump stick relay 
Number of players: 20 to 30
Equipment: Two wooden sticks of 2 metre length
The teacher divides the students into two teams having 
equal number of members. The teams are arranged in parallel 
Fig. 7.3: Chain tag
 
columns 3 metre apart on a common line. A turning point is 
marked at a distance of 10 metre in front of each column. The 
first player of each team is given a stick. At the signal ‘go’, the 
first player of each team runs forward with a stick, touches the 
turning point, returns and hands on another end of the stick to 
the second player. Both the players, keeping the stick low, run 
back towards the end of the column. The remaining players in 
the column jump over the stick as it comes to them. After the 
last player in the column has jumped over the stick, the team 
arriving in its original position first, wins the relay.
7.6: Dodge ball
Number of players: No limit
Equipment: Ball, lime powder, cord and measuring tape
The teacher first explains the game to the students, and 
then, divides them into two teams. The teacher asks one team 
to take position on a circle of 10 to 15 metres in diameter and 
asks the other team to take scattered positions inside the circle. 
A volleyball is given to the captain of the team forming the circle. 
At the signal, the players on the circle will hit the players inside 
the circle, who avoid being hit. The players inside the circle 
may try to change their position as they please. The throwers 
may recover the ball inside the circle but throw the ball only 
from the outside. Any inside circle player, who is hit by the 
ball, is eliminated. The time during which all players have been 
eliminated is recorded. Now, the teams change their positions, 
i.e., the team on the circle comes inside and the team, which 
was inside the circle, assumes position on the circle. The game 
is played in the same manner. The time taken by each team 
for elimination is recorded. The team that takes less time to 
eliminate the other team is declared the winner.
7.7: Modified games
Modified games are those games, which can be played by 
modifying the procedure of playing, according to the need and 
requirement of a player. The modifications must be adapted