4 good things to do with bibs

A tail for tag

Tuck a bib into the waistband in order to make a tail.

In tag games, the tagger must pull the tail out in order to catch someone.

This changes the kinds of movement you get as the child with the tail can use their body to protect or hide their tail.

Throw and catch

One of a pair guard two cones about 3m apart. Their partner stands another 3m away and can score by throwing a bib onto one of the cones.

If you tie the bib into a knot, you have something which moves through the air faster. This may add speed to the game.

Bibs are easier to catch than balls. So, you can use them – tied into a knot or not - to help children who struggle to catch a ball. Even in a team game of handball, this might add a different challenge than using a ball.

Special missions

In invasion games, each team has to choose their star player, who gets a special challenge.

For example, can the star player set-up each of their team mates to score a goal. Or the star player is the only one allowed to talk during the game.

The star player wears a different coloured bib, and this can be changed between players whenever they like.

As targets

Bibs can be tied onto goals, posts, fences etc, and used as targets in invasion games or throwing activities.

Think about having different points scored for hitting different coloured bibs in a game.

Or different conditions for scoring a point:

Yellow: Everyone on the team needs to touch the ball before you score.

Red: You must play silently without any verbal communication.

Green: You need to celebrate creatively as a team in order to score a point.

Blue: You must all play with one hand or one foot only.


Need more top tips and handy hints?

'A Year of Primary PE' is jam-packed full of quick-starters, ideas and tips for primary school teachers 

A must-have for every primary school

SARAH WATKINS - AUTHOR AND TEACHER @mini_Lebowski

This book is a must-have for every primary school. Mark’s passion for PE, grounded in experience, shines through and he offers an alternative approach that focuses on the holistic development of each learner, as well as developing physical skills. Every activity is carefully planned, tried and tested, engaging and purposeful.