Suggested equipment for athletics and games
The ratio of equipment to each child is an important consideration. Where possible, for games lessons each child should have access to the striking implement being used, e.g. a tennis racquet per child and a ball per child or per pair of children. Similarly, for throwing and catching practices, each child or pair of children should have a ball.
Some aspects of the athletics programme require little or no equipment, but to provide a comprehensive programme certain basic equipment is necessary:
- a variety of small and large balls may include
- tennis ball cores or tennis balls
- vinyl balls of varying sizes (115 to 255 mm diameter)
- lightweight size 5 balls (suitable for younger children and for volleying practices)
- midweight size 5 balls (suitable for throwing, catching, rolling and kicking practices)
- coated foam balls (for use with racquets)
- foam or plastic mini rugby balls
- plastic hoops
- canes
- skipping ropes
- beanbags
- quoits
- wire skittles, foam hurdles
- plastic cones, multi markers or space markers
- braids or bibs
- plastic racquets, wooden play bats
- hockey sticks, hurleys, uni-hoc sticks
- wooden, plastic or alloy relay batons
- plastic or wire containers
- ball-carrying nets
- chalk
- tape
- stop-watch.
Suggested equipment for gymnastics and dance
The ratio of pieces of equipment to child should be considered when selecting apparatus for gymnastics. Gymnastic mats are a basic requirement, and an adequate supply of these is necessary to ensure maximum participation. A mat (6 feet by 4 feet) should be available for every two to four children where possible. Balance benches are another very versatile piece of equipment; between four and six benches would be adequate for most class sizes. The list below may be helpful:
- selection of music
- tape recorder
- hoops
- plastic cones, multi markers or space markers
- gymnastic mats
- portable or fixed climbing frame with attachments
- balance benches
- bar box or movement table.
Suggested equipment for outdoor and adventure activities
Outdoor education centres may provide a variety of equipment for use by class groups, e.g. stepping-stone courses, wall-climbing courses, rope walls, life jackets, etc.
Within the school it may be possible to construct adventure trails using benches, mats, climbing-frames, etc.
Suggested equipment for aquatics
At the swimming-pool, useful equipment may include
- swimming-floats
- diving-rings
- diving-sticks
- weighted diving-hoops
- ropes
- poles.