I'm looking for ideas for fun games for first graders. That would help improve their athletic development. I know about red light green light, dodgeball, tag, just looking for other ideas. Also any books or dvds that deal with this. Thank you

A few ideas:

Relays - go with different variations on the theme (going around cones, in between cones, must stop at last cone before coming back and pat head/rub belly, anything that makes the relay fun).

How many fingers do I have up? Have them dribble from one end to the other with you out in front of them. They must shout out how many fingers you are holding up. Great for getting them used to dribbling with their eyes up.

Nose touch drill. Same as above, but you call out body parts as they dribble along and they must touch it with their off hand. "Nose!" "Head!" "Ear!" type thing.

Musical basketball balls. If you have 8 players, place 7 balls spread out across the half court line. The 8 players line up under the basket and on your mark they race to get a ball. Obviously someone will end up without a ball and they're out. Keep it moving fast, make sure the kids aren't diving for the balls so they don't smack heads. Each time you remove another ball.

Circle passing with two balls. This takes some practice, but the kids usually get it after a few tries. One player in the middle, the other players in a circle around that player. The player in the middle has a ball, one player in the circle has a ball. The player in the middle passes the ball to the player just right of the player in the circle who has a ball. The player in the circle who has the ball passes to the middle, middle passes to outside circle and so on. You switch players in middle once they've made it around a full rotation. Be careful to tell the players in the circle not to pass the ball to the middle until that player calls for the ball or kids will get smacked in the face.

Hot potato passing. Two teams in a circles next to each other with a coach helping in each circle. You need someone to time the passing. How many passes can each team make in 30 seconds? You can make rules such as, bounce passes only, chest passes only. You can't pass to the person immediately next to you. Kids love it and it points out how important it is to be prepared to receive a pass and to make good passes so your teammate isn't running to get the loose ball.

Who's afraid of the big bad __________ (whatever you mascot is)? Coyote, bear, etc... Coach is in middle for this one and can enlist help of mom/dad. Every player has a ball, better to split up in waves 5 go at a time. Object is to make it to the other end of the court without the big bad bear getting your ball. Allow the kids to make it a few times, then turn up the heat a bit. It teaches them to stay in control, but dribble aggressively. I allow some double dribbling in this one. If you knock their ball, they are out. You can add the knocked out kids to the middle, but that tends to get a bit hectic.

Two ball dribbling. It will be messy at first, but get them used to doing it. Add cones, relays, etc..

Love some Pete M. stuff. 1st/2nd is a bit early for some of these, but it can be fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jf2Wpu2vg4

Hope these help!

More ideas....

Mirror Drills

Variations of tag. Speed tag, freeze tag, etc.

Dribble with right hand while balancing on left foot.

Short overhead passing while balancing on one foot (might be tough for 1st graders tho).

1on1 full court defense.

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/corner-finishing.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/chaser-drill.html