Roll, Throw, and Catch Games

Equipment: playground ball and 6-10 empty soda bottles

Group Size: 1+

Object: Knock down as many bottles as possible by rolling a ball at them.

Rules:

• Arrange the soda bottles in a pyramid shape.
• Move back 10 or more big steps.
• Roll the ball at the bottles and try to knock over as many as possible.
• Count how many bottles are knocked over and add this number to that player's score.
• Reset the bottles and try again.
• Bowl for 10 rounds and add up the total score.

Variations:

• Challenge family members or friends.
• Partially fill the bottles with sand to increase difficulty.
• Add more bottles for more difficulty.
• Decide on a specific total to play to.

Equipment: Playground Ball and 4 Bases

Group Size: 10+

Object: Score more runs than the opponent.

Rules:

• Divide the group into two equal teams.
• The game is set up and played with rules similar to baseball.
• The pitcher rolls the ball to the kicker.
• The kicker kicks the ball and runs to first base.
• Each team has three outs per inning.
• Runners can be put 'out' in the following ways:
• A kicked ball is caught without bouncing first.
• Runner is hit with the ball below the shoulders.
• The ball is thrown to a defensive player who touches the base for a force out.
• A run is scored every time a player is able to make it around all four bases without getting put out.

Variations:

Instead of kicking the ball, players can kneel and hit the ball with their arm/fist.

Play with a frisbee. The 'kicker' just throws the frisbee for their turn.

Equipment: Ball or Beanbag, Music

Group Size: 2+

Object: While music is playing, players toss a ball around the circle as quickly as they can. Players do not want to be the one holding the ball when the music stops.

Rules:

• Gather players in a circle.
• The game starts when music is started.
• Players toss the ball across the circle to other players.
• After a determined time limit, somebody stops the music.
• When the music stops, the players stop tossing the ball.
• The player holding the ball is out.

Variations:

• More than one object can be tossed at the same time.
• Use a ball and bounce it between players instead of passing it.

Equipment: Object to Pass, Music

Group Size: 5+

Object: Pass the object to the beat of the music. Try not to be the one holding the object when the music stops.

Rules:

• This activity is played like Musical Chairs.
• Students stand shoulder to shoulder in a circle.
• When the music begins, an object is passed or tossed around the circle to the beat of the music.
• When the music stops, the person holding the object goes to the center of the circle and does a selected non-locomotor or locomotor movement skill until the next round is over.
• Encourage the player in the middle to do the movement to the beat of the music.
• After a new round, the person in the middle rejoins the group and is replaced by the player that ended up with the passed object.

Variations:

• More than one object can be passed around the circle. This will send multiple players into the center to complete the motor skills.
• Use a basketball and the different basketball passes.

Equipment: Ball or Beanbag, Hula hoops

Group Size: 1+

Object: Hit the bullseye by throwing a ball or beanbag through the hula hoop targets.

Rules:

• Prop hula hoops so they stand upright. (Make sure they are propped somewhere where something won't be damaged.)
• Move players back a short distance.
• Player attempts to throw the ball through the hula hoop.
• Continue to move players backward to challenge their skill.

Variations:

• Have competitions with a family member or friends.
• Count how many times in a row the bullseye is hit.
• Bounce the ball and try to hit the bullseye.

Equipment: 5+ playground balls

Group Size: 6+

Object: Get all the opposing players out by hitting them with a thrown ball.

Rules:

• Divide players into two equal teams.
• Line up the balls on a center line, dividing the two teams.
• Players line up along the back line of the playing area.
• On "GO," players can run and get the balls.
• Players attempt to throw the balls and hit the opposing team with the ball.
• If a player is hit with a ball, he/she is out of the game and should sit along the sideline. (If a player is hit in the head, it does not count and they are not out.)
• If a player catches a thrown ball, the opposing player that threw the ball is out.
• Once a ball hits the ground, it is considered "dead" and cannot get a player out.
• Play continues until there is only one player left. This is the winning team.

Variations:

• If a player catches a ball, the person that threw the ball is out and a player from their own team gets to reenter the game.

Equipment: Playground Ball

Group Size: 3+

Object: Keep the ball away from other players.

Rules:

• Designate a circle for the playing area.
• Decide the player or players that will be in the center.
• The remaining players stand on the outside of the circle.
• Throw or kick a ball back and forth between the players on the circle without letting the person in the middle get it.
• The players inside the circle try to get the ball.
• If a player in the middle gets the ball, he/she trades places with the player that threw or kicked the ball.

Variations:

• If you have a large group, use multiple balls.
• Play with a balloon or frisbee.
• Allow players to move within the designated area. Make sure to instruct everyone to watch for other players.
• Play using the different basketball passes.
• Play while dribbling a soccer ball with a defender.