Bird’s Nest

  1. Readiness Games

  • Large Group (10 and up)

  • Grades 1-2

  • Bean Bags

  • Less Than 10 minutes

Development Goal

To develop teamwork and strategic thinking

Before You Start

  • Make sure everyone understand the importance of safety, control and awareness
  • Review the rules of the game and have the group explain the game to you

Set Up

Arrange five hula hoops (birds' nests) about 25 feet apart in a square with one hoop in the center. Place the beanbags (the eggs) in the center hoop. Divide players into four teams and each team line up behind their assigned a hoop/birds' nest.

How to Play

  • Each team’s goal is to get six bean bags in their hoops.
  • When told to start, the first person on each team runs to the center to grab a bean bag (one per turn).
  • Player returns to his or her line and places it in their hula hoop; then the next player goes.
  • Players keep taking bean bags from the center hoop until empty, at which point players can take bean bags from each other’s hula hoops. Players cannot defend their own hula hoop.
  • Game ends when one team has six bean bags.

Variations

  • Rename the eggs and bird's nest, such as trees and acorns or cookies and cookie jars.
  • Allow players to defend their hula hoop by tagging opponents. Once tagged, the player must return to his or her line and the next player may go.