Watch Out!

  1. Ball Games

  • Pre K/K

  • Bouncy Balls

Development Goal

To develop strategic thinking.

Before You Start

Skills Practiced:  Evasion, agility, running and spatial awareness.

  • Have everyone line up on one side of the space.
  • Remind them that they only become part of the boundaries when they are hit from the waist down.
  • Review safety rules, including using underhand throws to below players’ waists.

Set Up

Large rectangle with boundary lines (preferably a gym).

How to Play

  • The leader begins in the middle of the space with two playground balls and shouts a magic word (any word the group has agreed upon) to signal players can run to the other side.
  • If a player is hit with a ball while attempting to cross, s/he becomes part of the boundaries to help return balls to the adult.
  • Play continues until there are two players left, and the next round begins with those two in the middle with four playground balls.

Variations

  • More or fewer players can begin in the middle.
  • More or fewer balls can be used depending on the desired length of time for the game.