Fun Ball Sports: A Roundup of Ball-Based Play, Games, and Sports
When it comes to ball games, they’re classic sports like baseball and soccer to begin with, and they’re hugely popular with kids!
There’s a wide range—from games you can play with just a single ball, to ones like baseball and table tennis that use a bat or racket.
They help improve physical abilities too, whether it’s mastering how to use your body or learning to handle equipment.
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of ball-based activities, from classic and popular ball sports to some that are a bit more niche!
We’ll also cover simplified versions of sports like basketball and rugby that even small children can enjoy, as well as DIY activities like homemade bowling and target-throw games!
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[Fun Ball Sports] Summary of Ball-Based Play, Games, and Sports (31–40)
Ball Carrying UNO
Here’s an idea for adapting the well-known board game UNO into a ball-carrying relay.
Form teams in circles, with each person holding a ball.
Choose someone to give commands, and everyone passes or moves the balls according to the commands—like “skip” or “one bounce.” The rules are simple, but you can make it more exciting by increasing the speed of the commands and enjoying the sense of achievement as a team.
For team competitions, you can create original rules, such as declaring the team that doesn’t drop the ball until the end the winner, to make it even more fun.
It’s also a great recommendation for sports day events.
Boccia
Boccia, which originated in Europe and is an official Paralympic sport.
First, a target ball called the jack is thrown.
Players then take turns throwing balls of their own color, and the side whose ball ends up closest to the jack wins.
There is no fixed way to throw—you can kick the ball or use a ramp—so the game can be adapted to the player’s abilities.
Because it can be played while seated, it is also an accessible recreational activity for older adults.
Ball-passing game
It’s a game where each team lines up in a single vertical file and transports a ball.
The person at the front holds the ball, passes it to the person behind, then moves to the back of the line, causing the whole line to advance.
The first team to reach the goal wins! Adding rules for how to pass the ball—such as passing it under the legs or over the head—makes it even more fun.
Since it’s crucial not to drop the ball, teamwork becomes very important, helping players develop cooperation and communication skills.
soccer
One theory about the origins of soccer says people used to “kick skulls around.” It seems games involving kicking something back and forth have existed since ancient times.
Not only formal soccer, but casual versions played in tight spaces with a small ball can be exciting too.
Back in elementary and middle school, we used to kick a volleyball around in the corner of the gym for fun.
Speaking of soccer, the comedian Tsuchiya from the duo Knights has been popularizing something called “eraser soccer,” which seems to be catching on among kids!
Indiaca
Indiaca is a sport where players hit a shuttlecock-like ball with feathers using their hands.
You can imagine it as a blend of volleyball and badminton.
The ball is heavier than you’d expect, making its trajectory hard to read and the game challenging—but that’s what makes it fun.
[Fun Ball Sports] A Collection of Ball Games and Sports (41–50)
cricket
Cricket, which originated in the UK, is a minor sport in Japan, but it’s hugely popular and a major global ball game in countries like the UK, Australia, India, and Pakistan.
Many people may have heard the name “cricket” but aren’t quite sure about the rules.
For example, there’s a unique rule where the pitcher—called a bowler—must keep their elbow straight and use shoulder rotation to deliver the ball.
Baseball actually traces its roots back to cricket, so once you learn it, you’ll definitely find it a fun sport!
futsal
Futsal looks similar to soccer, but its rules differ in many details.
People often imagine it as a scaled-down version of soccer, with a smaller court and fewer players, but having fewer players doesn’t make it easier—futsal has its own unique excitement and ways to enjoy it.
Soccer is played with eleven players, while futsal is played with five.
The position names also differ from those in soccer.
Both the first and second halves are 20 minutes long, and the clock stops when the ball goes out of play.
Because the playing time is shorter, it may be a ball sport that’s easier for children to enjoy.
