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 Games] A roundup of ball-based play and game sports (51–60)
beach volleyball
Beach volleyball is practically synonymous with summer.
But because you play on unstable sand and the ball is affected by the wind, the sport is surprisingly challenging.
I think it’s best to play with a strong, stable lower body.
Be careful about dehydration and heatstroke!
Where are you from?
It is said to be an old temari (handball) song set in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and is believed to have originated from the late Edo to early Meiji period.
There is a rule that whenever the syllable “sa” appears in the lyrics, you must lift your foot and step over the ball, and on the final lyric, “choito kakuse” (“hide it a little”), you put the ball under your skirt.
It’s not just a ball game; the charm is that you can play while singing, and people of all ages can enjoy it.
It might be one of the most widely known ball games in all of Japan.
Rugby
In 2019, Japan’s national rugby team achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the quarterfinals, which likely sparked interest among many people.
Rugby is a sport played by teams of 15, competing to score points by carrying the ball into the opponent’s in-goal area for a try while battling for possession.
Because teams work together to gain territory as they advance the ball, it’s also known as a “territory game.” Since it requires a high level of physical ability, “tag rugby” is recommended for children whose bodies are not yet fully developed.
Dodgeball tag
Ball Tag with a Throw is a high-energy indoor game that’s hugely popular in after-school programs.
The rules are simple: the “it” player chases with a ball and tries to tag the others by hitting them with it.
Despite its simplicity, the speed and thrill make it incredibly exciting! Whoever gets hit by the ball becomes the next “it,” so the game keeps changing rapidly and never gets boring.
Using a soft ball makes it safe for indoor play.
In smaller spaces, you can adjust by setting boundaries or requiring shorter strides.
It’s a perfect game to bring out lots of energy and create a lively, fun time.
Safe baseball
Let’s play using soft materials! Here’s a safe baseball idea.
When you think of baseball, you probably imagine wooden or metal bats and cork-filled balls.
But when playing with preschoolers or kids who aren’t familiar with baseball, how about enjoying the game with soft equipment? Use a pool noodle cut in half as the bat, and a ball made by crumpling newspaper.
Give it a try!
Ball Retrieval Relay
A recommended variation of the ball-carry relay is the Ball Collection Relay! In this game, you form teams and race to gather balls as quickly as possible.
Stand at the starting line and take off when the signal is given.
Each team member runs out one at a time to grab a ball, comes back, and hands the baton to the next person.
The more balls there are, the more fun it gets.
You can help each other, chat while you run, and feel your team’s unity.
Laugh, cheer each other on, and make it a memorable event!
dodgeball
This is dodgeball, a ball game so popular in Japan that it hardly needs an explanation.
The name “dodgeball” is said to come from the English word “dodge,” meaning to quickly evade.
It was reportedly introduced in Japan by the end of the Meiji era, so it’s an older game than you might think.
Variations include Double Dodge, which uses two balls, and “Dodgebee,” which uses a soft flying disc instead of a ball.
Pétanque
Do you know the sport called pétanque? Born in France and enjoyed mainly across Europe, it’s a bona fide ball game.
You throw balls toward a target called the “but,” and compete to see whose ball ends up closest.
You don’t just have to throw the ball—you can also roll or slide it along the ground.
You’re even allowed to knock an opponent’s ball away from near the but by throwing your own ball at it! It’s a bit like curling, too.
The rules themselves are simple, but it’s a brainy sport where you have to think hard about what strategy will earn you points in the end.
Ball passing
Ball passing is a simple ball game you can play indoors or outdoors with just one ball.
Players line up in a single file and pass the ball from the person in front to the person behind, keeping the same posture as they go.
In the video, the ball is passed overhead on the way down the line and through the legs on the way back, but you can vary it by passing around the sides of the body or using other movements.
It helps improve ball-handling skills and provides a good stretch.
If you do it as a relay, it can also boost team cohesion and agility, so it’s recommended as a warm-up for sports teams.
Carrying a ball with a holey newspaper
Here’s an idea for a relay game using a newspaper and a tennis ball.
The rules are very simple: two players work in perfect sync to reach the goal without dropping the tennis ball through the holes in the newspaper.
The rules are easy, but it’s surprisingly challenging even for adults—that’s part of the fun.
You can play it anywhere, indoors or outdoors.
First, pair up, spread out a sheet of newspaper, and place the ball on top.
Work together to carry it carefully without dropping it.
If you drop it along the way, pick it up immediately and restart from the same spot.
The team that reaches the goal first wins! It’s also a great activity to include in a sports day event.