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)
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.
Soccer × Tail-Tag
We’d like to introduce a soccer × tail-tag game where strategy is key.
Each player has one soccer ball—dribble to escape! Attach a tail to your waist, and while dribbling, try to grab others’ tails.
If your tail gets taken, you’re out on the spot.
If your ball is kicked out of the court, you’re also out.
In this heated battle, the last person remaining is the winner.
Aiming for tails while dribbling tests your eye line and body balance.
Do your best and aim for the win!
Ball-carrying relay with defense
Here’s an idea for a sports day activity: “Line Ball Carry with Defense.” The rules are very simple.
It’s a relay-style game where the team works together to carry a ball to the goal.
The basic rule is to transport the ball without dropping it and score by getting it into the goal while avoiding the opposing team’s defense.
More important than winning or losing is spending a fun time together.
It’s perfect for sports day because it encourages teamwork and communication.
Join forces with everyone and make wonderful memories!
Ball Carry Tag
Here’s an adapted version of “tag” with ball carrying.
The rules are very simple! Wearing a flag, teams start at the starting line and try to carry as many balls as possible to the goal within the time limit.
There are taggers (oni) in between, so be careful not to let them take your flag.
If a tagger takes your flag, reattach the flag placed by the tagger and return to the start to try again.
It’s also a team game where you aim to transport all the balls without getting caught.
It’s fun to come up with strategies, like having someone act as a decoy.
We also recommend switching between the carrying team and the tagger team and using this as an event in a sports day.
[Fun Ball Games] A roundup of ball-based play and game sports (61–70)
Jorkyball
Jorkyball is a ball sport similar to soccer that uses not only your feet but also the walls and ceiling.
Born in France, it’s played on a court enclosed by walls on all sides.
The court is less than one-tenth the size of a soccer field, and both the goals and the ball are smaller.
Matches are played two-on-two, but because you can use the walls and ceiling, strategies go beyond just one-on-one play.
Still, since everything is small and it’s designed for small groups, it’s easy to start.
It’s a sport that anyone—from children to seniors, and even those who aren’t confident in their fitness—can try right away if they’re interested in soccer or futsal.
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!
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.