[Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
Here are a variety of ball-based recreational activities.
We’ve gathered ball games that can be enjoyed by everyone—from children to seniors!
From sports aiming for the pinnacle at the Olympics or World Cup to simple time-killers, the variety of sports and games that use a “ball” is practically limitless.
Many people love ball games regardless of age or gender!
If you’re looking for “ball-based activities everyone can play together,” be sure to use this as a reference.
You might even use these games as inspiration to invent your own original new ball sport!
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[Sports] Recreation Games Using a Ball [Play] (21–30)
Bomb game
This is the “Bomb Game,” a simple game that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
Everyone sits in a circle and passes a ball to the next person in rhythm with the music—just that.
But suddenly, the music stops.
Whoever is holding the ball when it stops is out—the bomb has exploded! Prepare a penalty, like doing an impression, for anyone who gets out three times.
If you play trendy songs or music everyone likes, people will focus on the music too, which makes it even more exciting.
Strikeout
Struck Out is a game where you throw a ball at a board with numbers on it.
When the section of the board you hit pops out, you earn the number of points written there.
The most common type uses a 3×3 grid of nine targets, and you often see celebrities try it on TV shows! You might think you need a special board to play, but you can easily make one yourself using cardboard or wooden boards.
Even if you don’t make a version where the numbers pop out, you can play endlessly by simply awarding points whenever the ball hits a numbered section.
[Sports] Recreational ball games [Play] (31–40)
G Dodgeball
“G-Dodgeball” is a hugely popular team-based game in after-school care.
By adding a new role—the “Goalie,” a target that must be protected—to regular dodgeball, the game gains strategy and tension.
Each team selects one Goalie from among the first- or second-graders, and if that child is hit, the game ends immediately.
The infield players act as “Guardians,” doing everything they can to protect the Goalie.
Meanwhile, the outfield has “Getters” waiting to throw the ball at the opposing Goalie.
Because there are defined roles, everyone can shine, and with age-appropriate tweaks, the game evolves into an activity that excites players across grade levels.
It’s a great example of how a few simple rule additions can make dodgeball so much more fun.
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!
Ball-carrying balance relay
Perfect for building balance skills too! Here’s an idea for a “Ball-Carrying Balance Relay.” You can enjoy this indoors.
Place a ball on each end of a long board and carry it to the goal while clearing obstacles.
It’s fun and helps develop hand-eye coordination, so it’s also great as a sports day event.
Both kids and adults can enjoy it, so why not adapt it as a parent-child activity? Since it encourages teamwork and communication while following the rules, be sure to include it in your sports day!
soccer
Speaking of soccer, the whole country gets excited during events like the Olympics and the World Cup, right? Seeing that, many children probably feel like starting soccer or even dream of becoming soccer players in the future.
To enjoy soccer, it might be good to start by simply getting used to kicking the ball and playing around.
Regardless of the rules, there are many fun ways to play—try dribbling the ball to avoid obstacles, aiming a shot at a goal, or passing to a friend.
Kimball
It is a sport mainly played indoors using a ball with a diameter of 122 centimeters that originated in Canada.
The “Kin” in kin-ball is an abbreviation of the English word “kinesis,” meaning “sense of movement,” and international tournaments are now held.
Kin-ball includes two types of games: the Competition Game and the Lead-Up Game.
In the former, teams made up of four players each repeatedly hit and receive the ball within the court, while in the latter, two teams play rock-paper-scissors as they work to carry the ball to their own goal line.
