[Childcare] Ball game ideas popular with children

Dodgeball tag

Dodgeball tag

Tag, a simple game loved for generations, comes in many variations.

This game, “Ball-Tag,” is one such variation—just as the name suggests, it adds the element of hitting with a ball to regular tag.

In regular tag, the “it” chases the others and switches roles by touching them, but in Ball-Tag, the role switches when someone is hit by the ball.

Even children who aren’t fast runners and find regular tag challenging might be able to fully enjoy Ball-Tag.

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utatane

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Dodgeball (line dodgeball)

Coordination Training Junior: Dodgeball (Hit-and-Out)

Here’s an introduction to “Nakaa-te,” a game that’s great fun with a large group.

Many of you may have played it when you were little.

While the finer rules can vary by age and experience, the basic idea is simple: players are divided into those inside and outside a boundary, and the people on the outside throw a ball to try to hit the people on the inside.

You can tweak it endlessly—make the boundary a square or a circle, use a larger or smaller ball, and so on.

If any children are afraid of getting hit, try using a soft ball so it doesn’t hurt.

You can play with as few as three people, so give it a try!

Color ball play

Color Ball Play! [Ages 1–2] | Taishogawa Yūiku-en [Daycare/Kindergarten Event]

Play with colorful balls that children love is so appealing.

When you dump the balls out of the box all at once to make a wave of balls, the kids are thrilled by the movement of the colorful balls.

Using color balls sparks interest in colors and, by tracking them with their eyes, also helps develop eye movement.

Grasping, holding, and throwing the balls stimulates fine motor skills and arm movements.

Counting the color balls out loud together—how many there are—also creates a great opportunity to learn numbers.

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mayumi

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Throwing honeycomb balls through a hoop

[Halloween Play] Spiderweb Ball Toss (for ages around 2 through elementary school) Halloween kids activity, kindergarten, nursery school, Halloween party, easy craft play

Great for Halloween too! Here’s an idea for a game where you make a spiderweb with a hula hoop and throw balls at it.

You’ll need a hula hoop, clear tape, black construction paper, scissors or a craft knife, and colorful balls.

Use the black construction paper to make a spiderweb and a spider.

Attach strips of clear tape across the inside of the hula hoop to create a target.

When you throw the colorful balls, it looks like they get caught in the web, which is really fun! If you don’t have a hula hoop, you can make a ring by cutting poster paper into long strips and connecting them into a loop.

chimney game

Chimney Game! Ball Play (4- and 5-Year-Olds)

Let’s do our best not to lose to the chimney sweeper! Here’s an idea for a chimney game.

This is a unique game that uses balls and mats.

If your center doesn’t have mats, connected cardboard pieces will also work.

A teacher, transformed into a chimney sweeper, goes inside the chimney.

The children try to toss balls into the chimney so they won’t lose to the sweeper.

They can build skills by making strategies and watching for moments when the teacher lets their guard down.

Give it a try! If you have a large group, a key tip is to prepare more balls than the number of participants.

giant ball

Let me introduce a giant ball that kids will be super excited about.

The method is very simple: inflate a garbage bag and tie it off to make a large ball shape.

Wrap duct tape around it, and you’re done.

If you change the colors of the tape as you stick it on, it becomes a visually fun ball as well.

Hold it, throw it—use your whole body and play freely with the giant ball.

Another plus is that, since it’s made of plastic, it won’t hurt even if it hits your head or body.

It might also be fun to make several of the same kind and play with them like a maze.

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mayumi

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Touch & In-Game

Let’s play with balls and balloons! Here’s a touch-and-in game idea.

It’s a wonderful activity that helps children build concentration while having fun.

Spread baskets and colored balls on the floor, and while continuously tapping the balloon to keep it from falling, put the colored balls into the baskets.

In this game, kids use dexterity and reflexes to control the balloon while collecting the balls.

It gets their bodies moving as they play, so try it with children who are great at tidying up!