Ball skillsAges 4 to 64 to 16 children (pax)8 to 12 min

Rolling Bowling

Bowling with skittles or plastic bottles. Set up the triangle, roll to knock them down, reset for the next bowler. Counting, turn-taking and a smooth roll.

Overview

Ages4 to 6

Children (pax)4 to 16

SpaceAny space

Time8 to 12 min

You need

Soft ballsCones or markersOptional: Ropes

Flat marker cones (the low Kipsta type) will not fall over: a ball rolls straight over them. Use something that topples. Empty 500ml plastic bottles are the easiest, or skittles if the centre has them. If cones are all you have, stand them upside down, tip pointing up, and they fall easily.

Skills developed

Manipulative: one-hand underarm roll
Aim: targeting a group
Counting: score the pins

NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.

Set up

1Step 1

Stand six empty plastic bottles or skittles in a triangle (3 at the back, 2, then 1 in front) against a wall. If you only have flat marker cones, turn them upside down so they topple when hit.

2Step 2

Mark a bowling line three or four metres back. Children queue behind it.

ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move

How to play

Bowl: swing the arm back, step forward with the other foot, roll the ball along the floor at the pins.
Count the pins knocked down together. The next bowler stands them back up.
Two balls each, then the back of the queue.

Tips for explaining

"Opposite foot forward." Right hand roll, left foot steps. It feels odd, then it clicks.

"Swing like a pendulum." Straight arm back, straight arm through.

Make it easier / harder

EasierBigger ball, closer line, pins in a wide line instead of a triangle so something always gets hit.

HarderSmaller ball. One ball per turn. Name a specific pin to knock down before you roll.

Safety

Resetter stands to the side, never in the lane, until the ball has stopped.

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