Recess or just going to a playground is a treat for most kids. They are able to run, play and socialize. It is a time for children to come into their own and learn to lead, work together cooperatively, problem solve and interact in various social roles. Games give children the infrastructure to work on those skills during play.
Perhaps some of the best elementary school outside games use a ball enabling children to work on both their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skill development. Younger elementary school children are often still quite small not having the strength or power necessary to engage in a game of basketball. One game growing in popularity again is funnel ball, sometimes known as hoop ball or Triple Toss Up. Here we have gathered three different rule sets to fit three different levels of children.
When using the Basic Rules, we recommend that each player uses a differently colored ball. Children will then only be able to chase after their ball which will prevent injuries. Drawing a circle 3-feet away from the post on all sides will keep players far enough away to keep them from running into the post. Encourage older children to strategize with their shots to knock out their friends’ balls or to help them get the highest point count. This is a much easier version of the game that is suitable for young elementary school children. It focuses on taking turns in addition to gross motor skills.
Looking for a fun hoop game for your playground? Check out the Triple Toss Up for an exciting and delightful game that kids will love!
Plinkoball is a new version of funnel ball using multiple funnels that are lined up with each other and a point system. The idea of Plinkoball is that there is a chance to get higher or lower numbers based on which chute the ball goes through. Even if a shot is made to the highest funnel, there is a chance it will drop down through multiple funnels only giving a few points instead of many.
