Balance Knock Down

Skill: Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Ensure participants are not standing in the hoop and balloon area when beanbags are being thrown.
Balloons may pop, so be prepared for the noise and have extra balloons.
Equipment: Balloons
Markers
String
Hoops
Cones
Tape
Beanbags/ping pong balls
Objective:
Participants throw objects trying to hit balloons to get the points written on the balloon.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Blow up the balloons and write a point denomination on each balloon. Have 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 point balloons.
Scatter hoops in an open space.
Tie a string to each balloon and to a hoop, and use tape to make sure they're secure (could have more than one balloon attached to each hoop).
Divide participants into groups of 3-4 participants.
Set up different throwing cones or a throwing line 10-15 feet away from the hoops and balloons.
Step by Step:
1. Each participant or each group will have their own coloured beanbags, or their own ping pong balls.
2. Participants have to try to hit the balloons in order to get points.
3. When a participant hits a balloon, they, or their group gets the amount of points that is written on the balloon.
4. If the participant gets their beanbag inside a hoop and doesn't hit a balloon, then that is worth 50 points (no matter the points on the balloon attached to the hoop).
5. The first group or participant to get a certain amount of points, wins!
6. If it is too hard to hit the balloons, then participants throw the beanbags inside the hoops and get the points on the balloon that is attached to the hoop.
Variations:
Instead of points, write letters or numbers on balloons. The leader will tell participants which letter or number to aim for. If they have to spell a word and hit all the letters they need to spell the word.
Or participants have to hit the balloon with their hand. The leader will say a letter or number they have to hit and participants will run into the hoop and balloon city and hit the correct balloon.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.