Circular Treasure Hunt

Skill: Catch, Run, Throw
Time Required: 20
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Ensure there is enough room between the two throwing hoops for participants to run safely between while passing another participant.
Remind participants to pass the ball gently to their catcher.
Equipment: Hula Hoops (3 per team)
Tennis Balls
2 Pylons
Objective:
For teams to steal treasure from other teams and throw them to their catcher.
Other Skills:
Speed
Set up:
Divide the participants into groups of 3-4.
See attached pdf. document for example of set up.
If there are 6 teams, then place 3 hoops (treasure chest) in a horizontal line near one end of the play area, then place one hoop directly in front of each of those hoops (catchers hoop). Place a pylon a couple of metres behind those the hoop on the far left. Place 1 hoop (throwers hoop) 15-30 feet in front of each set of hoops.
Do the same thing on the other side. Be sure that the hoops that are in the centre (throwers hoops), are not touching and there is room for two participants to run next to each other.
Place the same amount of tennis balls in each "treasure chest".
Step by Step:
1. Assign each group a treasure chest, and have them decide who will start as the catcher. That participant will stand in the hoop that is directly in front of the treasure chest.
2. The other 2-3 participants will stand next to their treasure chest.
3. On the word 'go', all the participants that are not the catchers, will run in a clockwise direction around the centre hoops and to the team's hoops on the other side of the play area.
4. Before they can take a piece of treasure, they have to run and touch the pylon that is located behind the treasure chests.
5. Then they will take one piece of treasure (tennis ball) from one of the treasure chests (does not matter which one).
6. Continue running in the clockwise direction until they get to the centre hoops (throwing hoops).
7. They will stand in their team's throwing hoop with their piece of treasure.
8. They have to throw it (over hand or under hand) to their catcher, and the catcher cannot leave the hoop to catch it.
9. If the catcher catches it, then they place it behind in them in their treasure chest.
10. If they miss the catch, then the thrower has to run and collect the treasure, go back to the throwing hoop and try again.
11. If there are three misses in a row, then they switch the catcher and thrower.
12. Only one participant from each team is allowed to throw at once.
13. Once the catch is made, the thrower continues to run in a clockwise direction around to collect more treasure.
14. Even though teams cannot steal from treasure chests on the same side as them, they are not working together.
15. Whichever has the most pieces of treasure at the end of the designated time, wins!
Variations:
Have more participants on each team.
Participants can roll the ball to their catcher.
After a catcher makes a catch, they become a thrower/runner and the thrower becomes the new catcher.
Participants have to hop when they have a piece of treasure.
Use beanbags instead of tennis balls.

Adaptations (General):
Consider an adaptation wherein participants with a disability can be the "thrower" without having to run to collect treasure.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.
Attachments: Download