Typically, bowling requires tremendous eye-hand coordination and a lot of waiting. But young children aren't particularly adept at either (eye-hand coordination isn't fully developed until 9 or 10 years old, and we know how they feel about waiting). This game involves larger objects than the standard bowling ball and pins and is played in pairs, so waiting time is reduced.
What You Need:
- 2-3 large, empty soda bottles
- 1 beach ball or large playground ball
What You Do:
- Arrange the soda bottles in close proximity.
- Stand a reasonable distance away from the “pins.” Let your child take a turn "bowling" (that is, rolling the ball and trying to knock the bottles down).
- Retrieve the ball while your child resets the pins.
- Now it's your turn to bowl!
- Continue in this manner, taking turns for as long as your child stays interested!
This simple activity improves eye-hand coordination and visual tracking, while offering experience with cause and effect and teamwork!
Rae Pica is a children's physical activity specialist and the author of A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity, and Free Time Create a Successful Child (Da Capo Press, 2006) and Great Games for Young Children (Gryphon House, 2006).
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