• bouncing
• rolling
• kicking
• catching
• tossing
• chasing
• throwing
• striking
• dribbling
• hard
• soft
• overhand
• underhand
• high
• low
• straight
• curved

Equipment: an empty box

Procedure: Pick up outside toys and drop them into a box for points. Or toss a ball, beanbag or snowball into empty box or bucket outside. Try both overhand and underhand throwing. Step back to toss the ball, bean bag or snowball from farther away as your skills get better.

Kick Course
1 or more players

Equipment: ball for each player, containers such as boxes, wastebaskets, crates, some open on both ends

Procedure: Set up the containers around the yard or room. Kick the ball through or into each container as you go around the course.
Variation: Make a course in the snow with shoveled paths, snow tunnels and mounds.

Foot Dribble
1 or more players

Equipment: ball for each player; snow shovel or rake; sidewalk chalk or masking tape

Procedure: Shovel pathways in the snow. Move the ball along the pathways. Once you've mastered a straight path, make it harder with curved or zigzag paths.

Variations: Make pathways outside with sidewalk chalk, draw lines in the dirt, or rake a path in the leaves in fall. Inside, make pathways by putting 2 long strips of masking tape on the floor about 2-4 feet apart.

Milky-Crunchy Knock Em' Down
1 or more players

Equipment: empty milk jugs, cereal boxes or 2 liter plastic bottles; ball

Procedure: Set up six or more empty milk jugs, cereal boxes or plastic bottles at one end of the sidewalk or on smooth ground. Stand at the other end with a ball and roll the ball into the jugs or boxes. Count the number knocked down. If you're playing with a friend, take turns setting them up and knocking them down. If you can't get outside, Knock Em' Down can also be played inside.

Balloon Body Juggling
1 or more players

Equipment: balloon for each player

Procedure: Toss a balloon into the air. You or your friend calls out the part of the body to be used to strike the balloon (like knee, foot, or elbow). The balloon can also be batted, kicked or bounced between two players using different body parts.

Safety caution: Do not use balloons with children under 4 years old. Balloons can be choking hazards-only adults should inflate balloons.

Racquet Balloon
1 or more players

Equipment: For each player-sports raquet (or, you can make one by taping a paper plate to a spoon); balloon; beach ball or paper ball
Procedure: Outside, hit the balloon or a ball in various ways with the racquet-hard, soft, overhand, underhand, etc. Play with a partner, bouncing the balloon or ball back and forth.

Variation: Make a racquet by securely taping a paper plate to a spoon or ruler. Let your child hit the balloon or ball in various ways with the racquet. This variation works well for inside Racquet Balloon.
Safety caution: Do not use balloons with children under 4 years old. Balloons can be choking hazards-only adults should inflate balloons.

Bean Bag Target Toss
1 or more players

Equipment: large cardboard box; 2 or more beanbags for each player

Procedure: Cut one side of a large cardboard box into a square, circle, triangle or other shape, or cut multiple shapes. Decorate the box if you wish.
Throw beanbags into openings in the box. Practice tossing underhand and overhand, and try standing different distances away from the target. You can mark the distance from the target outside with chalk or a line in the dirt or inside with masking tape on the floor.
Variation: If you have one or more hula hoops, lay them on the floor and try tossing beanbags into the hoops.

Beach Ball Bounce Back
2 or more players

Equipment: 2 chairs, masking tape or string, beach ball

Procedure: Make a "net" outside by placing the 2 lawn chairs about 4 feet apart and attaching tape or string across the seat of each chair. Hit, toss or bounce the beach ball back and forth over the net. Practice hitting hard and soft, high and low. If you can't get outside, you can make a net inside.
Variation: Use an inflated balloon in place of a beach ball. The balloon will move more slowly, making it easier for you to hit the balloon over the net.
Safety caution: Do not use balloons with children under 4 years old. Balloons can be choking hazards-only adults should inflate balloons.

Milk Jug Catch
1 or more players

Equipment: For each player-clean, empty, plastic milk jug; ball, bean bag or snowball; tape

Procedure: Cut the bottom off an empty plastic gallon milk jug to use as a catcher. Save the top end with the handle. If the cut edge is sharp, cover it with tape. Make a catcher for each player. Go outside and place a ball, bean bag or snowball in the catcher, toss it up and then catch it. You can also throw it underhand to another person. The other person catches it in her catcher and throws it back. If your successful, step back and try tossing the ball, beanbag or snowball from farther away.

Variations: Make a ball by crumpling up a piece of paper. You can make small, medium or large balls. Paper balls work well for tossing outside or inside. The catcher can also be used to scoop up leaves or snow!

* Adapted from FITWIC Vermont Resources