Ball Harvest Over the Fence

All the children throw balls at the same time over a bench "fence" to plant the garden on the other side; then they cross together, harvest the balls with buckets in pairs, and carry them back. They practice high overhand throwing and cooperative cleanup.

How to play

1. We line up the benches: on one side is the farm and on the other an empty garden (1 min).
2. Everyone takes two balls; on three, we all plant by throwing over the fence (3 min).
3. We cross through the gap at the end and, in pairs with a bucket, harvest every ball (4 min).
4. We go back to the farm, dump the buckets into the pile, and plant again from farther back (4 min).
5. Last harvest very slowly, like tired old farmers, and we put the balls away in the buckets (2 min).

Rules

• I only throw when the teacher counts "Three!"
• To cross the fence I use the gap; I don't climb the benches.
• Partners carry the bucket together.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child throws from their chair and carries the bucket on their lap during the harvest while their partner picks up.
• Visual impairment: balls with bells and a buddy guide for the harvest.
• Less dexterity: they can throw with both hands over the head, like a soccer throw-in.

Learning goals

• Throw overhand to clear an obstacle.
• Collect in pairs while sharing a goal.
• Stay active with running and moving around.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym bench: 2
• soft balls: 40
• buckets: 6

Teacher tip

Leave a walkway at the end of the benches and rule out climbing them from the start. Nobody throws while anyone is in the garden: the "one, two, three" count only starts when everyone is back on the farm.

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