Ball Slide Down the Ramp

A gym bench tilted on folded mats becomes a slide for balls. Kids let balls go at the top and catch them at the bottom, or wait for them in a hoop. Children practice predicting where a ball will go, catching rolling objects, and observing.

How to play

1. Before class, rest one end of two gym benches on folded mats (about 12 inches high) to make two slides. Put a hoop at the end of each (1 min).
2. Make two groups, one per slide. Each child gets a ball. Demonstrate: set the ball at the top, let go, and walk along the side to wait at the bottom (1 min).
3. Taking quick turns, each child lets the ball go, walks down beside the bench, and catches it at the end: "Let go… the ball rolls… catch it!" (3 min).
4. Partner switch: one lets go at the top, the other catches at the bottom with hands or stops it with a foot. Then trade (3 min).
5. Experiments: "Which one is faster, the big ball or the small ball?" Let two go at once and see which arrives first (2 min).
6. Finish: all the balls roll down one by one into the hoop while the group counts out loud (2 min).

Rules

• Nobody climbs or sits on the slide; it's only for balls.
• Let the ball go; don't throw it.
• Wait beside the bench, not in front of the end, when a ball is rolling.
• Walk around the bench.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child sits in a wheelchair at the end of the slide and catches into a box on the lap.
• Low vision: use balls with bells and call "Coming!" each time one is let go.
• Skill levels: confident kids catch small balls; kids who need support catch a big, slow ball.

Learning goals

• Predict where and when a rolling ball will arrive.
• Catch a ball with the hands and stop it with a foot.
• Watch and compare how fast different objects roll.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 2
• mats: 2
• soft balls: 20
• hoops: 2

Teacher tip

Check first that the bench is steady and won't slide. Let curious kids suggest their own experiments.

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