Bean Bag Chalk Target Toss

In groups of four, students toss bean bags underhand at a chalk target of rings drawn on the blacktop. The activity builds accuracy, the ability to control throwing force, and hand-eye coordination.

How to play

1. Before class, draw six chalk targets with three rings (1, 3, and 5 points in the bullseye) and place three throwing cones at 6, 10, and 13 feet from each one (2 min).
2. Make groups of 4 per target; each student gets 3 bean bags and the group lines up behind the 6-foot cone.
3. Model the toss: opposite foot forward, arm swings from back to front, and the bean bag is released at hip height while eyes stay on the bullseye (2 min).
4. Taking turns, each student tosses all 3 bean bags, adds up their points out loud, collects the bags, and goes to the back of the line; keep this going for 5 minutes.
5. On the whistle, the group moves to the 10-foot cone and then to the 13-foot cone, 4 minutes at each distance.
6. Final team round (3 min): the group adds all its points together and tries to beat its own score from the first round.

Rules

• Toss underhand only, from behind the cone.
• No one steps into the target to collect bags until all 4 group members have thrown.
• A bean bag touching a line scores the value of the larger ring.
• Wait standing in line, never in front of the thrower.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student tosses from a wheelchair or chair at a closer target while a partner returns the bean bags.
• Visual impairment: a partner claps from the bullseye to give the thrower a sound to aim at.
• Advanced students: add a fourth cone at 16 feet only for those who hit the bullseye twice in a row.

Learning goals

• Adjust throwing force to the distance of the target.
• Maintain an underhand toss with the opposite foot forward.
• Keep track of personal points and compare them with the previous score.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bean bags: 75
• sidewalk chalk: 6
• cones: 18

Teacher tip

Most misses come from releasing late and tossing too high; cue students to "let go at your pocket." If you don't have bean bags, socks filled with rice and tied tightly work fine.

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