Cardboard Frog Toss: Build the Table, Set the Points and Throw

The frog game («juego de la rana») is a throwing game from Spanish taverns and festivals (also found in Peru and Colombia, where it's called sapo, «toad»): you toss discs at a table with holes and a metal frog with an open mouth, which scores the most. Groups build their own frog from boxes and cups, set the scoring and compete for accuracy.

How to play

1. Explain the traditional game and show photos of a frog table. Six groups of 4-5, one box each (3 min).
2. Build: tape six cups onto the box lid, one with a frog drawn on it; decide which cup is worth more based on difficulty (8 min).
3. Test and adjust: each group throws from 2, 3 and 4 meters and changes the scoring if a cup is too easy (5 min).
4. Rotation tournament: each group plays on another group's frog, five beanbags per person, and totals the points (10 min).
5. Debrief: which frog was fairest and why; vote for the best-built one (4 min).

Rules

• Throw underhand, from behind the line.
• Nobody goes near the frog until the group has finished throwing.
• Each group sets its frog's scoring before the tournament and can't change it during play.
• Leftover materials are put away before the debrief.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: put the frog on a chair or table at throwing height from the wheelchair.
• Visual impairment: a partner taps the target cup and describes where the throw lands.
• Attention difficulties: give a concrete building job, such as tape manager or scorekeeper.

Learning goals

• Throw accurately while controlling force.
• Design a game with fair scoring as a team.
• Learn a traditional game from Spain and Latin America.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cardboard boxes: 6
• plastic cups: 36
• beanbags: 30
• tape: 3
• markers: 6

Teacher tip

Cut the boxes yourself before class if you don't want box cutters in the room. The traditional game uses metal discs; explain that beanbags are a safety adaptation.

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