Chestnut Stand Bucket Toss

In teams of four, students toss chestnuts (bean bags) into three buckets set at different distances and add up points for their chestnut stand. Students practice accurate throwing, controlling force, and working in rotating roles.

How to play

1. Set up 6 chestnut stands: each has a chalk throwing line and three buckets at 6, 11, and 16 ft worth 1, 2, and 3 points (3 min).
2. Form teams of 4 with four roles: vendor (hands out the chestnuts and calls "Hot chestnuts!"), thrower, retriever, and scorekeeper.
3. The thrower tosses 5 bean bags underhand, one at a time, choosing which bucket to aim for. The scorekeeper adds up points out loud (1 min per turn).
4. After each turn, the retriever brings the bean bags back to the vendor and everyone rotates one role to the right.
5. Every 4 turns, change the throw: underhand, overhand, non-dominant hand, and sitting down (12 min).
6. At the end, each stand totals its points and compares them with its own score from the previous round; then teams switch stands and play one short round (4 min).

Rules

• Throw only from behind the line and only after the vendor calls "Hot chestnuts!"
• Nobody picks up bean bags while someone is throwing; the retriever waits for all five throws.
• A bean bag that bounces in counts; one that lands in and pops out does not.
• Cheer for every thrower, hit or miss.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throw from the wheelchair with a closer line and a tilted bucket that is easier to hit.
• Visual impairment: make a sound (clap or bell) at the target bucket and have a partner describe where each bean bag landed.
• Skill level: students who hit easily always aim for the 3-point bucket or use their other hand.

Learning goals

• Adjust throwing force and arc to the distance.
• Take on different team roles and respect turns.
• Learn about the fall tradition of roasted chestnut stands through play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• buckets: 18
• bean bags: 30
• cones: 6
• chalk: 3

Teacher tip

Remind students that bean bags fly better with a long arm and a follow-through toward the target. For extra fun, tell the story of street chestnut vendors first and let each stand make up a name.

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