Floor Skee-Ball: Roll into the Boxes

A game inspired by the arcade classic: students roll a ball along the floor into boxes lying on their sides at different distances, and the farther the box, the more it is worth. It builds rolling accuracy, distance judgment, and adding up points.

How to play

1. Set up 6 lanes. In each, lay 3 cardboard boxes on their sides, open end toward the roller, at 10, 16, and 23 feet (1, 3, and 5 points), plus a shoe box off to one side at 13 feet (10 points) (2 min).
2. Make 6 groups of 4-5 students, one per lane, each with 5 tennis balls.
3. The roller sends all 5 balls from the cone, crouching low with a pendulum arm swing; one teammate retrieves and another adds points out loud. Then roles rotate.
4. Rounds last 3 min. After two rounds, groups change lanes and you rearrange the boxes.
5. Final round (3 min): the group must get at least one ball into every box.

Rules

• Roll along the floor; a ball that flies through the air does not score.
• The retriever enters the lane only after the fifth ball.
• Wait behind the cone and never cross other lanes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: roll the ball down a cardboard tube resting on the lap as a ramp.
• Shy students: start as scorekeeper and choose which round to roll in.
• Skill level: anyone scoring over 20 in a turn rolls from one yard farther back.

Learning goals

• Roll a ball with direction and force that match the distance.
• Calculate and add scores during the game.
• Respect turns and roles within the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cardboard boxes: 18
• shoe boxes: 6
• tennis balls: 30
• cones: 6

Teacher tip

Tape the boxes to the floor so they do not slide. Remind students to watch the box, not the ball.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary