Paper Snowballs and Paddles

The teacher gently tosses paper snowballs and children hit them with cardboard paddles to send them away from the house. They practice hitting an object that's coming toward them.

How to play

1. Make the snowballs together by scrunching up big sheets of newspaper (3 min).
2. Each child tosses their own ball up and hits it with the paddle (3 min).
3. Children line up behind a tape line: the teacher tosses a ball to each and they hit it (3 min).
4. In pairs, one tosses softly and the other hits; switch every four balls (3 min).
5. Sweep up the snow together and put it in the box (2 min).

Rules

• I toss softly and underhand, toward the paddle.
• I hit toward the wall, not toward friends.
• I wait behind the line.
• We all pick up the snow together.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the teacher tosses at wheelchair height, more slowly.
• Visual impairment: a colored paper ball with a bell taped securely inside.
• Less coordination: a big ball and a wide paddle.

Learning goals

• Use a paddle to hit an approaching object.
• Time the hit.
• Toss softly so a partner can hit.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Newspaper balls: 40
• Cardboard paddles: 25
• Masking tape: 1

Teacher tip

Wrap the balls in masking tape so they last the session and don't shed small bits. Have everyone hitting toward the same wall.

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