Paper Tube Bowling

In small bowling alleys, children stand paper towel tubes up as pins and knock them down by rolling a sock ball with their hand. It builds aiming, adjusting rolling force and resetting the pins precisely.

How to play

1. The teacher tapes six spots in a triangle for the pins and a throwing line close by (2 min).
2. In groups of three, stand the tubes up on their spots, carefully so they don't fall (2 min).
3. Taking turns, each child crouches at the line and rolls the ball along the floor toward the pins (3 min).
4. Count the fallen pins together, stand them back up, and the next child goes (3 min).
5. Try rolling with the other hand and from a little farther back (3 min).
6. Put the pins away in the box one by one (1 min).

Rules

• The ball rolls on the floor, never through the air.
• I wait for my friend to reset the pins before rolling.
• Every turn counts, whether one pin falls or all of them.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: roll the ball down a cardboard ramp resting on the knees or wheelchair tray.
• Visual impairment: put a bell inside one pin and run a rope lane from the line to the pins.
• Autism: use a turn card with the group's photos in a fixed order.

Learning goals

• Roll an object toward a target, adjusting direction and force.
• Stand objects up precisely.
• Take turns in a small group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Paper towel tubes: 36
• Sock balls: 12
• Colored tape: 1

Teacher tip

If the tubes fall over on their own, stuff a little crumpled paper in the bottom for weight. Run several alleys at once so no one waits more than two turns.

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