Snowballs at the Snowman

Tape a giant snowman drawn on butcher paper to the wall, and children throw paper balls at it overhand to give it a "snowy hug." It works on one-handed overhand throwing at a vertical target.

How to play

1. Tape the snowman to the wall and mark a line on the floor two or three steps away; each child takes two paper balls (2 min).
2. The teacher models the throw: arm back by your ear, eyes on the snowman, throw forward (3 min).
3. Everyone throws at the snowman's tummy at the same time, picks up the balls that fall and goes back to the line (3 min).
4. Try to hit the head, the carrot nose and the buttons, as the teacher calls them (3 min).
5. Gather all the balls into the baskets as if shoveling snow (2 min).

Rules

• Throw from the line, never closer.
• Throw only at the snowman, never at friends.
• When the teacher says "Snow stop!", stop throwing and pick up.
• Only pick up when no one is throwing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child throws from their wheelchair with the snowman lower and closer.
• Hearing impairment: the "Snow stop!" signal is arms stretched out to the sides.
• Autism: the child throws from one end of the line with fewer kids around and their own basket of balls.

Learning goals

• Practice one-handed overhand throwing.
• Aim at a vertical target and name its parts.
• Respond to the stop signal so everyone collects safely.

Equipment for a class of 25

• butcher paper: 1
• paper balls: 50
• tape: 1
• baskets: 2

Teacher tip

Use an "everyone throws, everyone collects" rule with a clear signal so no one picks up while others are throwing. Balls from the Paper Ball Factory work perfectly.

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