Sock Comets: Catch Them by the Tail

Each child throws and catches a comet made from a stuffed sock with a long fabric tail, which is easy to watch in flight and easy to grab by the tail. It builds throwing and catching with equipment that sets every child up for success, including kids with less dexterity.

How to play

1. Everyone gets a comet: hold it by the tail and swing it to one side like a pinwheel (2 min).
2. Toss the comet straight up and watch the tail fly (2 min).
3. Catch it any way you can: by the tail, by the sock, with both hands or in your lap (3 min).
4. In pairs, toss the comet to each other: one standing and one sitting, very close (3 min).
5. Throw it far into the "sky zone" marked in chalk and go get it walking, crawling or by wheelchair (3 min).
6. Put the comets away by wrapping the tail around the sock (1 min).

Rules

• Comets go up or to my partner, never at someone's face.
• Catching by the tail counts too.
• I go get my comet when everyone has thrown.
• I swing my comet to one side, away from friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throws and catches from the wheelchair; the long tail lands in the lap and is easy to pick up.
• Blind or low vision: the child's comet has a large bell sewn on so they can hear where it lands, and the partner calls "Coming!" before throwing.
• Less hand dexterity: catching by the tail is almost always a success; the tail can be lengthened to about 3 feet.

Learning goals

• Throw an object with direction.
• Catch an object in the air with different grips.
• Build confidence in object-handling skills.

Equipment for a class of 25

• long socks: 25
• tennis balls: 25
• fabric ribbons: 25
• large jingle bells: 4
• chalk: 1

Teacher tip

Put a tennis ball in the toe of the sock, tie a knot and sew or staple the ribbon at the opening. Mark a wide circle for each child for the pinwheel swing: that's where bumps happen.

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