The Ball Comes Back Down the Hill

In pairs on a gentle grassy slope, one child pushes the ball uphill and it rolls back down on its own to their partner, who catches it. It works on hand-eye coordination and cooperating with a partner.

How to play

1. Try it all together: the teacher rolls a ball uphill and we watch it roll back down by itself (1 min).
2. In pairs, one child sits at the bottom with legs apart and the other a bit higher; the one above lets go of the ball and the one below stops it (3 min).
3. Now the child at the bottom pushes the ball uphill with both hands, gently, and waits to catch it on the way back (3 min).
4. Switch roles and try stopping it with your feet, with one hand or with your tummy lying down (3 min).
5. Each pair puts their ball in the basket and we sit at the top looking at the hill (2 min).

Rules

• We roll the ball; we don't throw it.
• Each pair stays on its own patch of the hill.
• If the ball gets away, an adult goes after it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair sits on a flat stretch at the foot of the hill and catches the ball a buddy releases.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell and have the partner say 'Coming!' when they let it go.
• Lower skill level: use a big soft ball and a very short stretch of slope.

Learning goals

• Coordinate eyes and hands to catch a rolling ball.
• Adjust how hard to push depending on the slope.
• Work together with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Balls: 12

Teacher tip

Choose a slope that ends in flat ground, far from paths and streets. Use big soft balls; if one gets away, nobody chases it: an adult goes.

More main activities for Elementary