The Bucket Staircase

Each lane has three sand buckets in a row, each one step farther away, and children try to land a beanbag in every step of the staircase, from nearest to farthest. It builds force control and personal challenges.

How to play

1. Set up four lanes with three buckets in a row in each: near, middle and far; mark the throwing line with chalk (2 min).
2. Each child tosses three beanbags underhand, one at each bucket, starting with the closest (3 min).
3. Land one in the first bucket and you try the second; land the second and you try the third: everyone climbs their own staircase (3 min).
4. Now throw overhand, hand by your ear, at the same buckets (3 min).
5. Collect the beanbags and each child tells the teacher which step they reached (2 min).

Rules

• Throw from the line.
• While I'm throwing, my friends wait behind me.
• If I miss, I try again: the staircase doesn't fall down.
• Collect my beanbags and pass the turn.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: use bigger buckets or cardboard boxes, and throw sitting down.
• Visual impairment: put a bell or metal lid inside each bucket so a hit makes a sound, and a classmate claps next to the bucket.
• Less dexterity: use shoe boxes or wide tubs instead of buckets.

Learning goals

• Adjust throwing force to different distances.
• Throw underhand and overhand into a container.
• Set and reach a personal goal.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sand buckets: 12
• beanbags: 25
• chalk: 1

Teacher tip

Weigh down the bottom of each bucket (tape a beanbag inside) so they don't tip over. Stress that each child only competes with their own staircase.

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