The Singing Target

Children throw beanbags at a hanging sheet with jingle bells sewn on, which moves and rings when hit, choosing their own throwing distance. It builds aim and throwing strength, and every child knows they hit it by sight or by sound.

How to play

1. Hang the sheet from a rope between two posts with the bells sewn on, and draw three chalk lines: close, middle and far (2 min).
2. Try it: the teacher hits the sheet and everyone watches it move and hears it sing (1 min).
3. Each child picks a line and throws a beanbag standing, sitting or from a wheelchair when the teacher's hand goes up (4 min).
4. Hand down: nobody throws and we all go collect; then pick a line again (3 min).
5. New challenges: throw with the other hand, underhand, or backward over the head (3 min).
6. Last throw all together: "Make the whole target sing!" (1 min).

Rules

• I only throw when the teacher's hand is up.
• When the hand goes down, nobody throws and we collect.
• I pick my line and can change it.
• I cheer when it rings, no matter who hit it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throws from the wheelchair at any line; if gripping is hard, use bigger beanbags or a ball with a handle.
• Blind or low vision: a buddy shakes a bell at the center of the sheet before each throw to help aim.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: the throw and collect signals are the teacher's hand up and down; besides ringing, the sheet visibly moves.

Learning goals

• Throw accurately at a target.
• Adjust force to the chosen distance.
• Set a simple goal and check it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• old bedsheet: 1
• rope: 1
• large jingle bells: 6
• beanbags: 25
• chalk: 1

Teacher tip

Sew the bells on with strong thread in clusters, never loose, and check them before every use. Hang the sheet about a hand's width off the ground so low throws ring too.

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