The Walking Laundry Basket

Each family crumples newspaper into balls, and the grown-up holds a laundry basket while walking slowly; the child, behind a line, tosses the balls into the moving basket. It works throwing, judging distance and teamwork, with materials every home has.

How to play

1. Each pair crumples newspaper sheets into ten tightly packed balls (3 min).
2. The grown-up stands still holding the basket at waist height and the child tosses from a tape line two or three steps away (2 min).
3. The grown-up starts walking slowly side to side and the child tries to land balls in the moving basket (3 min).
4. The grown-up helps by moving the basket toward the ball to "catch" it; they count what they get in together (2 min).
5. Switch: the child handles the basket (dragging it on the floor or carrying it if it's small) and the grown-up throws (3 min).
6. Dump the baskets in the middle and all families put the balls into a recycling bag together (1 min).

Rules

• Throw from behind the line without stepping on it.
• My grown-up walks slowly so I can make it.
• Pick up your balls when you run out.
• We count the ones we make together, not against anyone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throw from the wheelchair while the grown-up passes by with the basket at different distances.
• Visual impairment: the grown-up taps the basket or ties a jingle bell to it so the child throws toward the sound.
• Less dexterity: bigger balls (two sheets of newspaper) and a wider basket or big box.

Learning goals

• Throw accurately at a moving target.
• Adjust throwing force to the distance.
• Cooperate with the grown-up to meet a shared challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Laundry baskets: 12
• Newspaper: 50
• Painter's tape: 2

Teacher tip

Paper balls don't hurt and take seconds to make, so this is a perfect rainy-day game at home. Remind grown-ups the challenge belongs to both of them: they should help with the basket, not dodge the balls.

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