Toss It Into the Neighbor's Yard
A preschool take on the classic "Clean Your Room": two groups toss soft balls over a low rope into the yard across the way. Nobody wins; kids practice one- and two-handed throwing and quick pick-ups.
How to play
- Tie the rope between two cones at the kids' waist height. Split the class in half, one group on each side: these are two neighbors' yards (1 min).
- Scatter the soft balls on the ground in both yards, about 20 on each side.
- On a tambourine tap: "Clean up your yard!" Kids grab one ball, toss it over the rope, and go get another (2 min).
- On a double tap, everyone freezes like a statue. Look together: "Both yards are still full!" (every 2 minutes).
- Change the throw each round: two hands from the chest, two hands over the head, the hand you eat with, the other hand (6 min).
- Last round in slow motion: kids toss very slowly, then everyone helps put all the balls in a box (3 min).
Rules
- Toss only soft balls, always into the other yard, never at faces.
- Don't go under or over the rope.
- Pick up one ball at a time.
- On the double tambourine tap, freeze.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, lay the rope on the ground and let them toss from very close.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, keep the rope at waist height and throw from wherever they pick up the ball.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, throw from behind a line of cones and switch between right and left hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: place the child near the rope with a basket of balls beside them so they don't have to bend down.
- Shy or autistic kids: start next to the teacher at one end of the rope, with fewer children nearby.
- Skill levels: confident kids aim at a hanging hoop or a specific cone; kids who need support can drop the ball over the rope.
Learning goals
- Throw balls over a low barrier with one and two hands.
- Pick up objects quickly without bumping into others.
- Respond to a start and stop sound signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 40
- long rope: 1
- cones: 2
Teacher tip
Keep saying out loud that the yards never get clean; it takes away the idea of winning. Set out the balls before kids come outside.
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