You Toss, I Catch

In pairs, facing each other and very close, kids toss a big soft ball back and forth and catch it with open arms. Children practice two-handed tossing, catching, and working with a partner.

How to play

1. Make pairs and have them face each other, each child by a cone, just two steps apart. One big ball per pair (1 min).
2. Demonstrate with a child: "Arms like a basket… I look at you… here it comes!" Toss with two hands from the chest (1 min).
3. Pairs toss the ball and catch it by hugging it to the chest. If it drops, no problem: pick it up and keep going (3 min).
4. Switch: pass the ball with one bounce on the floor between the two kids (2 min).
5. On a tambourine tap, switch to the small soft ball and take one step back (3 min).
6. Finish: wave goodbye, find a new partner, and make three slow tosses together (2 min).

Rules

• Look at your partner and say their name before you toss.
• Toss gently toward their arms, never at their face.
• If the ball gets away, walk to get it.
• Cheer together when a catch works.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated, with a partner tossing to chest height from very close.
• Low vision: use a ball with bells, and the partner calls "Ready!" before tossing.
• Skill levels: pair kids with similar skills and let each pair choose their ball and distance.

Learning goals

• Toss with two hands to a partner.
• Catch a ball with the arms and with the hands.
• Work with a partner and take turns.

Equipment for a class of 25

• large balls: 10
• soft balls: 10
• cones: 20

Teacher tip

Short distance is the secret: close and catching beats far and frustrated. Walk among the pairs and praise the basket arms.

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