Hungry Hoovers 🧹
🧹 Hungry Hoovers
Theme: Coordination • Motor Skills • Imagination
Duration: 5 minutes (approx)
🎤 Coach Script / Setup:
"Who’s hungry? Not for snacks — but for tennis balls! 🟡🍽
You are the Hungry Hoovers! Your traffic cone is your Hoover nozzle, and your small tub is your dust bag.
Your mission is to clean up all the balls from the court as fast as you can!"
Tip: leave all balls out from the last exercise and play this game to tiday up!
🔧 Equipment Needed:
Traffic cones = Hoover Nozzles
Small tubs (1 per child) = Dust bags
Large tubs (2–3 max) = Main waste collection tubs
Foam or soft tennis balls spread across the area
🔁 Gameplay:
Each child holds:
A cone (nozzle) in one hand
A dust bag (small tub) in the other hand
Children stamp the cone over the balls to pick them up (they can assist with the other hand if needed).
Once the cone is full, they tip the ball(s) into their dust bag.
When their dust bag is full, they run and empty it into the main collection tub (white bucket) and return to the game.
Game continues until all balls are cleaned up!
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Tots):
Let children use both hands freely to pick up and transfer balls.
Fewer balls to avoid overwhelm.
Let parents assist with holding dust bag or helping pick up balls.
Allow walking only (no running).
Use bigger balls to make hoovering easier.
⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children):
❌ No hands allowed! Must use a racket in one hand and a cone in the other.
Racket scoop challenge: scoop balls into dust bag using the racket only.
Add obstacles or zones where only one child can be in at a time (like kitchen tiles).
Add a timer – how fast can they clean the court?
Use smaller or flatter balls that are trickier to pick up.
🎯 Skill Focus:
Fine and gross motor skills
Hand-eye coordination
Object manipulation
Imaginative play and theme engagement
Teamwork if done in teams or relay style
seasonal variations for Hungry Hoovers 🧹🍬 — keeping the core mechanics (collecting balls with cones and depositing into tubs) but adding themed storytelling and items:
🧽 Hungry Hoovers – Seasonal Variations
🎄 Christmas – Elf Workshop Clean-Up
Santa’s elves have dropped all the Christmas baubles and decorations! Kids become magical hoovers collecting them. Use red, green, gold balls as “baubles” and “sweep” them up with cones into their dustbags. Tidy the workshop before Santa gets back! 🎅🎁
🐣 Easter – Bunny Burrow Sweep-Up
The Easter Bunny’s helpers have made a mess! Beanbags are colourful Easter eggs, and kids use cones to collect them and sort them back into the bunny baskets. Maybe add a few hidden “chocolate eggs” (special coloured cones)! 🐰🥚
🎃 Halloween – Witch’s Broom Blitz
The witches left slime blobs (green balls), spiders (black cones), and eyeballs (round cones) everywhere. Kids must use “magic vacuums” (cones) to hoover them into their cauldrons (dust tubs). Play spooky music for atmosphere! 🧙♀️🕷️
💘 Valentine’s Day – Love Heart Clean-Up
After a Valentine’s party, love hearts and chocolates (red and pink beanbags or balls) are scattered across the floor. Kids sweep them up gently and place them into gift baskets. 💌🍫
👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Kitchen Tidy-Up
After making breakfast for Mum or Dad, the kitchen’s a mess! Kids must hoover up pretend crumbs, toast crusts, and eggs (balls/beanbags), placing them in the bin (main tub). 🧼🍳🧹
Honey Monster 🐝🍯🐻
Honey Monster 🐝🍯🐻
Setup:
· Teams: 2–4 teams, each starting in a corner next to their coloured honey pot (this could be a hoop or a circle made from traffic cones).
· Hive: Scatter lots of yellow dome cones across the central playing area. Under each yellow cone, place a coloured cone (blue, red, green, etc.) to represent the honey’s flavour/colour.
· Honey Monster: A coach or designated player sits in the middle of the hive pretending to sleep.
How to Play:
1. Players are worker bees. Using their rackets, they carefully lift yellow cones to check the colour underneath.
2. If the colour matches their team’s honey pot, they collect it and place it in their pot.
3. After collecting honey, they must replace the yellow cone on top so other teams don’t know where their colour is hiding.
4. Every so often, the Honey Monster “wakes up” (coach shouts or blows whistle). Bees must run back to their pots for safety.
5. After a set time, count the number of matching honeys each team has — the most wins.
Progression:
· Stingers: Each bee wears a scarf tucked into their waistband (their “stinger”).
· Coaches (or Honey Monster) try to steal stingers.
· If caught, a bee must crawl on hands and knees one lap around the hive to get their stinger back before rejoining the game.
Variations & Challenges:
1. Monster Chases: When awake, Honey Monster can chase bees — if tagged, they lose a piece of honey.
2. Guard Bees: Add 1–2 “guard bees” from each team who try to block other teams’ access to their coloured honey.
3. Sneaky Swap: Allow players to steal honey from other teams’ pots if they reach them undetected.
4. Timed Wake-ups: Monster wakes up at regular intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds).
5. Double Honey: Hide some cones with two matching coloured cones underneath for bonus points.
Seasonal alternatives for your Honey Monster 🐝🍯🐻 game — perfect for adapting the theme to Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s, and Mother’s/Father’s Day:
🎄 Christmas – “The Gingerbread Monster” 🍬🎅🍪
Worker elves are collecting sweets and cookies from the snowy forest (yellow cones).
🎄 Flavours are peppermint, gingerbread, chocolate, etc. (represented by different cone colours).
🎅 The Gingerbread Monster sleeps in the middle of the forest but wakes randomly to chase the elves and steal their sweets!
🐣 Easter – “Easter Chick Chase” 🐥🥚
Teams are bunnies or chicks collecting Easter eggs hidden under yellow cones.
🐣 The Mother Hen or Giant Chick guards the field — if they wake up and catch a player, that player must drop their egg and return to the start.
Egg colours match each team's basket (cones or hoops).
🎃 Halloween – “The Candy Monster” 🍭👻
Teams of little witches and wizards are trick-or-treating for hidden sweets under yellow cones.
👹 The Candy Monster guards the haunted town — if players get too greedy, he wakes up and chases them back to their cauldron.
Use spooky cone decorations and Halloween-themed beanbags for extra fun.
💘 Valentine’s – “Love Bug Hunt” 💌🐞
Players are love bugs collecting hidden hearts or love notes (coloured cones) from under pink/yellow domes.
💘 A sleepy Love Monster guards the meadow and wakes up to chase any love bugs wandering too long!
👩👧👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day – “Breakfast in Bed Monster” 🛏️☕🥐
Children are little chefs gathering breakfast ingredients (coloured cones) from under “toast” domes (yellow cones).
🥱 The Sleepy Parent Monster is in bed and wakes up if they hear too much racket!
If caught, the chefs must redo the task — quiet teamwork wins!
Hitting Through the Hoops 🎯
🎯 Hitting Through the Hoops
Focus: Forehand technique, target accuracy, adaptability
Duration: 8–12 minutes (including setup and demonstration)
🎤 Coach Script / Setup:
"Today we're going to practise hitting through hoops — just like archers aiming at a target! 🎯 We're working on our forehand swing and control."
Sit the children down and demonstrate the correct swing technique and aim.
Parents stand in front of the children holding hoops at varying heights, distances, and angles.
Children hit foam balls off tees, aiming to pass the ball cleanly through the hoop.
🧱 Equipment Needed:
Hitting tees
Foam balls
Hoops (held by parents)
Optional: cones to mark out waiting and hitting spots
🎾 Forehand Technique Focus:
Sideways on: Turn your body so your shoulder faces the target.
Strings to the ball: Make sure the racket face is pointing where you want the ball to go.
Low to High: Let the wrist drop and swing upwards for lift and spin.
Finish over the shoulder: End with your racket up and across.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Children):
Throw balls and footballs instead of hitting
Let children focus just on swing shape without worrying about aiming through the hoop.
Parents can help load balls onto tees while keeping distance.
Stand closer to the hoop for easier success.
Use balloons instead of balls for easier, slower targets.
⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children):
Parents hold hoops further away or higher/lower to challenge hitting angles.
Children drop-feed themselves instead of using a tee.
Introduce a “wall rally” station — hit against the wall to maintain control.
Balloon rallies: pair up and rally balloon with forehand over a net or mini barrier.
Create a 4-station free-flow circuit with varied hoop setups and hitting challenges.
✅ Coach Tips:
Remind parents to keep one arm extended while holding hoops and stay well back from the tee.
Watch out for over-rotation — remind children to stay sideways on.
Use cues like:
“Lift the pancake” (for low-to-high swing)
“Eyes on the target”
“Finish like a rainbow over your shoulder”e ball, 2 points for hitting the target.
Hitting at Waist Height🎾
Hitting at Waist Height 🎯 – Tennis Tots Activity
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Tees / Rackets / Balls / Targets (cones, tubs, etc.)
🧸 Activity Instructions
Set up hitting tees across the space and place targets (like cones or tubs) in the centre. Each child begins by placing a ball on a tee and practices hitting it low to high with their racket.
🟢 Key teaching points:
Start in a ready position
Turn sideways to the ball
Swing from low to high
Encourage control and follow-through
🪶 Feathers (simplify for younger children):
Use balloons or beanbags on the tees to slow things down
Use shorter rackets for more control
Allow children to use their hands to guide the swing at first
Coach or parent can gently help move their arms through the swing
⚡ Progressions (for older or more advanced children):
Drop Feeds by Parents
Parents gently drop the ball in front of the child at waist height.
Encourage kids to move into position and strike the ball from low to high.
Height Variations
Parents begin mixing up their throws:
High – child must adjust and wait for ball to drop to waist height.
Low – child must bend knees and stay under the ball.
Short – child steps in and reaches forward.
Wide – child moves laterally with small steps.
Backhand Practice
Switch to backhand side and apply the same throw variations
Emphasise footwork and early preparation
Introduce Scoring
Add a scoring system: 1 point for hitting the ball, 2 points for hitting the target.
Grand Tour!🎾
Grand Tour!🎾
A fun multi-skill tennis circuit that combines hitting, throwing, drop-feeding, and putting – encouraging children to explore different techniques and body movements while working toward a common target.
⏱️ Duration:
10–15 minutes
🎤 Coach Script / Introduction
"Okay travellers! ✈️ Today you're going on a trip Around the World! 🌍
You’ll need your luggage – that’s your racket and a little bucket of balls – and you’ll travel from country to country (station to station), trying to land your balls in the centre of the world. That’s our target zone!"
🧭 Setup & Station Descriptions
Lay out a large circle (or oval) around a central target zone with 2–3 upturned buckets.
Create 5–7 stations around the edge of the circle. Examples include:
Hitting Tee Station – Hit forehands off a tee toward the target buckets.
Throwing Station – Gently underarm or overarm throw into the buckets.
Drop-Feed Station – A parent or partner gently drops a ball for the child to hit.
Self Drop Station – Children drop the ball themselves and hit.
Putting Station – Use a tennis racket to gently roll the ball into sideways traffic cones or tubs.
Give each child a mini bucket or tub (their suitcase) with 3–5 balls inside.
Children move clockwise around the world trying each station.
🔁 Gameplay Instructions
Start at a station with their luggage (plastic tub)
Complete the activity at the station (1–2 balls max).
Collect missed balls near the station and carry on (leave balls that reach the middle).
Travel with racket and luggage to the next station.
End by picking up cones and tees with the children to reinforce responsibility.
🎯 Technical Coaching Tips
Tee stations: Focus on low to high swing and sideways stance.
Throwing stations: Teach underarm technique, balance, and follow-through.
Drop feed stations: Cue “watch the bounce, then swing”.
Putting station: Use forward-and-backward push like a golf putt, not a slap.
Highlight how the height of the hit affects whether the ball drops into the bucket.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for Younger Children)
Use larger buckets in the middle.
Allow children to sit down and roll balls underarm instead of hitting.
Use balloons or large foam balls for throwing.
Let them use their hands to drop balls directly into buckets if needed.
Assign an adult helper at each station to give clear instructions.
⚡ Progressions (For Older or Advanced Children)
Reduce the size of the buckets or switch to cones on their side.
Enforce topspin hitting on tee and drop-feed stations.
Add a challenge: hit 2 out of 3 balls into the bucket before moving on.
Encourage use of backhand at one or more stations.
Add a timer per station to build urgency and pace.
Four Goals 🥅 (Dribbling Challenge)
Four Goals 🥅 (Dribbling Challenge)
Objective:
Develop racket control, footwork, spatial awareness, and directional movement by dribbling a ball into four different goal areas.
🎯 Set Up
Use four hurdles or tall cones to create four mini-goals — one in each corner of the space.
Each child starts with a football-sized inflatable ball (or foam ball).
Children must dribble their ball with their racket into each goal, visiting all four corners to complete the challenge.
👨🏫 Coach Instructions
Emphasise wide stance, soft hands, and "backwards and forwards" tapping when dribbling the ball, and using good footwork to keep the ball in range of the racket.
Players can go in any order, but must eventually score in all four goals.
Allow them to self-navigate between the goals or follow a set order if needed.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)
Use bigger, slower balls (inflatable beach balls or soft foam balls).
Let the children use their hands or feet instead of rackets.
Play with a partner — one child controls, the other helps direct.
Set up just two goals first and build up to four.
Allow stopping and starting between each goal (don’t worry about flow).
⚡ Progressions (Extensions)
Time each run: “How fast can you get to all four goals?”
Add traffic cones as obstacles to dribble around.
Introduce a defender (coach or parent moving slowly) in the middle of the court — players must avoid them.
Introduce a goalkeeper (coach or parent moving slowly) in each goal (still letting goals past but playing along)
Add reverse challenge — after scoring in all 4, they must do it again in reverse.
Use weaker hand or backhand side to control the ball.
Encourage passing to a partner at the end of each goal and continuing in relay style.
FLOWER SHOP & FRISBEES 🌸🎁
FLOWER SHOP & FRISBEES 🌸🎁
Time: 10–15 mins total (includes interlude + throw progression)
Ages: 2.5 – 7 years
Focus: Matching, travelling with ball control, object manipulation, and target throwing.
🧠 SETUP
Flower Beds: Spread round cones randomly across the middle of the hall/space (like flowers in a meadow).
Vases: Place tall cones (mostly orange—add matching small cones or rubber tubs on top for colour coding) along one side of the hall.
Buckets (Throwing Targets): Add buckets behind the tall cones for the Frisbee & Throws progression.
🪶 FEATHERS (Under 3s)
Kids sit in a circle while you introduce the story.
Ask: “Do you know what Valentine’s/ mothers Day is?” or “Have you ever given flowers to someone?”
Explain: “We’re making beautiful bouquets and delivering them to special vases!”
Children carry an upside-down racket (handle in air) like a bouquet
Walk over to the flower bed.
Carefully balance a round cone (flower) on the handle of racket to make a bouquet
Walk back and match it to a tall cone of the same colour.
Keep repeating until the flowers are all picked.
💡 Encourage motor skills, balance, and colour recognition.
🎈 PROGRESSIONS (Over 3s)
Travelling with Ball:
Use a soft football or balloon to travel with to add a coordination challenge.
To the flower bed: Dribble with a racket or like a hockey stick.
Returning: Dribble with feet, trying to keep ball under control.
Add Challenge:
Hold the racket tray in one hand while dribbling with the other (encourage switching).
Add time-based challenges or fun sounds for colour-matching correctly.
🎯 ADD ON | FRISBEES
After finishing their flower deliveries, children “spin round” and prepare for a frisbee challenge:
🧸 Frisbee Cones
Children “frisbee” toss their flower cones into buckets placed behind the tall cones.
Encourage matching colours again.
“Can you get your red flower into the red bucket?”
Technique, sideways on and flick out the back of hand
Fireworks! 🎆
Fireworks!
Objective:
The goal of the Fireworks game is for children to catch foam balls ("fireworks") sent into the air by the coach. The kids must catch the "fireworks" using either catching nets or buckets, with the challenge being to catch them as cleanly as possible at waist height, ideally without a bounce.
Setup
Space:
This game can be played in a large open space, like a tennis court, indoor hall, or any spacious area. Ideally, you'll want to use foam balls that are safe to catch.Equipment:
o Foam balls (representing fireworks).
o Catching nets or buckets (one per child).
o Tennis rackets (optional for kids who want to try hitting with rackets).
Participants:
You’ll need a group of kids, ideally around 6-10, though it can work with larger groups. Divide the space into two sides, one for the coach (who will send up the fireworks) and one for the kids who will catch them.
How to Play
Gather the Kids:
Start by gathering the kids on one side of the space. Equip each child with either a catching net or bucket. Explain that their job is to catch the fireworks (the foam balls) that will be launched into the air.Explain the Fireworks:
The coach (you) will be sending the fireworks up into the air. These “fireworks” will come in various forms:Different heights: Some balls will be tossed higher in the air than others.
Multiple balls at once: Occasionally, more than one ball will be launched at a time, increasing the challenge.
Spin: To make it more fun and challenging, you can spin the balls, so they move unpredictably through the air.
Catching the Fireworks:
The kids will attempt to catch the fireworks. The rules are simple:They must try to catch them at waist height, which will encourage good body positioning and focus on agility.
Ideally, the child will catch the ball without a bounce. If the ball bounces before they catch it, they still get a point or continue, but it’s a little more challenging when they try to catch it without a bounce.
Variations:
Advanced Adaptation: For older or more experienced players, you can use mini red balls that travel higher and faster in air but are more dangerous if they are hit
Advanced Adaptation: For older or more experienced players, you can make the game more challenging by requiring them to catch the balls using only one hand, or perhaps even toss them in the air first before catching them.
Team Play: If there are enough kids, you can have them work in teams, where each team tries to catch as many fireworks as possible within a certain time limit.
Game Mode: Turn it into a point-based game. Each time a child successfully catches a firework, they score a point. The team or child with the most points at the end wins.
Safety Considerations:
Ensure that there’s enough space for the children to move around freely.
Foam balls are soft and safe, but be cautious of any hard surfaces where the ball might bounce unpredictably.
If using nets or buckets, make sure they are the appropriate size for the children's age group.
Seasonal theme variations for the 🎆 Fireworks Catching Game, perfect for adding fun and excitement throughout the year while keeping the core structure the same:
🎄 **Christmas – “Catch the Snowflakes” ❄️🎅
The coach becomes Father Christmas, launching soft “snowflakes” (white foam balls) into the sky.
Children try to catch them in stockings (buckets or nets).
❄️ Add drama by saying “Blizzard coming!” and tossing multiple snowflakes at once.
Bonus: Use red/white balls as “candy canes” for special point rounds!
🐣 **Easter – “Egg Drop!” 🐰🥚
Coach is the Easter Bunny tossing colourful Easter eggs (foam balls) into the sky.
Kids catch them in their baskets (buckets) to fill up their chocolate stash!
🥚 Use pastel-coloured balls and yell “Golden Egg!” for a surprise bonus throw.
🎃 **Halloween – “Witch’s Brew” 🧙♀️🎃
Coach is a witch launching magic ingredients into her cauldron!
Kids must catch the ingredients (foam balls) in cauldrons (buckets) to complete the spooky spell.
💀 Use glow-in-the-dark or orange/green foam balls for eerie effect.
💘 **Valentine’s – “Heart Catch” 💖💌
The coach throws hearts or love letters (pink/red foam balls) into the air.
Kids try to catch them in mailbags (buckets).
💘 Add “Cupid's Catch” where only one hand can be used, or spin the ball like a flying kiss!
👨👩👧👦 **Mother’s/Father’s Day – “Breakfast Catch!” 🍳☕
Pretend you're launching parts of a breakfast-in-bed tray!
Foam balls = croissants, toast, or cups of tea, and kids have to catch them in serving trays.
☕ Can play a version where parents throw and kids catch to “serve them breakfast.”Fireworks!
Objective:
The goal of the Fireworks game is for children to catch foam balls ("fireworks") sent into the air by the coach. The kids must catch the "fireworks" using either catching nets or buckets, with the challenge being to catch them as cleanly as possible at waist height, ideally without a bounce.
Setup
Space:
This game can be played in a large open space, like a tennis court, indoor hall, or any spacious area. Ideally, you'll want to use foam balls that are safe to catch.Equipment:
o Foam balls (representing fireworks).
o Catching nets or buckets (one per child).
o Tennis rackets (optional for kids who want to try hitting with rackets).
Participants:
You’ll need a group of kids, ideally around 6-10, though it can work with larger groups. Divide the space into two sides, one for the coach (who will send up the fireworks) and one for the kids who will catch them.
How to Play
Gather the Kids:
Start by gathering the kids on one side of the space. Equip each child with either a catching net or bucket. Explain that their job is to catch the fireworks (the foam balls) that will be launched into the air.Explain the Fireworks:
The coach (you) will be sending the fireworks up into the air. These “fireworks” will come in various forms:Different heights: Some balls will be tossed higher in the air than others.
Multiple balls at once: Occasionally, more than one ball will be launched at a time, increasing the challenge.
Spin: To make it more fun and challenging, you can spin the balls, so they move unpredictably through the air.
Catching the Fireworks:
The kids will attempt to catch the fireworks. The rules are simple:They must try to catch them at waist height, which will encourage good body positioning and focus on agility.
Ideally, the child will catch the ball without a bounce. If the ball bounces before they catch it, they still get a point or continue, but it’s a little more challenging when they try to catch it without a bounce.
Variations:
Advanced Adaptation: For older or more experienced players, you can use mini red balls that travel higher and faster in air but are more dangerous if they are hit
Advanced Adaptation: For older or more experienced players, you can make the game more challenging by requiring them to catch the balls using only one hand, or perhaps even toss them in the air first before catching them.
Team Play: If there are enough kids, you can have them work in teams, where each team tries to catch as many fireworks as possible within a certain time limit.
Game Mode: Turn it into a point-based game. Each time a child successfully catches a firework, they score a point. The team or child with the most points at the end wins.
Safety Considerations:
Ensure that there’s enough space for the children to move around freely.
Foam balls are soft and safe, but be cautious of any hard surfaces where the ball might bounce unpredictably.
If using nets or buckets, make sure they are the appropriate size for the children's age group.
Seasonal theme variations for the 🎆 Fireworks Catching Game, perfect for adding fun and excitement throughout the year while keeping the core structure the same:
🎄 **Christmas – “Catch the Snowflakes” ❄️🎅
The coach becomes Father Christmas, launching soft “snowflakes” (white foam balls) into the sky.
Children try to catch them in stockings (buckets or nets).
❄️ Add drama by saying “Blizzard coming!” and tossing multiple snowflakes at once.
Bonus: Use red/white balls as “candy canes” for special point rounds!
🐣 **Easter – “Egg Drop!” 🐰🥚
Coach is the Easter Bunny tossing colourful Easter eggs (foam balls) into the sky.
Kids catch them in their baskets (buckets) to fill up their chocolate stash!
🥚 Use pastel-coloured balls and yell “Golden Egg!” for a surprise bonus throw.
🎃 **Halloween – “Witch’s Brew” 🧙♀️🎃
Coach is a witch launching magic ingredients into her cauldron!
Kids must catch the ingredients (foam balls) in cauldrons (buckets) to complete the spooky spell.
💀 Use glow-in-the-dark or orange/green foam balls for eerie effect.
💘 **Valentine’s – “Heart Catch” 💖💌
The coach throws hearts or love letters (pink/red foam balls) into the air.
Kids try to catch them in mailbags (buckets).
💘 Add “Cupid's Catch” where only one hand can be used, or spin the ball like a flying kiss!
👨👩👧👦 **Mother’s/Father’s Day – “Breakfast Catch!” 🍳☕
Pretend you're launching parts of a breakfast-in-bed tray!
Foam balls = croissants, toast, or cups of tea, and kids have to catch them in serving trays.
☕ Can play a version where parents throw and kids catch to “serve them breakfast.”
Hitting Stations 🎯
Hitting Stations 🎯
Purpose: Maximise hitting repetition and technique development through multiple live-feed stations while minimising queues and keeping children engaged.
🧠 Coaching Focus:
Promote low-to-high swing path for topspin
Contact at waist height out in front
Footwork to adjust position and balance
Eyes on the ball and recovery after each shot
🏗️ Set-Up Instructions:
Divide the space into multiple stations, all designed for hitting — ideally arranged to hit towards the middle of the space or safely away from each other.
Each station should have:
A feeder/ feeders (assistant coach, parent, or older child)
Nets or barriers for target and containment
Soft balls for most stations (mini red or foam)
Suggested Stations:
🎾 Forehand feed – with assistant or parent feeding
🔁 Backhand feed
🦞 Lenny the Lobster (ball machine)
🎯 Target hitting (e.g., aim at cones or hoops)
🌀 Spin machine or self-fed tees
✋ Throw & hit (throw then strike)
☄️ Serve station with soft balls
Position spin machines and hitting tees around the edge for children waiting or rotating.
🔁 Rotation Flow:
Children hit 5 shots per turn (e.g. 5 forehands)
Then rotate clockwise or as directed by the coach
On the second circuit, switch shot type (e.g. 5 backhands)
✅ Try to give each child two turns per station
✅ Keep queues short — 2 children max per station
🛟 Safety First:
Always hit away from others (position feeders and targets carefully)
Use soft foam balls or mini red balls for most stations
Use smaller hard balls for Lenny the Lobster only
Do not use mini red balls in Lenny – it causes belt wear
Ensure children know to only retrieve balls when play is paused, and not walk in front of Lenny, or put their hands in Lenny. Please note that if using the remote on Lenny and pausing it, the wheels keep spinning, which is dangerous. Please turn it off at the power when not using it for any length of time.
🧩 Staffing Tips:
Assign at least one coach to walk between stations, offering technical feedback
Let parents feed underarm or from bounce — ideal for lower-pressure learning
Encourage all helpers to praise effort and reinforce coaching points
🌟 Optional Add-Ons:
⏱️ Timed stations with whistle rotations (1–2 mins each)
🏆 Add fun challenges like “hit the cone” or “how many in the hoop?”
📸 Take videos of a few great shots for fun feedback at the end
Ten-pin Tennis 🎾 🤾♂️🎳💥
Ten-pin Tennis 🎾 🤾♂️🎳💥
Set-up
· Create a traffic grid using cones: two horizontal lines of cones at either end of the space and two vertical lines in between, forming three alleys. Note put a line of round cones at the end of the alley to stop and hit from.
· Place all the spare rackets (butt end up) at the far end of each alley to act as skittles.
o Tip: You can swap rackets for tees or upright foam targets for variety.
How to Play:
1. Coaches demonstrate with an inflatable ball.
2. Player starts at the baseline and dribbles the ball hockey-style with their racket, keeping inside one alley.
3. When they reach the end, they bowl:
o Pick up the ball.
o Drop it, let it bounce once, and hit it towards the skittles.
o Aim to knock down as many as possible.
Note, younger Tots may want to hit it along the ground or carry the ball and roll/ throw the ball at the skittles.
4. After bowling, the player runs back to collect another ball and repeats in the same or a different alley, or carry their ball back to the start of the alley.
5. Alternate between forehands and backhands each turn.
Coaching Tips
· Emphasise control over speed when dribbling.
· Show correct grip for both forehand and backhand bowling shots.
· Encourage aiming for specific skittles rather than just the whole group.
Variations & Challenges
1. One Alley Each: Allocate one alley per team and see which team can clear all skittles first.
2. Timed Challenge: Players have 60 seconds to knock down as many skittles as possible.
3. Mixed Bowling Styles: Forehand only, backhand only, or alternate after every attempt.
4. Obstacle Alley: Add mini hurdles, cones, or zig-zag gates to dribble around before bowling.
5. Target Bonus: Place a bigger target or hoop behind the skittles—hit it for bonus points.
6. Moving Skittles: Have another player slowly walk a foam skittle across the alley for extra challenge.
7. Reverse Run: After bowling, players have to dribble the ball backwards to the start.
Broken Forest🌲🎾🍎👹
Broken Forest 🌲🎾🍎👹
Story Setup:
The trolls have knocked down the forest and stolen the fruit! Some trees have survived, but they need the stolen fruits to survive.
Your job: sneak through the broken forest, collect the fallen fruit, and return it to the remaining trees without waking the trolls.
Equipment:
· Broken trees: Traffic cones tipped on their side, scattered to make a “forest” maze.
· Fruit: Round dome cones in various colours, placed beyond the forest.
· Healthy trees: Tall, upright traffic cones at the far end, one per fruit colour.
How to Play:
1. Start: Children begin at one side of the broken forest.
2. Through the Forest:
o Players weave through the “trees” without knocking them over.
3. Collecting Fruit:
o At the far side, they find the fallen fruit (round cones).
o They can push from behind with their racket or drag from the front, but cannot use hands.
4. Return Journey:
o Carefully guide the fruit back through the forest.
5. Delivery:
o Match the fruit colour to the correct “healthy tree” (tall cone) and place it there.
Progressions:
1. Troll Guards: Coaches or players act as trolls who try to steal fruit from anyone carrying it.
2. Touch Penalty: If a player touches a tree, they must return to the start.
3. Timed Rescue: Teams have 2 minutes to collect as much fruit as possible.
4. Double Fruit: Allow players to try and carry two fruits at once (more risk, more reward).
5. Reverse Run: Trolls can only steal fruit inside the forest — encourage careful dodging.
Variations:
· Relay Mode: One player at a time per team collects fruit.
· Silent Forest: No speaking allowed — if a player talks, the trolls wake up!
· Trap Trees: Some fallen trees are “unstable” — if touched, player must freeze for 5 seconds before moving again.
Seasonal alternatives
Its always fun to adapt the game to the season, some ideas are below but you can always try a valentines addition, mothers/father’s day use your imagination.
🎄 Christmas Alternative – "Santa's Forest Rescue"
The Christmas trees have lost their baubles! Sneak through the snowy forest to collect fallen baubles (round cones) and hang them on the upright Christmas trees (tall cones). Watch out for mischievous elves trying to tangle you in tinsel! 🎁🎄🧝♂️
🐣 Easter Alternative – "Egg Hunt in the Woods"
The Easter Bunny has hidden eggs (round cones) deep in the forest. Carefully navigate the broken trees and retrieve the eggs without waking the snoozing foxes 🦊. Deliver the eggs to matching colour baskets at the edge of the forest. 🐰🥚🌼
🎃 Halloween Alternative – "Haunted Forest"
Spooky pumpkins (orange cones) have rolled into the haunted woods! Players must sneak past ghost trees and return the pumpkins to their spooky shrines before the witches catch them. No touching the haunted trees or the ghosts may wake! 👻🎃🕸️
Down the Line 🧤 – Catch & Return Game
🧤 Down the Line – Catch & Return Game
⏱ Duration: 5–8 minutes
🎯 Skills: Catching, hand-eye coordination, reaction time
🗣️ Story Script Intro (Optional)
“Today we’re helping the tennis team warm up with a game called Down the Line! Imagine you're part of a super-fast relay team. The coach is throwing you important tennis messages (the ball!), and you have to catch them safely at your belly, then pass them back so the message continues! Let’s see who can catch every message without dropping it!”
🧠 Purpose
Reinforces hand-eye coordination
Teaches positioning and reaction speed
Develops catching and returning skills in a fun, rhythmic format
🏗 Set-Up
Children stand in a straight line, evenly spaced out
Coach stands at one end, holding a football or large foam ball
Clear space around each child to allow movement
Use cones to mark spots if needed
👟 How to Play
1. Coach starts at one end of the line.
2. Throws the ball underarm to the first child — child catches at waist height (no scooping off floor!)
3. The child throws it back, then holds their arms out again.
4. Coach moves to the next child in line and repeats.
5. When the coach reaches the end of the line, they turn around and repeat back the other way.
6. Finish when each child has had multiple turns. Give a big cheer at the end!
🔁 Progressions
1. Two-Team Race: Line up two teams side by side with two coaches — which team can finish the line and back first without dropping?
2. Size Challenge: Switch the ball to a smaller ball (tennis ball or beanbag) as they get better.
3. Throw & Move: After catching and throwing, the child must sidestep to a cone and back before next go.
4. Bounce Catch: Coach bounces the ball once before the catch.
5. Catch & Pass: Add a second ball — player must catch one and immediately pass to the next child in line (domino-style).
🪶 Feathers (Simplified Options)
Use larger balls (foam balls or balloons) for younger kids
Allow children to sit down for more control
Have coach step closer if kids are struggling
Use hands only, then progress to rackets for returning
Allow one bounce before catch if reaction is too hard
🎄 Seasonal Variations
🎃 Halloween: Coach is the wizard passing spooky potion bubbles down the line
🎅 Christmas: Pass Santa’s magic baubles carefully down the line — don’t drop the Christmas cheer!
🐣 Easter: Pass the golden Easter egg down the line from chick to chick
💝 Valentine’s: Share the heart-shaped balloon from one friend to the next
🎆 Bonfire Night: Catch and return the glowing firework ball before it bursts!
🏖️ Summer Sports Day: Each team is a country passing their Olympic torch down the line
Dead or Alive – Spooky Tennis Challenge 👻🎃 🎾
Dead or Alive – Spooky Tennis Challenge 👻🎃 🎾
⏱ 8–10 mins | 👦👧 Ages 7+ (Titans/Troopers) | Great for Halloween Theme
🧠 Objective:
To hit consistently under pressure and stay “alive” while dodging elimination. Fun, silly, and skill-based — perfect for small groups (3–6 per round).
🎭 Story Setup:
“Welcome to the Haunted Tennis Trials! The land is full of tennis ghosts and creepy curses! Only those who hit well will survive! Miss too many shots… and you’ll start to fall apart piece by piece. Will you survive… or become a ghost?!”
🛠 Setup:
Choose one shot focus: Groundstrokes or Volleys
Coach feeds 3 balls per turn (or parents if helping)
Line kids up behind baseline or mini net
Mark a “Ghost Zone” off to the side
Mark a “Revive Zone” (where revived players re-enter)
🎮 How to Play:
One child at a time steps up and is fed 3 balls
If they hit 2 or 3 balls well ➤ they are Alive ✅ → go to back of queue
If they hit 0 or 1 ball ➤ they are Dead-ish ☠️ → they lose a body part and try again!
💀 Stages of Elimination:
Lose an arm: Hit with racket hand only, non-dominant arm behind back
Lose a leg: Hop on one leg while hitting
No limbs: Sit on the floor and hit from seated
Fully dead: Lie down and try to hit a shot while lying flat 😵
Ghost!: If still unsuccessful, you become a ghost 👻 – sit in the Ghost Zone
🧚♂️ Revivers:
If a player hits all 3 shots perfectly, they earn 1 Revive Power
They can choose one ghost to bring back to life (tap them on shoulder)
That ghost returns to the back of the queue as Alive ✅
While the kids are waiting in line, spots are designated for them to stand. Kids must keep moving (bouncing on toes); otherwise, they turn into ghosts.
🪶 Feathers (Easier Version):
Allow younger players to skip stages (go from one-arm to ghost)
Let them use larger rackets or foam balls
Use tees or drop feeds instead of live feeds
Reduce number of shots (e.g. 2 shots total, only need 1 to survive)
⚡ Progressions (Harder Version):
Increase required hits to 3/3 to stay alive
Add movement before shots (e.g., crab steps to cone and back)
Add “final ghost duel”: two ghosts must rally from seated position to re-enter
🎃 Halloween Twist:
Play with spooky music in the background
Use Halloween-themed markers (pumpkins, cauldrons, skeleton cones)
Encourage kids to make spooky sounds during ghost stage 👻💀
🏆 Finishing Options:
Last child alive becomes “The Final Survivor” 🧛♂️👑
Hoopla 🎯 – Target Throwing Challenge
Hoopla 🎯 – Target Throwing Challenge
🕒 2–6 minutes | Ages: 3–9 | Focus: Throwing, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, object control
🧠 Purpose
Improve hand-eye coordination
Develop overhead and underarm throwing techniques
Encourage target-based focus and spatial awareness
Reinforce color recognition and aim
🏗 Setup
Lay out 5–8 hitting tees spaced apart across the court or hall
Add a barrier line (e.g., mini net or row of cones) 3–6 metres away based on age group
Children line up behind the line with a large hoop (or beanbag) each
Place buckets or tubs at varying distances as extra targets
Optional: Add cones that children can throw or "frisbee" into the targets
Use beanbags, soft balls, hoops, and cones as a mix of throwing items
🌀 How to Play
Children take turns frisbee-throwing hoops to try and land them over the tees
Parents and coaches can re-cycle the hoops to keep it flowing
Set out plastic tubs into the throwing space and introduce other throwing objects if hoops are limited (cones, beanbags, balls)
Celebrate success with high fives or silly celebration dances 🎉
🪶 Feathers (Younger Kids / Beginners):
Use closer throwing lines for younger children (2–3 metres)
Allow rolling or dropping the hoop over the tee for success
Use larger, lighter hoops for better grip and easier control
Let parents assist with guiding the throwing action
Play without a barrier if accuracy is very low
Add a points system for each target landed (e.g. 5 points for hoops, 3 for cones, 1 for beanbags)
Introduce different distances or small cones stacked for bonus targets
Have children run and collect the object they hit as a relay
Add time challenges (e.g. “How many targets can you hit in 30 seconds?”)
Make them use non-dominant hand or throw with one foot off the ground
🎃 Seasonal Variations:
🎃 Halloween: Call it “Pumpkin Toss” — hoops are magic rings to trap spooky ghosts (draw faces on tees)
🎄 Christmas: Use green/red hoops for “Elf Ring Toss” — hitting tees are presents to wrap
🐣 Easter: “Bunny Hoopla” — children toss pastel hoops over “giant eggs” (decorate the tees)
❤️ Valentine’s: “Heart Toss” — hoops represent love rings to land on hearts
🌸 Spring: “Flower Ring Throw” — throw hoops onto flower pots or cones decorated as tulips 🌷
Floor is Lava! 🌋
Floor is Lava! 🌋
🔥 Adventure Balance Game – 5–8 mins
🚶♂️ Transition from Warm-Up:
This game follows perfectly from the warm-up, as much of the setup remains in place. It's a great way to channel the children’s excitement into imaginative, skill-building movement with purpose.
🧠 Purpose:
Develop balance, spatial awareness & coordination
Encourage careful footwork and decision-making
Reinforce ball/beanbag handling skills
Provide imaginative and physical transition to main skill stations
🗣 Story Script (Coach Narration):
“Oh no — the tennis court has turned into a lava pit! 🔥 The only way across is by stepping on floating islands and bridges! Put on your safety helmets (🎩 upside-down cones!) and collect the magical treasure (beanbags) without touching the lava. Watch out — lava eruptions and fireballs might get in your way!”
🏗 Set-Up:
Scatter tennis balls = lava
Place hoops, dots, and throw-down lines = islands and bridges
Add buckets or tubs = volcano checkpoints
Kids wear helmets made of upside-down round cones or small cones on their heads
Starting point on one end of court; destination on the other
🎮 Main Game Mechanics:
Children start at one side, balancing beanbags, foam balls, or carrying rackets
They move only on safe items (hoops, spots, lines) to cross the lava
At volcano checkpoint (centre or end), they toss the beanbag into a bucket, collect another, and return
If they fall off, they return to the start
No jumping or running — slow, stable travel encouraged
🪶 Feathers (Easier Variants):
No racket needed – carry item in hands
Make islands closer together
Let assistants or parents hold children's hands
No “lava eruptions” until later
⚡ Progressions (Challenge Add-Ons):
🔥 Rolling Fireballs: Coaches gently roll tennis balls across paths
🌋 Volcano Eruption: A bucket of soft balls is thrown in the air while coaches frisbee round cones (lava rocks) for kids to dodge
🎭 Tell kids to wear helmets (round or traffic) to challenge balance as they move around
🎯 Checkpoint Challenge: Kids throw into the bucket to “disarm the volcano” before moving on
🎒 Load Swap at checkpoints: Swap beanbags for soft balls or juggling scarves
🧗 Racket Carry: Older kids balance a ball or beanbag on a racket as they cross
🎭 Seasonal Adaptations:
🎃 Halloween – "The Floor is Slime!": Use green cones & spooky music, roll “ghost balls” (white balloons)
🎅 Christmas – "Santa’s Rooftop Rescue": Hoops become chimneys, beanbags are presents
🐣 Easter – "Egg Escape Lava": Balance “eggs” (foam balls) in spoon or on racket
💘 Valentine’s Day – "Heart Rescue Mission": Beanbags are hearts; kids rescue them from lava
👩👧 Mother's Day / 👨👦 Father's Day – "Gift Dash": Kids carry gifts to their parents across the lava
🧠 Coach Reminders:
Keep it safe — always check islands are spaced sensibly and not slipping
Get into character — volcanoes, fire monsters, or rescue leaders!
Encourage teamwork by letting kids help each other cross
Fruit Salad 🍓🍌🍏– Fun Volleying Game
🍓🍌🍏 Fruit Salad – Fun Volleying Game
Duration: 8–10 minutes
Ideal Age: 4–9 years (Tots & Titans)
Focus: Volleying technique, reaction speed, footwork, and fun movement
🎾 What is a Volley?
Explain to the children:
"A volley is when we hit the ball before it bounces, right up close to the net! It’s a short punch with the racket — not a big swing. Just like licking a lollipop 🍭 — racket up in front, and push forward with your feet."
🏗 Set-Up
🧍♂️ Line kids up 2m from the net (use floor spots or cones).
🟡 Place another line or row of cones 1m from the net — this is where volleys are hit.
✂️ Split the group depending on number of feeders (approx. 5:1 ratio).
For example, with 15 kids and 3 coaches/parents, make 3 groups of 5.
🍌🍎🍓 Name the groups after fruits (Bananas, Apples, Strawberries, etc.)
🎮 How to Play
🧍♂️ Kids begin on the first line, facing the back fence and dancing on their toes.
🍎 Coach calls a fruit: “Bananas!” – those children turn around and march quickly to the front line.
💥 Coach feeds a gentle ball for them to volley back (either forehand or backhand volley).
🔁 Once the volley is done, the child returns to the first line.
🍉 This continues with different fruit names being called.
🥗 When coach shouts “Fruit Salad!” – all children must run to the back fence and back again
while coaches try to “tag” them with soft balls (or throw gently at their feet like dodgeball).😄 Repeat for several rounds – keep energy and laughter high!
✋ Coaching Points
🍭 Racket up like a lollipop in front of the face
🚫 No backswing – just a short punch
🚶♂️ Use small forward steps with feet – like walking through a puddle
🧍 Stay balanced and upright
🎯 Try to tap the ball with middle of the racket
🪶 Feathers (Younger/Beginner Tots)
✅ Allow volleys to bounce once before contact
👩👦 Have parents assist child by holding hand or guiding racket
🧸 Use balloons or foam balls for slower flight
🟢 Let them catch the ball instead of volleying if coordination is tough
🛑 Slow the pace — call fruits one by one with more time to reset
⚡ Progressions (Older Kids/Titans)
🔁 Add backhand volleys alternating with forehands/ smashes
🎯 Add target areas to aim for (cones/hoops)
🏃 Add a jump over a mini hurdle before stepping into the volley
⏱️ Make it timed — how many good volleys in 60 seconds
🥎 Coaches can increase speed/difficulty of feeds
🔄 After volleying, player switches groups and rotates through
🎉 Seasonal Variations
🎅 Christmas: Call out "Santa, Snowman, Reindeer" instead of fruits
🐣 Easter: “Bunnies, Chicks, Eggs”
🎃 Halloween: “Ghosts, Witches, Pumpkins” – “Haunted House!” instead of Fruit Salad
💘 Valentine’s: “Hearts, Roses, Chocolates” – “Valentine’s Day!” as the run cue
👩👦 Mother’s Day/Father’s Day: Groups named after family members – “Family Run!” for group dash
🏁 Wrap-Up
👏 Celebrate with big claps after each round
🧹 Kids help tidy up cones/balls
🎽 End with a final “Fruit Salad” dash and maybe a silly dance at the end!
Forehands – Teaching Guide 🎾
🎾 Forehands – Tennis Tots Teaching Guide
The forehand is often the first shot a child learns in tennis. It's easier than the serve and forms the foundation for many other strokes. Developing strong, fun forehands at this stage builds confidence and enjoyment early on.
👀 Demonstrate!
Children learn by watching. Please demonstrate a forehand at every level – kids mirror what they see!
🛠️ Hitting Tees – Technique Focus
Hitting tees are essential for younger children. They keep the ball still and allow consistent contact at the right height.
🧒 Use for ages walking to 4 years old
🎂 Ages 4–5 can begin live feeding (drop feeds, coach feeds, and basic rallying)
🔄 Rotate children through stations to reduce waiting and increase reps
🧍♂️ Key Technical Points:
📏 Sideways-on stance
🌈 Low to high swing path – like brushing a rainbow
🎯 Contact in the middle of the strings
🤝 Shake-hands grip at bottom of racket
✋ One or two hands – let them explore!
🟢 Use spots on the floor for foot placement
🪶 Feathers (Beginner/Younger Tots)
🎯 Stationary balls on tees
🤝 One-to-one parent support
✋ Gently guide racket hand
🎉 Celebrate ANY contact – big reactions build confidence!
⚡ Progressions (Older/Advanced Tots)
🔽 Drop feeds by coach or parent
🌀 Try brushing for topspin with “spin machines” (foam balls on string, etc.)
✋ Encourage one-handed hitting if ready
🔄 Add a loop in backswing for rhythm
🎯 Focus on target hitting
🤝 Start cooperative rallying over mini nets
🎾 Confident parents/coaches feed to different zones
🧰 Equipment Checklist
🏷️ Tennis tees
🏸 Rackets (17”, 19”, 21”, 23” recommended)
🎾 Foam balls (thick + thin), mini red balls
🟡 Floor spots
🌀 Spin machines / suspended balls (optional)
🏗️ Hoops, cones, mini nets
🎤 Final Coach Note
This section is free-flowing – you’ll often have a wide range of ability levels. Some kids will still be on tees, others might be rallying or even volleying.
✅ Use the parents – coach them on how to challenge their own child.
✅ Aim to interact with every child – offer simple, specific praise or guidance.
✅ Keep it positive and high energy!