Jewel Thief 💎
Jewel Thief 💎
🎯 Objective:
To practice teamwork, coordination, catching, colour-matching, and eventually racket control through a fun, competitive "jewel heist" relay game.
🧠 Setup
Jewels: Use round flat cones of different colours. Each team has 4–5 upside-down cones representing "jewels" stored in cases.
Cases: Place the cones at the feet of one player at each end of the activity space.
Teams: Players work in pairs or threes. Space them apart depending on age and skill level. A barrier/net can be used between them if available.
Projectiles:
Foam or mini-red balls.
🕵️ How to Play (Main Game)
One player begins with all the jewels (flat cones).
On the coach’s call (“Go!”), they steal the first jewel and throw it to their teammate.
The teammate catches the jewel and places it into the matching case (by colour).
Repeat this process for all jewels.
Once all jewels are transferred and set, the players switch roles and throw them back to the original player.
First pair to have all jewels returned and correctly placed sits down to signal completion.
Coach or helper can verify correct colour matching.
🧸 Feathers Adaptation (Under 4s)
Use catching nets/ buckets to catch
Parent Involvement: Parents or coaches can kneel in the centre, helping guide them to the right colour or offering encouragement.
⚙️ Progressions
🎾 Throwing/Catching
Begin with gentle underarm throws and progress to overarm as skills improve.
Use nets or buckets for catching instead of hands for variety.
Upgrade from overarm throws.
🏸 Racket Control
Catch and return on the racket strings – players try to trap the ball instead of catching with hands.
Challenge: trap on the backhand side or one hand only.
Can use hitting tee’s for those who were struggling
🚀 Advanced Progressions
Slingshot serve or forehand rally to send the jewels back.
Use serves/ backhands (make sure
Competitive:
First to collect and return all wins.
Add a third round to repeat forward and back again.
Add a central “helper” (coach/parent) who acts as a gem inspector or black market fence, transferring jewels between players to add layers of teamwork.
👻 Seasonal Variations
🎃 Halloween – “Spooky Jewel Heist”
Jewels are haunted! Use glow-in-the-dark cones or cover them with tissue/ghost stickers.
Coaches wave scarves or throw flying discs (ghosts!) trying to distract players.
Add a “Haunted Tower” in the middle that must not be knocked over during throws!
🎄 Christmas – “Elf Express”
Jewels become Christmas baubles or presents.
Players wear Santa hats or elf ears.
Add sleigh bells to players’ shoes or rackets for festive noise.
The transfer is helping Santa pack the sleigh with colour-matched presents.
🐣 Easter – “Bunny Jewel Drop”
Jewels are Easter eggs!
Add mini bunny ears to rackets or use plastic egg cases.
Players hop instead of run; introduce “burrows” (hoops) they must jump in before throwing.
Use pastel-coloured beanbags/balls and ask them to find the correct “nest.”
Learning the Lines
Story / Theme:
A fast-paced, interactive way for kids to learn and remember the names of tennis court lines — with a fun story twist to make it stick.
Equipment:
Tennis court (full or mini)
Coach to lead the calls and story
How to Play – Learning the Lines:
Gather all players in the middle of the court.
Walk as a group to each line and explain its name, shortening each to a single word:
Baseline → “BASE”
Net → “NET”
Centre line → “CENTRE”
Tramline → “TRAM”
Service line → “SERVICE”
Alley (space between tramlines) → “ALLEY”
Encourage players to shout the word back to you at each stop.
How to Play – Call & Run:
Stand in the middle of the court.
Call out one of the one-word abbreviations.
All players run to that line as fast as they can.
Mix up the order to keep them on their toes.
Story Game Variation:
Tell a silly story, highlighting any of the line names you’ve taught.
When players hear a line name, they must run to that line immediately.
Example story:
“I had to get my suitcase out of the BASEment, then call a taxi SERVICE.
But my phone had no NETwork, so I walked through an ALLEY.
When I landed, I took a TRAM to the town CENTRE…”
Progressions:
Add a competition element — last player to reach the correct line is out for that round.
Add in fake calls to test listening skills.
Use more complex stories with faster line name changes.
Variations:
Team Play: Divide players into two teams. Whichever team gets all members to the line first scores a point.
Reverse Calls: Coach stands on the wrong line to confuse players — they must listen, not watch.
King of the Ring 👑🥊
King of the Ring 👑🥊
🎾 A fun tennis-themed elimination game with a boxing-ring twist!
🧠 Purpose:
Develop quick reactions and footwork
Improve hand-eye coordination
Encourage strategic dodging and racket control
Add fun competition to end the session
🎤 Story Script Intro:
"Welcome to the ultimate tennis showdown! 🎤
Today, you’ll step into the ring as a young champion — but only one will be crowned King or Queen of the Ring! 💥
To survive, you’ll need ninja-fast reflexes, crab-like movement, and a warrior’s focus. Step up, champs — the ring awaits!" 🦀🥊👑
🏟️ Setup:
Create a square ring using cones or mini tennis nets (or use a service box area)
Place all players inside the ring (no rackets at first)
Coaches/assistants line the outside with a supply of foam balls, tennis balls, or soft balls
Designate a safe "eliminated zone" outside the ring
👟 How to Play:
Start the match: All kids stand in the ring.
Dodge time: Coaches gently toss, roll, or drop-feed soft balls into the ring, aiming to tag players (below waist height).
Elimination:
If a player is hit → they are out and move outside the ring.
Once outside, they grab a racket and join the coach’s team, helping to eliminate others by drop-feeding, tapping, or rolling balls into the ring.
Last player standing = the King/Queen of the Ring! 🎉
🪶 Feathers (Easier for Younger Players):
Each child starts with 3 lives before they’re out
Use rackets as shields to block balls
Let them catch the ball instead of dodge
Encourage parents to join in and protect the kids
Use only foam balls for super soft impact
⚡ Progressions (For Older Kids):
Must dodge AND keep moving sideways like a crab
Add racket hits from outside (drop-feed volleys or bounce feeds)
Challenge rounds:
Round 1: Dodge only
Round 2: Racket shields only
Round 3: Bounce + hit back if you’re inside
Add a time limit for each round (e.g., 1 minute max)
🎄 Seasonal Variations:
Halloween: "Haunted Ring" – dodge ghost balls or pumpkins 👻🎃
Christmas: "Snowball Ring" – white balls only, “freeze” when hit ❄️
Easter: "Egg Drop Ring" – dodge bouncing eggs 🥚
Valentine’s: "Heart Hit" – soft pink balls shaped like hearts 💘
Summer Beach Ring: Use beachballs and dodging becomes slow-mo 🏖️
Mum/Dad Challenge: Coaches become parents, and kids try to survive parent volleys 💪👨👩👧
🏆 Finishing Touches:
Crown the winner with a paper crown or wristband
Everyone gets a cheer and optional “comeback match”
Add music to pump up the drama 🎵🎤
King of the Court
🎯 Objective:
Stay on the “king” side of the court by winning quick points against challengers.
🔧 Setup:
Use half or full court depending on numbers/space.
One side is the “King’s” side (or Queen’s side!) – this is where the reigning player stands.
Other players line up on the challenger side.
🕹️ How to Play:
1. Coach feeds a ball to the challenger.
2. Challenger hits the ball into play against the king/queen.
3. If the challenger wins, they become the new king and move to the king’s side.
4. If the king/queen wins, they stay and the next challenger steps in.
5. Play 1-point rallies – no second chances or lets.
6. Keep a running total of who holds the court the longest or most wins.
🏆 Optional Scoring:
1 point for each successful defence (king holds position).
1 point for each successful takeover (challenger becomes king).
Great for tournaments: play 3-minute rounds or to 10 points.
🐣 Easier Variants for Younger Children:
Let younger players bounce the ball before hitting.
Allow multiple hits before returning over the net (e.g. trap and hit).
Use larger balls (e.g. red sponge balls or even a foam football).
Let players serve instead of feeding for extra engagement.
Use mini-court with throw-and-catch rules before rallying.
Jailbreak Version 2 (without catches)
Jailbreak version 2 (without catches)
https://youtu.be/2Q_S_7QZooM?si=tJctFXXTmGiuOGoQ
📍 A fun net-based game focused on control, pressure, and team play
⏱ Duration: 8–10 mins
🧒 Age: 5–12 (adaptable with Feathers & Progressions)
🧱 Set-Up
· Use one side of the tennis court (or small space split by mini net).
· Split the playing side into three distinct zones using cones or lines:
o 🎯 Hitting Zone – where players take their turn
o 🕐 Queuing Zone – safe waiting space out of hitting line
o 🚧 Jail Zone – an area off to the side (can be marked with cones)
· Coach is on the opposite side of the net, feeding balls to each hitter.
🎮 How to Play
1. Each child takes their turn in the Hitting Zone.
2. They are fed 3 shots by the coach (e.g., 2 groundstrokes, 1 volley).
3. The goal is to land at least 2 out of 3 shotsin the court (adjust for age).
4. ✅ If they succeed, they are safe and rejoin the queue.
5. ❌ If they fail, they go to the Jail Zone and wait.
🦸 Jailbreak Rule
· If a player in the queue gets all 3 shots in (or meets your criteria), the coach shouts “JAILBREAK!” 🔓
· Everyone in the jail is freed and runs back to the queue.
· But there’s a twist: as they run, the coach tries to gently hit them with foam balls (or softies).
· Anyone hit must go back to jail for one more round.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for younger or new players)
· Use hitting tee’s
· Only one shot required instead of three.
· Don’t enforce the “in” rule too strictly — count good effort or technique.
· Instead of hitting over the net, roll or bounce the ball for them to strike.
· Skip the jailbreak throwback stage — just let them run back freely.
⚡️ Progressions (Older/more advanced kids)
· Make players change grip for each shot (forehand, backhand, volley).
· Add a target zone (e.g., hit into a hoop or behind a marker).
· Jailbreak only triggered if player hits all 3 shots into specific targets.
· Add a timed challenge: how many jailbreaks in 5 minutes?
· Jailbreak return: coach uses real tennis balls and must hit legs (controlled, fun “dodgeball” element).
💬 Coaching Tips
· Keep the energy high — use drama!
“Oh no! We’ve lost another one to the jail!”
“Can anyone save them? This is our last hope!”
· Use a “shield” racket when kids are being “chased” by coach balls — optional defensive layer.
Jailbreak Version 1
Jailbreak version 1 (with catches)
https://youtu.be/1mw1pGBGohA?si=XuD0DlCau3g53TY7
🧱 Basic Rules:
1. Players line up on one side of the net (the Free Zone).
2. The coach feeds balls (or players use hitting tees), and players take turns trying to hit the ball over the net.
3. If the ball goes over, the player goes to the back of the line.
4. If the ball misses or hits the net, the player runs to the other side – Jail.
5. In Jail, players try to catch incoming balls. If they catch a ball cleanly, they swap with the player who hit it, and that player now goes to Jail.
🧰 Equipment Needed:
· Tennis balls (red/orange foam balls ideal for younger kids)
· Rackets
· Markers/cones for queues
· Hitting tees (optional – to assist with consistent contact)
· Catching nets (optional – for younger players or added challenge)
🔁 Optional Adaptations & Advanced Rules:
🔹 Catching Nets
· In Jail, players can use small handheld nets or pop-up scoopers to catch balls.
· Hitting tee’s for lower ability
· Great for younger players or themed versions of the game (e.g. “Crab Jailbreak”).
🔹 One Hand, One Bounce (for Jail players)
· Players in jail must catch with one hand only, and they can let the ball bounce once before catching.
· Encourages agility and anticipation.
🔹 Hitter “Lives”
· Each player starts with 3 lives.
· Lose a life if you:
o Miss your shot,
o Hit out or into the net,
o Get caught by someone in Jail.
· Lose all 3 = automatic trip to Jail!
· This encourages accuracy and awareness of Jail players.
🔹 Double Jail
· Use both ends of the court for Jail zones.
· Great for larger groups – players hit from the middle zone and Jail surrounds both ends.
🔹 Timed Rounds
· Set a timer (e.g. 3–5 mins) and try to get as many jailbreaks as possible.
· Can play team vs team and count successful swaps.
🔹 Challenge Catch
· Add a bonus rule: if a Jail player catches a volley (no bounce), they free two players or earn a “power-up” (e.g. skip a turn in Jail next round).
💡 Coaching Tips:
· Keep things fun and fast-moving.
· Adjust difficulty based on ability – use foam balls, lower nets, or slower feeds if needed.
· Encourage players to cheer for jailbreaks and stay involved even in Jail.
Ice Creams 🍦
🍦 Ice Creams
⏱️ Time: 5–7 mins
👶 Best for: Under 3’s (but adaptable for older children)
📍 Position in Session: (after warm-up or skills)
🎯 Purpose
A fun movement-based game to develop motor coordination, balance, imagination, and object handling skills. Especially useful for engaging younger Tots while reinforcing basic object placement and sequencing.
🎮 How to Play
Circle time intro: Sit the children down and ask:
“Who likes ice cream? 🍦” (Big enthusiastic YES!)
Explain that they will be building their own magical ice creams — with each item representing a new layer.
🛠️ Setup (by assistants)
Scatter the following stations around the room:
Cone = Traffic cone
Fillings = Beanbags
Marshmallows = Tennis balls
Ice Cream scoop = Large football
Toppings = Round cones
Sauce = Colourful scarves
Flake = Drop-down line
👟 Activity Flow
Children start by picking up a cone.
Then they travel around the room, collecting each “ingredient” one at a time and carefully stacking them on the cone.
Once the whole "ice cream" is built, they walk over and drop it into a sack/bucket held by a coach or parent.
Repeat as many times as attention span allows!
End the game with a clean-up mission: encourage children to sort items into matching tubs (e.g., all beanbags here, all cones there).
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for Little Ones)
Let them collect just 2–3 items at a time.
Allow parents to help with balance or carry extra pieces.
Let children place items inside the cone rather than stacking on top.
🔁 Progressions (for Older Tots 3.5–5+)
Balance Challenge- Tongs: They must carry the ice cream between two rackets (tongs) while walking!
Add obstacle paths between stations (slalom cones, low hurdles, etc.).
Introduce a relay version in teams with each child adding a new layer before the next person goes.
Time-based challenge: “How many full ice creams can you make in 2 minutes?”
🧠 Coaching Tips
Sit them down to start the explanation clearly.
Ask fun questions to involve them (“What’s your favourite flavour?”).
Big celebration every time they complete an ice cream!
If kids get frustrated balancing: simplify, reset and praise.
Seasonal variation breakdown for your 🍦 Ice Creams game (assuming the format is similar to “Sandwich Shop” with children building cones and delivering them):
·
· 🍦 Ice Creams – Seasonal Variations
· 🎄 Christmas – Build a Christmas Pudding
Children stack red (berries), brown (pudding), and white (icing) beanbags or round cones between rackets to make a Christmas dessert. They then deliver them to Santa’s dessert table (cones or tubs) without dropping the “pudding”! 🎅🍰
· Alternative for Christmas: Christmas stockings
· 🐣 Easter – Easter Sundae Station
Kids create an Easter-themed sundae using pastel-coloured balls and beanbags (think yellow for lemon curd, pink for strawberry, green for mint). They carry the sundaes on rackets or plates to the bunny café. 🐰🍨
· 🎃 Halloween – Monster Cone Factory
The cones are filled with “slime” (green beanbags), “eyeballs” (round white cones), and “bat wings” (black cones). Kids stack their monster cones and deliver them to the haunted dessert stand while avoiding spooky obstacles! 🦇🧁
· 💘 Valentine’s Day – Love Sundaes
Children build pink and red ice creams using matching coloured cones and soft balls, sandwiched between rackets or lids. Once made, they deliver them to heart-shaped tubs or to a pretend Valentine’s picnic blanket. 💖🍧
· 👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Special Treat Delivery
Kids make a special ice cream cone for Mum or Dad using their favourite “flavours” (let kids pick their colours). Carefully balance and deliver to the family lounge (delivery zone). Add a note or pretend flower for extra fun! 💐🍦
Inside the Box – Target Practice & Scoring Game 🎾
🎾 Inside the Box – Target Practice & Scoring Game
Time: 4–8 minutes
Theme: Learning how to aim at the correct area, understand how points are constructed, and learn touch and control.
📖 Story Script:
“Do you know how tennis players score points? That’s right — by hitting the ball into the box on the other side of the court! Today, we’re going to practise doing just that. Can you aim carefully and hit your target like a real tennis pro?”
🧠 Purpose:
Learn how tennis scoring works
Practise aim and control (both forehand and backhand)
Reinforce “target awareness” with simple visuals
Create a fun 1-to-1 dynamic between child and parent
🏗 Set-Up:
Coach shows the children how to draw a line with a drop-down line, dots, (or cones if nothing else). NB if you have enough big hoops, you can use them, but you are limited by how far they can move back, as the hoops are small.
Coach demonstrates how a tennis point is scored (ball must land in the court/box)
Each child pairs up with a parent/assistant
Using drop-down lines, cones, hoops, or markers, each pair creates a target box in front of the parent (3–4 racket lengths wide is fine)
The child stands opposite and attempts to hit/throw the ball/beanbag into the box. Coach demonstrates a maximum of three variants (depending on age: see feathers and progressions) with the assistant or a player, and then sends parents away to build a box and start practising
🎯 How to Play:
Parent and child find a space and draw their own box (based on the coach's demonstration)
The child hits forehands/ backhands/ throws (coach decides based on group and age: see feathers and progressions)
The parent stands ready to catch the ball after one bounce
If the ball lands inside the box: The child takes one step back = Harder challenge
If it misses the box: They stay where they are, and the child tries again
🏆 How far back can the child move back before the time is up?
🪶 Feathers (Simplified for Younger Children):
Throw beanbags into the box (underarm)
Throw and catch, toss a football, landing in the box
Use hitting tees to hit in the box
Use a larger box or hoop as a target
Let the child drop-hit instead of hitting from a feed
Use balloons or foam balls for easier control
Allow the child to stand closer and roll or gently tap the ball
Parent can “trap and roll” instead of catch if easier
⚡ Progressions (Older/Mixed Ages):
Alternate between forehands and backhands
Try hitting the left or right corners of the box
Add a bonus point if the ball bounces inside the box and is caught cleanly
Use scoring: 1 point per box hit, 5 hits = level up
Try a serve variation: underarm serve into the box, then overarm or throw the ball to start a rally
Use a mini-red ball, and rally with the parent/ child in the box.
Play points where the ball has to bounce into the box once and two bounces on your side, then progress to just one bounce your side, then volleys with no bounces
🌈 Seasonal Variations:
🎄 Christmas: Draw a present 🎁 inside the box and say “deliver the gift!”🐣 Easter: Drop cones/eggs in the target box and say, “Can you crack the Easter egg?”
💝 Valentine’s: Use heart-shaped targets – “hit the love zone!”
🎃 Halloween: “Can you scare the ghost hiding in the box?”🌸 Mother’s Day / Father’s Day: “Deliver your ball into the Mum/Dad zone for a surprise hug!”
Introduction 👋– 1 to 3 Minutes 🎾 🥎
👋 Introduction – 1 to 3 Minutes
🕒 Timing: Immediately after warm-up, while assistants are setting up the first game (e.g. Tennis Fishing).
📍 Sit children down in a circle at one end of the room or court.
🎾 Summary
The Introduction sets the tone for the session and builds a positive connection between the children, the coaches, and the equipment. It’s calm and simple, allowing children to catch their breath, feel welcome, and focus ahead of the next activity.
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions: Circle Time 🧘
· Ask all children to sit in a circle.
· Invite children who have their own racket to collect it first and sit back down.
· If a child doesn’t have a racket, reassure them: “We have a special racket just for you today!”
· Introduce yourself and any assistant coaches, ask them if they can guess your names
· Introduce Clawdia the Crab 🦀, your Tennis Tots mascot. Hold up a soft toy or point to her on your T-shirt. Next time ask them if they remember what Clawdia’s name is?
· Say something like:“Clawdia 🦀 is going to help us learn how to play tennis today!”
· What is this? (Hold up racket) ❓Ask the group: “What is this called?” (Let them shout out “Racket!”)
· Introduce the parts of the racket in a fun way:
v Face – “This is where we hit the ball!”
v Heart – “This is the strong part in the middle.”
v Leg – “This part helps us hold the racket properly.”
Shake Hands Grip 🤝
Say: “Can everyone shake hands with their racket?”
Help them hold the handle like they’re shaking hands.
Reinforce that this is the best way to hold the racket.
Use positive reinforcement: “Great grip! That’s just how Clawdia does it!”
Transition to Game #1 🔄
Give a quick, simple explanation of the next game (e.g., “We’re going fishing! You’ll balance fish on your racket and bring them back!”)
Stand up slowly with them and lead them over to the game area.
🧠 Coach Tips
• Keep it calm and engaging – this is a reset moment
• Smile and keep eye contact with children and parents
• Reinforce good behaviour: “I love how you’re sitting nicely!”
• Use Clawdia to keep younger children engaged
• Empower parents to help their child with grip and holding the racket
🪶 Feathers (for Younger Children)
Have parents hold the racket for children or guide their hand
Let Clawdia “talk” (puppet voice) to explain racket parts
Keep circle small and short
🧗♂️ Progressions (for Older Children)
Ask: “What other sports use a racket?”
Encourage older ones to try bounce and catch while sitting
Let them name the racket parts themselves
For older children who have been many times, breeze through or miss most of the introduction