Run The Gauntlet

https://youtu.be/wAqA4ptPoxw?si=j18RtjVKxpA3ftbV

🎯 Purpose:Fun game to burn energy and keep kids engaged at the end of a session.

🧠 Set-up

🏟️ Use a hall, court or open indoor space

🎯 Mark out a channel or corridor down the middle using cones, lines or throw-down markers

🎾 Scatter a pile of soft balls or foam balls to one side

🚀 How to Play

🧒 Children line up at one end of the corridor

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents kneel or stand along both sides of the corridor, holding soft balls

On “Go!” 👉 children run, skip or jump through the gauntlet

👨‍👩‍👦 Parents gently roll balls across the corridor, aiming to “tag” kids below the knees

⛔ If a child is hit — they freeze for 3 seconds or do a silly dance, then continue!

🔁 Progressions & Variations

‍ ‍🔄 Swap roles: Parents run, kids roll

👟 Coaches run while kids roll and cheer!

🏃‍♂️ Add movement types: hopping, crab walk, skipping

⏱️ Add a “timer” challenge — can the group beat the clock?

👶 Feathers (Adaptations for Younger Kids)

🧸 Allow kids to walk slowly at first

🙋 Use only 1–2 balls at a time to avoid chaos

🪄 Let them hold hands with a parent or assistant the first time

💡 Coach Tips

🎉 Keep the energy fun — make it dramatic! 📣 Get kids to shout out silly chants as they run (e.g. “Can’t catch me!”) 👏 Big round of applause at the end for bravery!

 Adaptations & Feathers:

For Younger Kids (ages 4–6):

• Each child has 3 lives.

• Give “shields” (rackets held out front) to help defend.

• Allow throwing the ball back in if striking is too hard.

• Use a tee to drop-feed if struggling with timing.

For Older Kids (ages 7+):

• Must hit using backhands only, or serve-only challenges.

• Coaches or eliminated kids can hit from a greater distance. From the ring to increase difficultly

• Set time limits per round for intensity.

Bonus Feathers:

• Let eliminated players earn a “life” back with a challenge (e.g., rally 5 shots with a coach).

🏆 Winning Moment:

• Crown the last child “King or Queen of the Court” – give them a fun token like a toy crown or wristband.

Seasonal themed variations for your game “👑 King or Queen of the Court”, designed to keep the gameplay fresh and festive while retaining the structure and key coaching goals:

🎄 **Christmas – “Santa’s Sleigh Dodge” 🛷🎅🎁

🎯 Setup: Kids are elves in Santa’s sleigh loading zone, dodging incoming falling presents (soft balls) from mischievous snowmen (coaches outside the ring).
🎅 Out? You become a helper elf, feeding more “presents” from outside the ring.
🧝‍♂️ Last elf standing becomes Chief Elf and gets a jingle bell prize!

🐣 **Easter – “Egg Arena!” 🐰🥚

🎯 Setup: Players are dodging falling chocolate eggs (foam balls) launched by the Easter Bunny's helpers.
🥚 Out? They become egg-launchers!
🌟 Bonus: Catch a golden egg (yellow foam ball) to earn an extra life!

🎃 **Halloween – “Pumpkin Panic!” 🎃👻

🎯 Setup: The ring becomes a haunted graveyard!
Kids dodge haunted pumpkins (orange balls) thrown by ghosts outside the ring.
👻 If you’re “haunted,” you become a ghost too!
🧙‍♀️ Last survivor becomes the Pumpkin Prince/Princess and earns a spooky sticker!

💘 **Valentine’s – “Cupid’s Ring” 💘🏹

🎯 Setup: Kids are in the “Heart Arena,” dodging Cupid’s arrows (soft balls in pink/red).
💝 If hit, they become Cupid’s helpers on the outside.
🕊️ Optional twist: players inside have to hold a “love letter” (beanbag) and protect it from being knocked out of their hands!

👩‍👧‍👦 **Mother’s Day – “Breakfast Dash!” 🍳☕

🎯 Setup: Children are serving imaginary breakfast to mum – don’t spill it!
Balls = flying croissants or cups of tea thrown by “hungry family members.”
🍞 If you drop it, join the family and start lobbing more breakfast in!
👑 Last one = “Head Chef of the Court!”

👨‍👦‍👦 **Father’s Day – “Tool Shed Scramble!” 🔧🧰

🎯 Setup: Kids are dodging falling tools in dad’s messy garage (balls = hammers, spanners, etc.).
🧰 Once hit, they become helpers, tossing more tools in.
🏆 Winner becomes “Super Sidekick” and gets a pretend wrench (trophy)!

🏆 Finishing Ideas

• Play upbeat music to finish
• Let the last round be just for fun — mix up teams or combine everyone for a MEGA sandwich run!
• Award wristbands/stickers to all participants — focus on teamwork, not just winning

🎉 Seasonal Variations

🎄 Christmas Dash – "Santa's Delivery Race"
• Swap beanbags for small wrapped presents or stuffed stockings
• Use cones shaped like Christmas trees 🎄
• Story: “You’re Santa’s elves — deliver the presents without dropping them!”
• Add sleigh bell sound effects or play Christmas music

🎃 Halloween Havoc – "Pumpkin Panic Relay"
• Use orange cones and mini pumpkins (or orange balls)
• Story: “You’re racing through a spooky forest to deliver the magical pumpkins before the witch wakes up!”
• Add cobweb decorations or play spooky music 🎃👻

🥚 Easter Hop – "Egg Hunt Dash"
• Use colourful eggs (plastic or foam) balanced on rackets
• Set out “Easter nests” (hoops) for them to deliver eggs into
• Story: “The Easter Bunny needs your help hiding eggs all over the court!” 🐰

💘 Valentine's Race – "Heart to Heart"
• Replace beanbags with red foam hearts ❤️
• Players pair up for the sandwich race – “Spread the love as a team!”
• Add a “Cupid Challenge” — hit a foam arrow (cone) down the lane with the racket

🌷 Mother’s Day – "Flower Dash"
• Each child delivers a foam flower to a big cone marked “Mum”
• Use soft music and keep it gentle – “Let’s run carefully so we don’t squish the petals!” 💐
• Parents can join in and receive a “thank you flower” at the end

🛠 Father’s Day – "Tool Time Relay"
• Beanbags = “tools,” buckets = “toolboxes”
• Kids pretend they’re racing to fix something — bonus points for sound effects!
• Add a “high five Dad” station before tagging the next player 👋🔧

 Relay Races 🎽 – “The Great Tennis Dash!” 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🎾💨

🎬 Story Script Intro:
“Welcome to the Great Tennis Dash! 🏁 The tennis track is open, and it’s time for the fastest, most skilful team to race to the summit! But beware — it’s not just about speed… you’ll need balance, teamwork, and racket control to complete each challenge. Are you ready? Let’s GO!”

🧠 Purpose:

• Build agility, balance, coordination
• Reinforce racket skills in motion
• Encourage teamwork and fun competition

🏗 Set-Up:

• Divide children into 2–4 teams lined up behind markers on one side of the court/hall
• Use cones to mark lanes and turning points at the far end
• Each variation uses a different piece of equipment
• Use music or a whistle to start each race

🟢 Relay Options:

🎈 1. Balloon Tapping Race (indoors)
• Each child taps a balloon up in the air using their racket while moving to the far cone and back
• Optional: If it hits the floor — freeze for 3 seconds before continuing!
• Great for light movement and concentration

🥄 2. Egg & Spoon (Beanbag Balance)
• Balance a beanbag on the racket and walk/run to the cone and back
• Emphasise slow, steady hands
• Try rally stance and soft hands

🏑 3. Hockey Dribble Race
• Use a football or foam ball and dribble with racket around a cone and back
• Players must keep the ball under control
• Use both sides of the racket for more challenge

🥪 4. Sandwich Race (Team Balance Challenge)
• Player 1 places beanbag/ball on their racket
• Player 2 sandwiches it by placing their racket on top
• They must run together holding the “sandwich” across the court and back
• Add more runners to the sandwich with each round — soon 4–5 children running together!

🪶 Feathers – Easier Variations (For Younger Tots):

• Shorten the running distance
• Allow walking only
• Let parents/assistants run alongside
• Use larger items (e.g. foam balls instead of beanbags) for easier balance
• Skip “return run” and tag next player directly

⚡ Progressions – For Older Kids:

• Add timed rounds — which team completes most laps in 2 minutes?
• Add a small jump or obstacle midway through the course
• Make them switch hands on the return run
• Silent Race – no talking allowed or you freeze for 5 seconds

🏆 Finishing Ideas

• Play upbeat music to finish
• Let the last round be just for fun — mix up teams or combine everyone for a MEGA sandwich run!
• Award wristbands/stickers to all participants — focus on teamwork, not just winning

🎉 Seasonal Variations

🎄 Christmas Dash – "Santa's Delivery Race"
• Swap beanbags for small wrapped presents or stuffed stockings
• Use cones shaped like Christmas trees 🎄
• Story: “You’re Santa’s elves — deliver the presents without dropping them!”
• Add sleigh bell sound effects or play Christmas music

🎃 Halloween Havoc – "Pumpkin Panic Relay"
• Use orange cones and mini pumpkins (or orange balls)
• Story: “You’re racing through a spooky forest to deliver the magical pumpkins before the witch wakes up!”
• Add cobweb decorations or play spooky music 🎃👻

🥚 Easter Hop – "Egg Hunt Dash"
• Use colourful eggs (plastic or foam) balanced on rackets
• Set out “Easter nests” (hoops) for them to deliver eggs into
• Story: “The Easter Bunny needs your help hiding eggs all over the court!” 🐰

💘 Valentine's Race – "Heart to Heart"
• Replace beanbags with red foam hearts ❤️
• Players pair up for the sandwich race – “Spread the love as a team!”
• Add a “Cupid Challenge” — hit a foam arrow (cone) down the lane with the racket

🌷 Mother’s Day – "Flower Dash"
• Each child delivers a foam flower to a big cone marked “Mum”
• Use soft music and keep it gentle – “Let’s run carefully so we don’t squish the petals!” 💐
• Parents can join in and receive a “thank you flower” at the end

🛠 Father’s Day – "Tool Time Relay"
• Beanbags = “tools,” buckets = “toolboxes”
• Kids pretend they’re racing to fix something — bonus points for sound effects!
• Add a “high five Dad” station before tagging the next player 👋🔧

🏏 Objective:
Score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball and running around bases before the fielders return the ball.

🔧 Equipment:

• Tennis racket (used as the bat)

• Soft tennis ball or sponge ball

• 4 bases (cones)

• Fielding team and batting team (about 6–8 kids per side)

• One coach or player acts as feeder (pitcher)

👥 Teams:

• Divide the group into 2 teams: Batting and Fielding

• Switch roles after all batters have had a turn (or after 3 outs)

📝 Basic Rules:

1. Batting:

• Each batter gets one underarm feed (or two for younger players).

• They must hit the ball with the racket and run to at least first base.

• If they make it around all 4 bases = 1 full rounder (run)

• If they make it to 2nd or 3rd base and get stuck, they stay there. Next batter continues.

2. Running:

• You can run on a hit or miss (if ball is in play).

• Only one runner per base.

• If a batter overtakes another runner, the overtaker is out.

• Batters must run in one direction (no backtracking).

3. Fielding:

• Fielders try to catch the ball or collect it and return it to the feeder/pitcher.

• If they return the ball to the pitcher before the batter reaches the next base, the batter is out.

• Catches (on the full) = batter out.

4. Outs:

• A batter is out if:

  • The ball is caught on the full

  • The ball beats them back to the base i.e. they are stumped

  • They run backwards or miss a base

✅ Coaching Tips:

• Adjust base distances for age groups

• Let younger kids have 2 or 3 hits before running

• Use a sponge or foam ball for safety

• Rotate roles so everyone gets a chance to bat and field

• Use hitting tee’s/ coach manually hits the ball.

🎾 Rally in the Alley 🎾

A fun and structured rally game for pairs!

Setup:

• Set up as many mini-nets as possible in parallel across the tennis court.

• Use court lines or drop-down markers to establish clear baselines.

• Position the activity near a corner to use fences/ walls as backstops and sidestops, the idea is to limit disruption of ball flying all over the place; keeping it contained.

👯‍♂️ Step 1: Friends Mode

Pairs rally together to build control, teamwork, and technique.

➡️ Start by pushing a football to each other from baseline to baseline.
➡️ Focus on controlling and pushing the ball (sideways on using forwards and backwards motion) before progressing to hitting.

Progressions:

• Control ➡️ Hit forehands

• Control ➡️ Hit backhands

• Rally freely with forehands and backhands

Challenge:
🎉 “Bingo!” – Count successful rallies.

• Reach 10 hits and shout “Bingo!” then sit down, see who is first pair to sit

• Repeat with 15, 20, or 30 hits, alternating forehands and backhands.

⚔️ Step 2: Enemies Mode

Now the pairs compete to win points!

🎯 Objective: Try to push or hit the ball past your partner’s baseline.

Teaching Points:
🦀 Move like a crab: stay facing opponent, recover to middle
🎾 Must Keep the ball on the ground
👌 Unlimited touches to control

🏆 Win the point if your opponent lets the ball pass their baseline.
🔁 Rotate partners regularly – winners move up, others move down

🌈 Rainbow Hitting

🎯 Objective: Practise forehands and backhands while moving sideways across the rainbow!
🧠 Focus: movement, timing, accuracy, tracking, confidence

🎭 Story Introduction:

“Welcome to the Rainbow Challenge! 🌈 Your mission is to travel along the rainbow and collect all the colours — but you must use your tennis racket magic to unlock each one with a powerful shot!”

🏗️ Setup:

• Use one side of the court or a hitting area
• Line up 5 different coloured traffic cones (or flat spots) in a wide rainbow arc across the hitting zone (start close to the net for younger groups)
• Mark a starting line in the corner of the court
• Coach stands with balls to drop-feed or racket-feed

🎾 How to Play:

1.     Children start at the corner of the rainbow 🌈

2.     Coach feeds to Cone 1 (closest), player hits a forehand

3.     They shuffle sideways like a crab to the next colour

4.     Repeat across all 5 cones, one shot per station

5.     Once finished, the child:

o   Returns to the back of the queue

o   Helps collect balls

o   Or hits on a spin machine if you have one! 🎾⚙️

6.     After everyone has had a go — switch sides and repeat with backhands

🕺 While waiting: Encourage “dancing feet” and quick reactions
💬 Coach cues: “Stay on your toes!”, “Paint the rainbow!”, “Nice footwork, crab!”

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications):

• Let them walk cone-to-cone slowly if crab shuffle is too tricky
• Coach stands closer and feeds underarm
• Use balloons, beanbags or foam balls for nervous tots
• Let them do just 3 colours instead of all 5

⚡️ Progressions (Challenges):

• Use racket feeds or fast drop-feeds
• Add targets behind the cones (buckets, hoops)
• Challenge: “Can you hit 3 in a row over the net?”
• Combine both forehands & backhands in one rainbow
• Add a reaction challenge: call out random cone colours instead of moving in order
• Time trial: “Who can do all 5 with good technique in 30 seconds?”

🎉 Seasonal Variations:

🎅 Christmas:
Line up Christmas baubles (coloured cones) and “decorate the tree” by hitting each colour. Can you hit the star (gold cone) last?

🐣 Easter:
It’s an Easter Egg Hunt! Hit one egg of each colour and try to get the golden egg at the end.

🎃 Halloween:
Witch’s Potion Ingredients! Each colour is a spooky ingredient: slime, spider legs, eyeballs... Hit them all to complete the potion!

❤️ Valentine’s Day:
Hit the colours of the “Heart Rainbow” to unlock Cupid’s arrow — hit a pink or red cone at the end for a love bonus 💘

👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day:
Decorate Mum’s/Father’s rainbow with special colours — one for hugs, one for laughter, one for helping, etc. Each hit is a thank-you!

🎯 Target practice game to develop aim, coordination, and correct swing mechanics

⏱️ Duration:
5–8 minutes

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Okay troops! Your mission today is to take down the enemy soldiers — but not with swords or water balloons… with your best tennis shots! These rackets have lined up and they're daring you to knock them down! Let’s see if you’ve got the accuracy and the power!”

🧱 Game Setup

• Soldiers = Spare rackets placed upright (handle/butt on ground, strings facing forward)

  • Place 3–6 rackets across from each child

  • If short on rackets, stack traffic cones and round cones into tall unstable towers to simulate soldiers

• Hitting Zone = Tees or Drop Feeds

  • Children take turns hitting balls low to high from a hitting tee or drop feed

• Distance between hitter and soldier wall depends on age/ability

• Parents can help pick up and reset soldiers between turns

🔁 Gameplay

1.       Children line up at their hitting station (tee or feeder).

2.       One ball at a time – aim to knock over a “soldier” (racket or cone tower).

3.       Hitters use forehand technique (low to high) first.

4.       When soldiers fall, parents/coaches reset them quickly.

5.       After a few rounds, progress to backhand or self-feed.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Children)

• Let them throw the ball underarm to start

• Reduce distance to soldiers

• Use larger balls for more success

• Place ball in child’s hand and guide their swing together

• Let parents support hand placement and help reset soldiers

⚡ Progressions (Older or Confident Children)

• Drop Feed: Children toss the ball and hit it themselves instead of from a tee

• Backhand Challenge: Have children switch to backhand side and adjust footwork

• Hit from movement: Add a side step or small shuffle before contact

• Scoring: 1 point per soldier knocked down, track team scores for competition

• Timed Challenge: Knock down all soldiers in 30 seconds

🎾 Technical Coaching Tips

• Emphasise low-to-high swing

• Sideways stance for both forehand and backhand

• Encourage early preparation – racket back and eyes on the ball

• Use “split step then hit” cue if child is rushing

• Praise accuracy over power – “aim not smash!”

Seasonal variations for the "Racket Soldiers" game — keeping the same gameplay (children hitting down upright rackets or cone towers), but changing the theme and props slightly to match the season:

🎄 Christmas – Knock Down the Naughty Elves

Santa’s workshop is under siege from mischievous elves who are standing upright (rackets or cone towers). Children must use their tennis balls to knock them down before they cause more trouble! Parents can help set the elves back up quickly. Optional: place little elf hats (paper cut-outs or visuals) on the top of cones/rackets for effect. 🎅🎄🎁

🎃 Halloween – Smash the Skeletons

Skeleton soldiers (white rackets or cone towers) are guarding the haunted tennis court! Kids must smash them down using tennis balls. Spooky music and “BOO!” sounds encouraged. For added fun, use glow sticks or spooky stickers on the targets. 👻🕸️💀

🐣 Easter – Topple the Chocolate Bunnies

Giant chocolate bunnies (cone towers with round cones as ears or decorated rackets) have popped up on court! Kids must gently knock them down to collect their Easter treats. Optional: place a chocolate wrapper or Easter sticker on each “bunny” to collect after it’s hit. 🐰🍫🌸

💘 Valentine’s – Cupid’s Target Practice

Cupid has lined up heart-shaped towers (use pink/red rackets or cones with heart stickers). Children aim their balls to knock them down as practice for spreading love across the land! Add red or pink beanbags as “love letters” to deliver after each successful hit. 💘🎾💌

💐 Mother’s Day – Knock Down the Flower Pots

Beautiful flower displays (cone towers or upright rackets) are blocking the tennis garden — children must gently knock them over so the flowers can be rearranged. Use round cones in pink, purple, and yellow to resemble petals. 🪻🌼🌷

👔 Father’s Day – Tip Over the Toolboxes

The tennis court has been turned into Dad’s workshop! The upright rackets or cones are now “toolboxes” standing in the way. Knock them down with tennis balls and rebuild them quickly! Add fun stickers of tools (spanners, screwdrivers) to the towers. 🧰🔧🎾

🪣🎯 Story / Theme:

A fun accuracy challenge where kids try to land beanbags into a “pot” that keeps moving further away. 🚶‍♂️↩️👧

🧰 Equipment:

• 🪣 1 tub, bucket, or large pot per pair
• 🟠 Beanbags (or small foam balls)
• ⚽ Footballs (optional variation)

🎮 How to Play:

1. 🧍‍♂️👧 Line children up on the baseline, with parents standing in front holding a tub.

2. 🟠 Each child throws a beanbag aiming to land it in the tub.

3. ✅ If they make it, the parent takes a big step back. 👣

4. 🛑 If they miss, the parent takes a step forward. 🔁

5. 🔄 After a few turns, swap roles — the child holds the pot and the parent throws. 👨‍👧‍👦

⏫ Progressions:

1. ⚽ Ball Swap: Use footballs instead of beanbags — allow one bounce before catching.

2. 🤾 Throwing Styles: Encourage side-arm or rugby-style throws for variety.

3. 🏃 Moving Target: The catcher walks side-to-side while holding the tub. 🪣👣

📖 Story Script (Intro)

“Ahoy there, mateys! 🏴‍☠️ You’ve all been chosen as brave young pirates to join a treasure hunt! Deep in the middle of the sea lies a mountain of golden treasure (tennis balls)! 💰 But be quick — only the fastest, smartest pirates will collect the most treasure for their team. Ready to plunder, crew? Let’s hear your best pirate AARRRRGH! 🗣️⚓”

⚙️ Set-Up

• Place a large tub or pile of tennis balls (or beanbags) in the centre of the court/hall — this is the treasure chest.

• Divide children into three teams and assign an assistant coach or adult to each as their Captain.

• Line teams up on opposite sides of the court or triangle around the treasure.

• Mark team “bases” using cones or hoops.

🕹️ How to Play

1.     On the coach’s signal, all players from each team runs to the centre and collects one tennis ball (treasure) at the same time.

2.     They must return it to their team’s base before the next player goes.

3.     Repeat until all the treasure is gone.

4.     Teams count their treasure. The team with the most loot wins! 🎉

🔁 Progression: Reverse Treasure

• Now the treasure must be returned to the chest!

• One player at a time returns a ball from their base to the centre.

• The first team to return all their treasure and sit down in their base wins Round 2.

🪶 Feathers – Simplifications

• Allow running with two balls or more at a time if there are lots of kids.

• Replace balls with beanbags for easier grip.

• Let parents assist younger tots with holding and collecting.

• For walking tots, allow carrying treasure in small buckets or with help.

⚡ Progressions – For Older Kids

• Add obstacles between base and treasure (cones to weave, hurdles to jump).

• Add a time limit — which team collects most treasure in 60 seconds?

• “Sneaky Pirates” mode: once all treasure is gone, teams can steal one treasure at a time from other team bases.

• Penalty Rule: stepping over lines means one ball must be returned.

🎃 Seasonal Variants

🎅 Christmas:
🎁 “Santa’s Sack” – presents instead of treasure. Elves collect them for Santa’s sleigh.

🐣 Easter:
🥚 “Easter Egg Hunt” – scatter plastic eggs (or yellow beanbags) across the court. Tots return them to their “nest”.

🎃 Halloween:
👻 “Pumpkin Snatch” – collect “pumpkins” (orange cones or balls). Watch out for the ghost (coach) trying to tag you!

❤️ Valentine’s Day:
💌 “Love Letter Dash” – collect foam hearts or envelopes and deliver to your team’s mailbox.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day:
💐 “Flower Run” – run to collect paper flowers and deliver them to mum/dad’s “garden patch”.

🥅 Penalties – Racket Save Challenge

🏴‍☠️ Story Intro:

"Welcome to the Penalty Challenge! The enemy pirates are trying to fire cannonballs into your goal! Grab your racket, guard your treasure, and don’t let any balls get past you! Can you become the ultimate shot-stopper?"

🎯 Purpose:

• Improve reaction time and lateral footwork

• Introduce defensive movement (crab steps)

• Encourage focus and fun parent/child interaction

🏗 Setup:

• Each pair (parent & child) needs:

  • 4 tall traffic cones (to build 2 mini goals – about 3 ft wide)

  • 1 throw-down cone (start position)

  • 1 circular cone (to rest ball on for "penalty shot")

  • 1 inflatable ball

• Place 2 goals about 8–10 ft apart

• The child starts on the middle spot between goals (on the throw-down cone)

🕹 How to Play:

1. Parent sets the inflatable ball on a circular cone about 6 ft in front of the child.

2. When ready, they gently “shoot” the ball towards one of the goals.

3. The child uses crab side-steps and tries to block or stop the shot using their racket.

4. After each save attempt (or goal!), the child resets by returning to the middle cone.

5. Repeat shots — aim for different goals to keep it unpredictable!

🛠 Progressions:

• Player Swap: Let the child have a turn doing the shooting while the parent defends (switch roles).

• Racket Strike Return: Instead of blocking, the child must hit the ball back using a forward or backward swing.

• Serve Defence: Use a balloon instead of a ball for a “slow motion” challenge — try to catch and volley it away mid-air.

🪶 Feathers (for younger players):

• Reduce the width between the goals.

• Allow children to use both hands on the racket.

• Let the ball roll slower — parent can roll rather than strike.

• Coach or parent stands behind the child to help guide racket movement.

🌈 Seasonal Variations:

• 🎃 Pumpkin Penalties: Use orange balloons as pumpkin cannonballs.

• ❄️ Snowball Saves: Use white foam balls as "snowballs" from Frost Giants.

• 💖 Cupid’s Arrows: Parents pretend to "fire" heart arrows toward goals with dramatic flair.

• 🐣 Egg Saves (Easter): Use pastel balloons and shout “Save the egg!”

• 👻 Ghost Balls: Pretend the ball is a spooky ghost trying to sneak past the child!

Parachute Game 🎈 

Focus: Teamwork, sensory play, motor coordination, and fun group interaction.
Equipment: Large parachute, soft balls (foam or light), optional music

🎯 Main Activities:

🌀 1. Turning the Wheel

• Everyone holds the parachute and steps backwards until it’s taut.

• Begin slowly walking in a circle — like turning a big wheel.

• Freeze! Change direction and go the other way.

• Encourage teamwork: "We can only turn it if we work together!"

🌊 2. Wave Maker

• Start with long, slow waves — lift the parachute high, then gently lower.

• Feel the breeze! Great for cooling off on hot days.

• Switch to fast, choppy waves — hold it at waist height and shake using your forearms.

• Try the game with music to change rhythm (e.g., slow to fast).

🍿 3. Popcorn Time!

• Lower the parachute to the floor but keep holding.

• Coach adds soft balls (“popcorn seeds”) to the centre.

• Everyone starts making small, fast waves to bounce the balls — like popcorn popping.

• Once all balls are bouncing:
  👉 “The popcorn’s cooked — time to launch it out of the pan!”
  👉 Shake harder to pop the balls off!

• (Tip: keep extra balls handy in case they bounce off too quickly.)

• Progression:  Popcorn catchers, have some kids around the outside to catch the popcorn as it pops out of the Parachute: use catching nets/ tups

-          Catch on rackets

-          Older: hit balls back before balls roll.

-          Two teams: COOKS (trying to shake balls off) and CLEANERS, trying to catch the balls when they spill and throw them back on the parachute; optional: can hit the ball back.

-          Optional Time Trial: time which the team gets rid of all the popcorn first; declare a winner

⛺ 4. Parachute Tent (Bubble Dome)

• Start with big waves, then on the next high lift, shout “Under the tent!”

• Everyone walks forward, pulling the chute behind them and sits down on the outside edge (underside) of the parachute

• Inside the bubble:
  👉 Whisper high fives to coaches and friends 👋
  👉 Ask a simple question like “What animal lives in a tent?” or “Can you see the stars?”

🧲 5. 1-2-3... Let Go!

• End by gathering around. Coach counts “1… 2… 3…” and everyone lets go.

• Coach pulls the parachute in for a big dramatic finish (kids love the whoosh).

   

🪶 Feathers – Simplifications for Younger Tots

• Let parents hold the chute while children watch and slowly join in.

• Use fewer balls for popcorn to reduce chaos.

• Allow little ones just to feel the breeze if they don’t want to move.

• Keep instructions very visual and animated — e.g., mime popcorn, animals, waves.

• Sit under the tent for a moment can be a great time to sing a short rhyme or song 🎵.

🎮 Variations & Add-Ons:

• 🎨 Colour Games: Ask “Everyone holding blue – lift it up!”

• 🍂 Seasonal Popcorn:

  • Autumn = “Leaf shower” 🍁

  • Winter = “Snowflake bounce” ❄️

  • Spring = “Baby bunnies jumping” 🐰

  • Summer = “Beach balls on the waves” 🏖️

• 🎵 Musical Parachute: Play a track — move slow for verse, fast for chorus

• 👀 Object Search: Hide small soft toys under parachute — "Who can find the teddy?"

👧🧒 Older Tots / Tennis Titans 🎾• 🏃‍♂️🌈 Movement Challenges:
When you call a child’s name, they must run under the parachute and out again before it falls ⏱️ — everyone lifts the parachute up like a wave 🌊 and cheers 🎉 the runner underneath!

• 🌍 Around the World:
Everyone lifts the parachute high ⬆️ and calls someone's name 📣. That child must run around the outside of the circle 🌀 and return to their spot before:
 A️⃣ the parachute falls 💥
 B️⃣ they beat a count of 5 or 10 🔢

• 🏁 Around the World Race:
Throw the parachute up into the air 🪂 and call out two children’s names 👧👦 — they race around the outside and try to switch places before it lands. Optional: declare the winner 🥇!

 - 🔢 Call out three children
 - 🔢 Call out four children

⚠️ Safety Tip:
🚫 Never let two children run underneath the parachute at the same time — they could collide head-on 🤕!

🎯 Parachute Darts

A calm, focused game great for winding down or building throwing accuracy.

📝 Setup:

• Spread the parachute flat on the ground — this is your giant dartboard.

• Mark a throwing line (“oche”) a few metres back using a mini net, cones, or chalk.

• Use coloured beanbags (ideally matching the colours of the parachute segments).

🎲 How to Play:

1. Children take turns standing behind the oche.

2. They throw beanbags, aiming to land them on a matching colour on the parachute.
   → Red beanbag = aim for red section, etc.

3. Coach or assistant collects and returns beanbags between rounds.

4. Optional: Score 1 point for a hit, 2 for a perfect match!

🏹 Variations:

• Timed Round: Who can land the most matches in 60 seconds?

• Team Play: Take turns and add up total team scores.

• Colour Call: Coach shouts a colour — child must quickly pick the correct beanbag and throw.

• Target Zones: Mark a bullseye zone in the middle for bonus points 🎯

🪶 Feathers (Younger Children):

• Let them walk up and place beanbags to learn colour matching.

• Throw from closer up.

• Use larger beanbags or soft balls for easier aiming.

PACMAN 🎮 – Balance & Court Awareness Game

Duration: 5–10 mins
Age group: 3–10 yrs (adapt as needed)

📝 Setup & Description:

This fun game helps children develop balance, footwork, and spatial awareness using the tennis court lines.

1. Each child starts with a beanbag balanced on their racket.

2. They must walk only along the court lines — baseline, service lines, tramlines, etc.

3. The goal is to keep the beanbag balanced while continuously moving, staying on the lines, and not bumping into others.

4. If they meet another player head-on, they must turn around or swap paths.

5. Introduce the coach as “Professor RacketHands” — walk behind children banging two rackets like cymbals. The professor must also stay on the lines.

6. If the Professor catches up or the child drops the beanbag, they’re “out” or return to the start.

🪶 Feathers (Simplified):

• Children can stop briefly to rebalance the beanbag.

• Coach walks slower as Professor RacketHands; NB some of the children wont like it so judge the age etc

• Allow children to walk without racket — simply carry beanbag and follow lines.

• Instead of elimination, if caught, just “restart.”

⚡️ Progressions (Advanced):

• Use balls instead of beanbags for more balance challenge.

• Introduce friendly sabotage: players can try to gently knock off others’ beanbags if they meet.

• Make it a last one standing challenge — if you drop it or get tagged, you're out.

• Add more professors (assistant coaches or parents) to increase pressure.

• Try fast-walk or tiptoe only rounds. 

🟡 Pac-Man – Seasonal Variations

(Original Game Concept: Kids dribble their balls through a maze while avoiding “Ghosts” played by coaches or parents)

🎃 Halloween – Pumpkin-Pac
Children are mini pumpkins trying to escape spooky ghosts (coaches in costume or with masks). Decorate the maze with cobwebs or mini skeleton cones. They must escape while collecting “pumpkin seeds” (beanbags). 👻🎃

🐣 Easter – Eggy-Pac
Children are Easter eggs being chased by sneaky foxes or rabbits. The maze is filled with pastel-coloured cones, and the eggs have to dribble their ball (the yolk!) to safety — collecting “chocolate drops” (mini cones) along the way. 🐰🥚🍫

🎄 Christmas – Santa-Pac
Players are Santa’s elves delivering presents through the North Pole maze. Coaches are Grinches trying to catch them. Kids collect “gift tags” (small cones/beanbags) while navigating snowy obstacles (white cones). 🎅❄️🎁

💘 Valentine’s – Heart-Pac
Children are hearts running through a maze of love! They dribble their balls through rosy red and pink cones while avoiding Cupid’s arrows (gentle coach interference). Every time they make it across, they drop a heart token in the love jar. 💘🏹

👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Flower-Pac
Children are flowers in bloom trying to avoid rain clouds (coaches). The aim is to collect sunlight tokens (yellow beanbags) while dribbling around watering can cones and back to their parent’s flowerpot. 🌼☀️

Moon Mice   🌕🐭🧀

🌕🚀 Story / Theme

The brave space explorers 🧑‍🚀 must travel through a meteor field ☄️ to the moon 🌕, collect cheese 🧀, and bring it safely back to Earth 🌍 — but the mischievous moon mice 🐭 are waiting to steal it!

🧰 Equipment

• 🟠 Traffic cones tipped on their side (meteors)
• 🟡 Yellow round cones (moon surface)
• 🧀 Soft balls hidden under yellow cones (cheese)
• 🟢 Green cones or hoop to mark Earth
• 🪣 Tub/bucket to collect the cheese
• 🧸 Balls on strings or beanbags (simplified option)
• 🪖 Optional: Round cones as “helmets”
• ⚽ Optional: Large inflatable ball (for kick/dribble challenge)

🎮 How to Play

1. ☄️ Scatter traffic cones to create a meteor field.

2. 🌕 Create the moon at one end using yellow round cones, each hiding a cheese ball.

3. 🌍 At the opposite end, mark Earth with a circle of green cones and place a bucket inside.

4. 🧑‍🚀 Players navigate the meteor field, avoiding cones to reach the moon.

5. 🧀 They lift one cheese at a time and balance it on their racket.

6. 🐭 On the return journey, moon mice (coaches/parents) try to steal cheese if it drops!

7. 🌍 Children deliver the cheese to Earth by placing it in the tub.

8. 🔁 Repeat until all the cheese is collected.

🐣 Feathers

• 🫘 Use beanbags instead of balls to make balancing easier for younger children.

🧠 Progressions

1. 🪖 Helmet Challenge: Balance a round cone on the head while carrying cheese.

2. 🧺 Multi-Collection: Collect more than one cheese at a time.

3. ⚽ Dribble Challenge: Carry cheese while kicking or dribbling an inflatable ball.

🌀 Variations

• 🏃‍♂️ Team Race: Two teams collect from the same moon — the team with the most cheese wins!
• ❓ Hidden Cheese: Only some yellow cones contain cheese — adds surprise!
• 🕵️ Sneaky Mode: Players can sneak into the moon mice’s lair and try to steal back lost cheese without being caught!

Seasonal

Story / Theme:
The moles are busy hiding tennis balls under the ground, while the squirrels want to stash them safely on top of the cones. Can your team complete their mission before the other side?

Equipment:

·       2 buckets or baskets (1 at each end of the space)

·       Plenty of tennis balls

·       Round dome cones (any colours) scattered through the centre area

How to Play:

1.     Split the group into two teams – Moles and Squirrels.

2.     Place a bucket of tennis balls for each team at opposite ends of the hall or court.

3.     Scatter round cones throughout the centre to make the “field.”

4.     Moles: hide balls under cones.

5.     Squirrels: place balls on top of cones.

6.     At the start, players may only place balls on empty cones.

7.     When all balls are placed (or after a set time), the coach calls “Steal!” – teams can now take balls placed by the other side and move them to their position.

Progressions:

1.      Role Swap: At any point, the coach can call “Swap!” and Moles become Squirrels, Squirrels become Moles.

2.      Timed Rounds: Limit each round to 1–2 minutes for quick, high-energy play.

3.      Extra Obstacles: Add cones or markers that players must run around before placing a ball.

Variations:

·       Competitive: Count how many cones are “won” by each team at the end to declare a winner.

·       Colour Match: Assign each team a cone colour they must use (e.g., Moles = blue cones only).

·       Relay Version: Only one player per team can be in the field at a time — tag teammates to swap.

.

Seasonal alternatives for Moles vs Squirrels 🐿️🎾 — one for each key celebration:

🎄 Christmas – “Elves vs Snowmen” ☃️🎁

The Elves are busy hiding presents under snow mounds (dome cones), while the Snowmen want to stack them neatly on top for Santa to collect.
🎅 Use festive-coloured balls (red, green, gold) and call “SNOWSTORM!” to trigger the Steal phase where teams can switch up the other’s presents!

🐣 Easter – “Chicks vs Bunnies” 🐰🥚

🐣 Chicks want to bury their eggs under the grass (under cones), while Bunnies want to hide them in bushes (on top of cones).
🌸 At “EGG HUNT!” the sides can sneak the other team’s eggs back to their side.
Use pastel-coloured cones and eggs for full effect!

🎃 Halloween – “Witches vs Goblins” 🧙‍♀️🎃

Witches hide spells and potions under cauldrons (cones), while Goblins try to place their pumpkin stash on top.
🕸️ When the coach shouts “TRICK OR TREAT!” the teams can sabotage each other’s stash.

💘 Valentine’s – “Hearts vs Hugs” 💞💌

One team hides valentines under envelopes (cones), while the other stacks chocolates or flowers on top.
💌 Playfully chaotic — when “LOVE STORM!” is called, teams rush to move each other’s tokens before the timer ends.

Overview

A fast-paced, fun-packed team game that combines agility, dodging, teamwork, and throwing accuracy. Kids take on the role of stealthy “agents” trying to complete their mission without getting “caught” (hit by a soft ball).

Set up 🎯

• Divide into 3 teams:
o 🟥 Team A – Throwers (left side)
o 🟦 Team B – Throwers (right side)
o 🟩 Team C – Runners (start at one end and attempt the mission)
• 📍 Place beanbags at the far end of the playing area.
• 🚫 Throwing zones are marked with cones — throwers must stay behind these when throwing.
• 🧱 Set up obstacles (cones, mini nets, boxes, etc.) across the playing surface for runners to use as cover.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 🎾 Soft balls (e.g. foam tennis balls)
• 🪣 Rubber tubs for throwing/collecting
• 🟨 Beanbags (for runners to collect)
• 🟠 Cones/markers (to mark throw zones and runner paths)
• 🧱 Optional: mini nets, benches, or ball tubs as cover

🏃‍♂️ How to Play

1. Team C (Runners) tries to collect as many 🟨 beanbags as possible, moving across the zone (right to left).

2. They 🕵️‍♀️ dodge, dash, or hide behind obstacles to avoid being hit.

3. If a runner is hit, they must 🚶 return to the start and try again.

4. Once they reach the beanbags, they become 🛡️ immune on their return (must use the outside route).

5. Teams A & B (Throwers) try to hit runners with soft balls and inflatable footballs:
   o 🎯 Must throw from behind the line.
   o 🔁 Can retrieve loose balls, but must get back behind cones before throwing again.

IMPORTANT: COACHES NEED TO ADJUDICATE TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, CALL OUT WHEN CHILDREN HAVE BEEN HIT AND NEED TO RETURN TO THE START. REWARD HONESTY BY GIVING EXTRA LIVES TO CHILDREN WHO RETURN TO THE START WHEN HIT.  

📜 Rules Recap

• ❌ Only runners may be on the central surface.
• 🛡️ Runners are safe when returning via the outside after grabbing a beanbag.
• 🚫 Throwers must not block runners.
• 🔄 Rotate every 5 mins or after a full round.
• 🏆 Track beanbags collected — team with most wins!

🧠 Variations

• ⏱️ Add a time limit for runners.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Add a “spy” runner who gets 2 lives.
• 🛡️ Younger kids can use rackets as shields (remove if misused!).

🎓 Coach Tips

• 🎭 Encourage creative movement — crawling, diving, sneaking, etc.
• 📣 Cheer on brave or sneaky moves.
• ✅ Safety first: soft throws only, below the waist.

‍  Million Ball Match

Two teams compete to clear their side of the court by throwing or hitting as many softballs over the net as possible. The team with fewer balls on their side when time is up wins!

🛠️ Setup:

• Create a mini-court using cones or mini-nets.

• Place a net across the middle (or cones/line as a divider if indoors).

• Use soft foam balls (20–50 balls, depending on numbers).

• Split players into two teams, one on each side.

• Place balls evenly across both sides or in a pile in the middle to start.

🎯 How to Play:

1. On the whistle, players throw or hit softballs over the net to the other team’s side.

2. They can use rackets (forehands/backhands/ serves), throw with their hands, or roll.

3. Coaches/parents help monitor and encourage from the outside.

4. After a set time (e.g. 2–3 minutes), blow the whistle to stop.

5. Teams sit down and count the balls on their own side. The team with fewer balls wins the round!

🐣Feathers For Younger Children (ages 3–6):

• ✅ Throw only – no rackets needed to start.

• ✅ Allow rolling under the net for success.

• ✅ Play in short bursts (30 seconds to 1 minute).

• 🛡️ Add “Shield Zone” – a safe zone where 1 child can hold a racket and block.

• 👑 “Crown” the Most Helpful Teammate (not just winners).

🧗 Progressions For Older Children (ages 7+):

• 🎾 Must use rackets only to hit balls.

• 🎯 Designated hitters – assign 1–2 strikers per team, others feed.

• 🚫 No stepping in front of the service line.

• 🔁 Add a “reverse round”: each team must clear specific colour balls only.

• 🕒 Add a countdown timer for fast-paced final 30 seconds.

• 🧩 Introduce a “golden football” worth –2 points if it’s on your side at the end.

• 📦 Create a net trap: any ball caught on the net stays and counts as a penalty.

• IMPORTANT: Make sure the children are not too close to one another. If they are close to hitting one another, take their rackets off them and revert to throwing.

• 🧹 Clean-up Crew: After each round, get kids to collect balls into a tub to reset – great for teamwork and structure. At points to incentivise cleanup

‍ Rally Progressions – Teaching Guide
‍ ‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr68ma64o6w

These exercises typically make up the middle portion of a session and can be combined with other rotations such as hitting off tees or coach-fed hitting.

One of the key challenges for young children in Tennis Tots and Tennis Titans is being able to hold a consistent rally over the net. Most children in this age group will find this extremely difficult, even when working with a coach. It’s essential, therefore, to build this skill gradually by simplifying the challenge and slowing things down using props, clear structure, and parental involvement.

Also see the separate game: “Rally in the Alley” for another alternate rally-based exercise.

🛠️ Set-Up – Mini Nets Using Adjustable Hurdles

Use your adjustable hurdles as mini nets. We usually:

• Start with the highest rung, allowing children to rally both under and over the bar

• Position players either side (coach/parent one side, child on the other)

🌱 FEATHERS (Simplified Variations)

For Tots and less confident Titans:

• ⚽ Football Pushes Under the Hurdle: Great starting point. Encourage children to roll or push an inflatable ball under the bar using hands or feet.

• 🎈 Balloon Rally Over the Hurdle (Indoors Only): Balloons slow the pace significantly and make rallying achievable, even for walking-age tots.

• 🪄 Bounce & Catch: Use an inflatable ball or soft foam ball. Player catches after bounce, then gently rolls or throws back under/over.

• 🎯 Target Rally with Parents: Focus on cooperation. Place a marker or cone to aim for instead of over a net.

⚡ PROGRESSIONS

🔁 Intermediate Rally Building:

• 👐 Start with throw & catch over the hurdle using inflatable or foam ball

• 🔁 Add rhythm: “Throw – bounce – catch – throw – bounce – catch”

• 🧺 Rally 3+ times before dropping the ball

• 🔄 Encourage turn-taking: child hits, parent returns, repeat

🏸 Racket Introductions:

• 👟 Begin with parent and child rallying under the hurdle

• 🧱 Allow child to control first: catch or volley to settle ball before sending it back

• 🎾 Start with tee-hits or drop-feeds transitioning into light rallies

• ↔️ Try back-and-forth rallies using inflatable or foam balls

• 🧲 Use two drop-down markers to define boundaries/footwork zones

🚀 Progressions for Older or Confident Children:

• 🎾 Swap from inflatable ball to mini red foam ball

• 🥎 Begin over the hurdle using low-to-high swing after bounce   

• ↪️ Add serve to start the rally

• 🔄 Alternate between forehand and backhand

• 🎽 Create a points-based challenge: e.g. “3 rallies = 1 point”

• Encourage children to use topspin and correct hitting technique, accelerating racket paths up the ball.

💡 Coaching Tips:

• Demonstrate each variation with energy and exaggeration

• Use parents to model correct feeding, rhythm and encouragement

• Use cues like “bounce, catch,” or “swing up, let it fly”

• Keep sessions positive, even when rallies fail – the process is the progress!

• Adjust the net height, ball type, and distance depending on the group’s age and confidence

• Further progressions for Titans and Troopers : https://youtu.be/qS5E904i5D4?si=Ivzk553d-9BZFDzF

‍🚀 Rockets

🎯 A progressive accuracy and power game focused on low-to-high swing, coordination, and distance hitting.

📹 Watch Demo
⏱️ Time: 5–10 mins

🎤 Coach Script / Setup:

"Today we’re building ROCKETS! 🚀 We’re going to launch our tennis balls over the top and see how far our rockets can fly!"

1. Each parent/child pair builds a rocket using:

   • 3 or 4 traffic cones stacked into a pyramid

   • Optionally place a football or round cone on top for extra height

2. About 50cm in front, place a round cone or hitting tee as the launch pad.

3. Place the Football on the cone (launchpad), or tennis ball on hitting tee then whack it with a backward to forward/ low-to-high swing towards rocket.

4. Once successful, move the launch cone another 50cm back.

5. Repeat until the child can no longer hit the rocket. See who can get the furthest back.
   👉 Encourage them to shout “BLAST OFF!” each time 🚀

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Children):

• Just build tower and let little ones smash down with rackets

Use a larger ball (e.g., foam or football) for easier contact
• Move the cone closer (30cm away instead of 50cm)
• Allow rolling or gentle tosses over the rocket instead of hitting
• Use a beanbag on the cone to slow things down
• Let children hit or throw with two hands

⚡ Progressions (Challenge for Older or Confident Children):

• Increase the rocket height (add more cones or balls on top)
• Use drop feed instead of tee: drop the ball and hit it over
• Try hitting backhand rockets
• Introduce a distance leaderboard — who got furthest?
• Add a “Double Rocket” where they must hit over two towers side by side

🎾 Coaching Tips:

• Emphasise low-to-high swing path (like lifting the ball up)         • Keep non-dominant hand out to stay balanced
• Help children adjust foot position – side-on stance        • Praise for effort and creativity – encourage them to shout and celebrate their rocket launch             

seasonal variations pack for the “🚀 Rockets” game — each themed version keeps the core structure but adds fun storytelling and slight tweaks to props or language.

🎄 Christmas – Santa’s Launch Station

Santa’s sleigh is stuck! Build a launch tower using stacked chimneys (cones) with a snowball (foam ball) or Christmas pudding on top. See how far the sleigh (ball) can fly over the rooftops as children move further back each time. Add a “Ho Ho Ho!” countdown before each launch.

🐣 Easter – Bunny Egg Launch

Stack pastel cones to make a bunny burrow tower. Place a chocolate egg (or round cone/ball) on top and try to launch it over an imaginary hedge or fence. Encourage kids to shout “Hop and Launch!” before each shot. See how far each bunny can get their egg.

🎃 Halloween – Witch’s Potion Launch

Stack bubbling cauldrons (black/orange cones) and place a spooky ingredient (green or purple ball) on top. Kids are little witches and wizards, launching ingredients into the sky to complete their potion. Add sound effects like “ZAP!” and let them cackle as they whack.

❤️ Valentine’s Day – Heart Rocket Delivery

Kids are launching love letters or hearts (red balls) over a “wall of shyness” (cones stacked like a barrier). Build heart towers with pink cones and send messages to their “Valentine’s Mailbox” far away. Bonus: Decorate a cone with heart stickers.

👩‍👧 Mother’s Day – Flower Delivery Rockets

Build a flower tower with yellow/orange cones and place a "flower" (beanbag or ball) on top. Children launch flowers towards a special “Mum’s Garden” zone. Add a flower sticker to the ball or let children say “This one’s for Mum!” before launching.

👨‍👦 Father’s Day – Toolbox Rocket Challenge

Use blue or grey cones to build a tower that looks like a toolbox. Kids launch a "screw" or "bolt" (ball) over a tall cone wall to “fix the roof.” Encourage children to shout “For Dad!” and see who can send their item furthest.

👟 HOW TO PLAY

1. Children use their rackets to carefully lift the pumpkin (beanbag/ball) off its patch (under the cone).

2. They must balance the pumpkin on the racket while walking over to drop it into the matching colour collecting tub.

3. Coaches and assistants throw scarves (ghosts) and frisbee-style cones (ghouls) gently toward children to try and knock pumpkins off rackets or make them dodge.

4. Children must restart the collection journey if their pumpkin falls before reaching the tub.

5. Keep rotating – once all pumpkins are collected, reset the patch and start again!

💡 Progressions

• Add time challenges – who can collect the most pumpkins in 60 seconds?

• Add foot dribbling as a return challenge (e.g., dribble a ball back after delivery).

• Use smaller rackets or wobblier balls for advanced balance control.

🪶 Feathers (Younger Players – Under 3s)

• Use beanbags instead of balls

• Children use upside-down rackets or hands to carefully pick up a "pumpkin" (cone on top of a beanbag or ball).

• They walk slowly over to a collecting bucket to match the colour.

• Coaches gently wave or toss scarves as friendly "ghosts" – but not too close to startle them.

• Focus on: Colour recognition, matching, safe travel, and object manipulation.

🚀 Progressions (Older Players – 3+ years)

• Children balance the pumpkin (cone + beanbag) on a racket while navigating through a “haunted” path.

• Coaches throw scarves or soft cones across the space as obstacles ("ghouls") trying to knock pumpkins off.

• Add a rule that if your pumpkin is knocked off, you must go back and start again!

• Optional: Add throwing challenge at the end – throw the "pumpkin" (beanbag) into the matching coloured tub.

🌸 Seasonal Variations:

🎅 Christmas – “Elf Harvest”

• The cones become Christmas puddings or presents, and the balls/beanbags are toys or decorations.

• Coaches are Grinches or naughty elves trying to make deliveries more difficult by tossing scarves or “snowballs.”

• Buckets become Santa’s sleighs or chimneys for toy delivery.

🐣 Easter – “Egg Garden”

• Beanbags = Easter eggs, cones = nests.

• Children balance “eggs” to take to the baskets or bunny dens at the far end.

• Coaches toss scarves as swooping birds or frisbee “rolling logs” to dodge.

💘 Valentine’s Day – “Love Bug Hunt”

• Beanbags = love bugs, cones = flower pots, buckets = Valentine mailboxes.

• Scarves become flying love notes or petals blowing in the wind that distract or knock items off rackets.