🎾 Ups & Downs

Focus: Racket skills, coordination, balance, control
Stage: Phase 1 (after warm-up)
Time: ~5 minutes

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Everyone grab a racket and a ball!
We’re going to see how much control you have today with Ups and Downs!
Remember… small touches, soft hands, and still feet!”

Spread children out so they each have safe space around them.

🟡 Activity Breakdown

1️⃣ Balancing the Ball (Starter)

• Children place a ball on the strings.

• Walk around the space keeping the ball balanced.

• Coaching cues:

  • "Flat racket!"

  • "Soft hands!"

  • "Fast feet, slow racket!"

2️⃣ “Ups” – Bouncing the Ball Up on the Strings

• Bounce the ball gently off the racket face.

• Aim for small, repeated hits.

• KEY RULE: Try not to move your feet — build control first.

• Progressions:

  • Turn the racket between each bounce.

  • Tap the ball higher (but still under control).

  • Count how many in a row.

3️⃣ “Downs” – Bouncing the Ball Down to the Floor

• Tap the ball downwards, letting it bounce off the ground.

• Again, keep feet still for control.

• Progressions:

  • Bounce around the body (front, side, back to front).

  • Swap hands while bouncing.

  • Bounce while slowly walking once they show control.

4️⃣ “Up–Bounce–Down–Catch” Challenge

• One hit up

• Let it bounce

• One hit down

• Catch with non-dominant hand

• Repeat rhythmically like a pattern.

5️⃣ Edge Bouncing (Harder)

• Perform Downs using the edge of the racket.

• When confident, perform Ups using the edge too.

  • Great for developing touch and feel.

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for Younger Children)

• Use larger balls (inflatable, sponge, Big Red Ball).

• Let them bounce using two hands on racket first.

• Use a bigger target like bibs or hula hoops to bounce into.

• Allow one bounce on floor before every Up.

• Start with “statue feet”—if this is too hard, allow walking slowly.

⚡️ Progressions (For Older / Confident Kids)

• Alternate: up, down, up, down continuously.

• Keep taps below shoulder height for precision.

• Edge bounces only.

• Bounce around cones placed in a loop (small controlled steps).

• Perform ups while turning 180° or 360° without losing control.

• Use non-dominant hand for Ups & Downs.

🎾 Technical Coaching Tips

• Flat racket face = stability.

• Encourage soft hands and relaxed wrists.

• Keep ball close to body, not reaching out.

• Keep racket on the move, not static.

• Teach “tap, not hit.”

🎉 Seasonal Alternatives

🎄 Christmas — Snowball Taps

• Use white balls as “snowballs.”

• Children tap the snowball up or down while pretending to decorate a tree.

• Edge bouncing becomes “carving icicles.”

🐣 Easter — Bunny Bounce

• Use pastel balls.

• Ups = “Bunny hops.”

• Downs = “Egg drops.”

• Up–down–catch becomes “Catch the Golden Egg.”

🎃 Halloween — Pumpkin Pops

• Orange balls = mini pumpkins.

• Ups become “pumpkin pops.”

• Downs become “squash the pumpkin!”

• Edge work = “witch wand bounces.”

💘 Valentine’s — Heart Drops

• Pink/red balls = hearts.

• Ups = “send some love!”

• Downs = “landing love notes.”

‍ ‍❄️ Snowball Fight

A fast, fun, safe throwing game using soft balls only.

🎤 Coach Script / Intro

“Has anyone here ever played in the snow before?
When it snows, what can we have? A snowball fight! ❄️
Today we’re doing our own safe version using soft snowballs only!”

🎯 Objective

• Develop throwing accuracy
• Build quick reactions (catching, dodging, blocking)
• Encourage teamwork and cooperation
• Safe distance throwing practice

🧩 Setup

• Use two long rows of cones to divide the space into two sides
• Distance should be close enough for balls to reach but far enough to avoid face hits
• One bucket of soft balls only (foam balls, sponge balls, “fat balls”)
• Decide teams:
 – Small group → Kids vs Parents
 – Large group → Kids vs Kids

❄️ How to Play

1. Each team starts on their side behind the cone line

2. Balls are scattered evenly

3. On the coach’s whistle, both teams:
    • Pick up balls
    • Throw them over the cone line at the other team
    • Players can catch and throw back
    • Players may duck behind cones for cover

4. No crossing the cone boundary

5. Play in short rounds (45–60 seconds)

🧊 Winning Options

Choose based on age group:

• Most balls on the other team's side at the whistle
• Hit tally (coach keeps count of snowballs that land on players’ legs/body)
• First team to 10 successful hits

🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)

• Use larger, slower foam balls
• Shorten the distance between cone lines
• Players can roll or bounce snowballs instead of throwing
• Allow parents/coaches to help younger players

🔥 Progressions (Harder)

• Players must throw with their non-dominant hand
• Add movement lanes behind cones to force footwork
• “Catch = extra point” rule
• Timed rounds with increasing distance
• Introduce two-ball “snowstorm mode”

🛡️ Safety Notes

• Soft balls only
• No aiming at faces (coach emphasises “below the shoulders”)
• Keep safe spacing behind cones
• Stop immediately if someone wanders across the cone line
• Encourage safe throwing, not maximum power

‍ ‍🎾 Wall Rally – Indoor Tennis Activity Sheet

A brilliant indoor skill-builder where every child finds a wall space and works through a series of fun challenges to develop touch, control, timing and rally rhythm.

🧩 Setup

• Each child finds a safe, clear section of wall
• 1 ball per player (start with football or large soft ball)
• 1 racket per player (used later in the activity)
• Ensure clear space behind and to the side of each child

⭐ Warm-Up Phase (No Racket)

1️⃣ Roll & Stop – 1 minute

• Roll the football along the floor into the wall
• Ball rolls back → child stops it with two hands
• Focus: soft hands, ready position, bending knees

2️⃣ Toss–Bounce–Catch – 1 minute

• Toss the ball gently against the wall
• Let it bounce once on the floor
• Catch with two hands
• Focus: timing, judging bounce, hand–eye coordination

🎾 Racket Phase

3️⃣ Push Control (Racket Only)

• Start with ball on the ground
• Gently push or “nudge” the ball into the wall
• Let it come back → use 1–2 control touches before pushing again
• Goal: control + accuracy, not power

4️⃣ Groundstroke Rally (Bounce Hit)

• Hit ball into the wall → let it bounce → hit again
• Optional: allow 1–2 control bounces/taps between each hit
• Goal: rally to 10 hits

🔺 Progressions

Ball Progressions

Move through these as they succeed:

1. Football

2. Fat ball

3. Mini red tennis ball

4. Orange ball

Skill Progressions

• Volleys only against the wall
• Groundstroke → volley pattern
• Serve → groundstroke
• Rally to 10, then 15, then 20
• Aim for specific targets on the wall (use markers, cones or tape)

🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)

• Use a bigger/slower ball
• Allow multiple bounces
• Stand closer to the wall
• Use a parent/coach to help with ball control
• Start with stationary drop feeds instead of rolling/bouncing

🔥 Challenges (Harder)

• Rally must be continuous (no control touches)
• Move sideways between hits
• Hit from further back
• Alternate forehand/backhand each hit
• Serve → volley → groundstroke → catch

🎯 Coaching Points

✔ Low-to-high swing shape
✔ Sideways body position
✔ Early preparation
✔ Soft hands on control touches
✔ Watch the ball after rebound

If you'd like, I can also produce a visual diagram (no text) showing:
• Children spaced along a wall
• Rolling → toss → push → hit sequences
• Different ball types
• Rally pathway

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‍ ‍🎯 🎾 Split Step – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide

Movement is integral to Tennis, and while some movements are natural, the Split Step is something that generally needs to be taught. It is effectively a change of direction while maintaining balance. Although usually taught when coming to the net as a transition from linear to sideways movement, the split step is actually used continuously throughout a rally.

Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate at every level. https://youtu.be/Q5Hrn8y-nJA?si=FfkDG36W_DH2anSi

‍ ‍Technique: The split step is very simple to perform. Essentially, with hands in a ready position (holding the racket at waist height in a neutral position), the player will perform a slight jump in the air and land with both feet wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, facing their target. A good split step is timed so it lands as the opponent makes contact with the ball over the other side of the net, effectively ready to spring off in any direction needed to react to your opponent.

🧸 Split step progressions

·       Dot and brackets: Get the children to run on the spot (drop down dot) and set up two brackets (drop down lines either side). Kids run on spot and when the coach calls “split” they perform a split step in the air, landing each foot on two outside lines (brackets).

·       Rugby throws; perform rugby tosses with a partner, letting the ball bounce in front before catching at waist height, the catcher focusing on the split step when it leaves the partner's hand.

·       Hitting tee’s. Simplify the hitting to focus on the split step. Get children to move towards the tee, perform a split step, and then hit a forehand/backhand.

·       Progress to coach hitting balls and children performing a split each time contact is made with the coach's racket.  

·       Play “Shields and Serves” (see separate activity sheet) where children are encouraged to use rackets and split steps to protect themselves against incoming fire.

·       Volleys, this is an obvious example where a split step is needed

·       Full court feeding focusing on splitting on contact from your opponent

Integration: Once the split step lesson has been taught, coaches should continue to encourage split steps throughout children's tennis progressions.

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Volleys 🎾‍ ‍

🎯 🎾 Volleys – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide‍ ‍

Volleys are less important at the Tots/Titans stage, but it's good to introduce them early in tennis. The idea of a volley is to finish the point off at the net. The technique is very different from normal forehands and backhands.

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Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate a forehand at every level

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‍ ‍Technique: As players approach the net, they do not have time for big swings, so the technique involves keeping the racket head up, creating a V shape, and hitting from high to low. The same grip is used on both volleys (chopper grip), and the hand is turned for backhand. Footwork is crucial in volleying, enabling the body to turn for both forehand and backhand shots, and to attempt to impact the ball at shoulder height whenever possible. For a right-hander, when performing a forehand volley, the left foot wants to move towards the ball and turn the shoulders in the process; for a backhand volley, the right foot steps across.  https://youtu.be/b2mHhUeeSvc?si=QIqHEoFzY2GAcfzu

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🧸 Volley progressions

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·       High fives: pair the children up with parents/ other kids; put drop-down lines in front of the child to give them a starting point and get them to step forward and high-five. Encourage back-of-hand high-fives

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·       Cone hands. Use round cones (one of each colour) and put two fingers through the middle and hold the thumb on the outside. Get parents to have matching coloured cones, and the child matches the colour and high-fives parents' cones like cymbals. Encourage children to step forward across the body by holding the corresponding colour for the child to step across and tag the parent's cone.

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·       Lollipop volleys: Get children close to the net and to hold the racket up like a lollipop. Feed the ball a bit short so the child has to reach forward and hit down.

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·       Progress to kids standing further back by putting down lines for the child to recover to, then stepping forward with the correct leg and punching high to low down into the court

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·       Progress to hitting a groundstroke first, then moving forward and hitting a volley.

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·       Split step: introduce the idea of split step before volleying for balance

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·       Smashes: always good to throw in some smashes, which are essentially serves without the ball toss.

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Tug of War

🎯 Objective:
To pull the opposing team across a center line using a rope. Great for teamwork, strength, coordination, and energy release.

🔧 Setup:

• Use a long rope (soft grip if possible).

• Mark a clear center line on the ground using cones, chalk, or tape.

• Tie a scarf to the centre of the rope as a marker

• Add two win lines about 1.5–2 meters each side of the center.

🕹️ How to Play:

• Divide into two equal teams in numbers and strength.

• Line them up holding the rope evenly on either side of the center line.

• On the signal “3…2…1…GO!” both teams pull.

• First team to pull the scarf  past the win marker wins the round.

• Can be played best of 3.

🛟 Safety Tips:

• Ensure all players hold with two hands and never wrap the rope around hands or body.

• Use shoes with grip.

• Encourage a low stance and bent knees.

• One coach should always supervise closely to pause if needed.

🐣 Easier Variants for Younger Children:

• Use a lightweight rope or resistance band.

• Play 1v1 or 2v2 using cones to mark a zone.

• Introduce a Teddy Tug: tie a teddy or plush toy to the center of the rope for themed fun.

• Try “Friendly Tug”: no winners, just teams pulling the rope back and forth across a midline to build coordination and laughter.

🎾 Tennis Obstacle Course Challenge! 🏁⚽

A high-energy, skill-building circuit that brings tennis and movement together in the most exciting way!

Kids must dribble large footballs with control using their tennis rackets, manoeuvring through a series of fun and challenging stations before hitting the ball over the net. Perfect for developing coordination, balance, and racket skills!

🔶 Station 1: Double Cone Circles

Navigate around two tall traffic cones, dribbling the ball in a figure-of-eight pattern. Once both circles are complete, race to the net and hit the ball over with forehand/backhand or serve

🔶 Station 2: Slalom Weave

Dribble in and out through a classic cone slalom. Stay tight and controlled—then line up and strike the ball over the net when you reach the end with forehand/backhand or serve

🔶 Station 3: Wiggly Tunnel

Enter the cone tunnel! Stick carefully to the wiggly lines between the cones, making sure the ball stays within the path. Finish strong with a shot over the net with forehand/backhand or serve

👨‍🏫 Coach Tips:

• Coaches stand on the opposite side of the net to collect and recycle footballs.

• For younger players: allow hands or multiple touches to help with ball control.

• For older players: at the end of the course, they must reach into the ball tub and hit a forehand, backhand, or serve over the net to score!

🏗️ Additional Station Ideas:

• 🔁 Hurdle Zone – Go over one, under the next! Great for agility.

• 🌲 Broken Forest – A wide spread of random cones the player must dribble through with quick reactions.

• High rail – use two parallel hurdles to create a high rail to push footballs across

🎯 Target Zone – Place hoops, cones, or bins on the opposite side of the net for kids to aim at with their shot!

 Make it competitive 🏁 -Award points for success and declare winners, or you can split the kids into teams.

🏒 Story / Theme:
Two teams face off in a fast-paced hockey-style game — but with 🎾 tennis rackets and ⚽ balls instead of sticks and pucks! Pass, block, and score goals while keeping it safe.

🎯 Equipment:
• 🥅 4 small goals (2 per team, placed at opposite ends or sides)
• ⚽ 1 football
• 🎾 1 racket per player
• 🟧 Cones to mark safe play areas and boundaries

🎮 How to Play:

1. 🔵🔴 Split players into two teams (use bibs)

2. 🥅 Set up two mini goals per team, spaced apart to encourage passing.

3. 🏑 Players use tennis rackets to push or tap the ball hockey-style (no swinging).

4. ⏱️ 3-second rule: Players must pass within 3 seconds of receiving — encourage quick decision-making and team play.

5. 🛡️ Defenders may intercept or block shots but no tackling or physical contact.

6. 🔁 Play starts from the centre after every goal.

7. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Teams may assign positions (attackers, defenders, goalkeepers).

🚀 Progressions:

1. ⏱ Timed Possession: Pass within 3 seconds.

2. 🗺️ Zones: Mark attack, midfield, and defence zones — rotate roles.

3. 🎯 Multiple Balls: Add a second ball to increase speed and chaos.

4. ⚡ One-Touch Passing: Ball must be played instantly on contact.

🎲 Variations:
• 🔄 Score Anywhere: Any goal counts — encourages switching sides.
• 📏 Goal Size Change: Make goals smaller for older kids.
• ✨ Double Points: Bonus points for 3+ consecutive passes before scoring.

🎯 Tennis Golf
⏱️ Duration: 10–15 minutes: This game would usually run through two or maybe three phases, as is a circuit.

🏗️ Setup & Intro:
Organise children into lines or circles depending on space. Gather everyone together to explain the stations and demonstrate how swing path and racket trajectory change based on the type of shot.

Coach sets up three stations:

🏌️‍♂️ Drivers
• Use hitting tees to practise forehands.
• Aim to hit with control and distance along the full length of the hall.
• Emphasise low-to-high swing and follow-through.

🏹 Chippers
• For younger kids: hit off a tee or be drop-fed by parents.
• For confident children: self drop-feed.
• Goal: hit the ball high and land it into buckets placed at varying distances.
• Focus on arc, control, and soft hands.

⛳ Putters
• Use soft balls to roll along the ground into upturned plastic tubs.
• Children perform forward-and-backward racket movements, keeping the ball rolling smoothly (not bouncing).
• Emphasise racket face control and touch.

⚡ Progressions (Advanced):
• Introduce topspin technique at all three stations.
• Encourage confident players to control ball height and spin, especially at the Chipper and Putter stations.

🎾 Technical Focus:
• Swing path (low to high)
• Racket angle and face control
• Topspin development
• Control over power

‍ 🟧 General Layout:

• Divide the space into four activity zones using cones as boundaries.

• Each zone runs horizontally across the court or hall.

• Kids move station-to-station, ideally in a clockwise or zig-zag pattern.

• Coaches/parents stationed to help with resetting targets and giving technical tips.

🔢 Stations:

1️⃣ Strong Man

• Kids hit from a tee (or drop feed) toward the far wall, aiming for distance.

• Older kids can hit with more power, younger ones can hit closer.

• Use cones to mark out zones they reach for bonus challenges.

• For older players, vary to backhands and serves

2️⃣ Chip the Bucket

• Multiple small buckets/tubs grouped ahead.

• Players chip the ball using a forehand motion (from tee or drop-feed).

• Emphasis on height and accuracy to land balls in the tubs.

• Label this as “Chipping Zone”

• For older players, vary to backhands and serves

3️⃣ Carnival Putters

• A straight putting lane with drop-down lines players must stay behind.

• Kids gently roll the ball along the floor aiming into upturned tubs.

• Focus on pace control, and keeping the ball on the ground and not too hard or the ball will bounce in and out again.

4️⃣ Coconut Shy

• Players throw beanbags at balls placed on tees, aiming to knock them off.

• Use cones to mark a throwing line they must stay behind.

• Optional: Add silly targets like cone towers or “coconuts” for extra fun.

‍ ‍🎯 Sweet Spot – Aiming for the Middle

Objective:
To help children develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and racket awareness by focusing on hitting or catching in the sweet spot — the centre of the racket. 

👨‍🏫 Coach Introduction

Sit the children down and introduce the concept of the sweet spot.
🗣️ “This is the middle of the racket — the place where the ball or beanbag feels best when it hits. If you miss the sweet spot, it feels wobbly or bouncy. So today we are going to practise using just the middle.”

🔄 Activity Breakdown

1️⃣ Flip the Pancake

• Each child has a racket and a beanbag.

• Stand in a wide stance (feet apart), knees slightly bent.

• “Sizzle” the pancake (shake it gently), then flip it into the air and catch it — repeat 10x.

• Focus: catch in the sweet spot, keep the racket still and balanced.

2️⃣ Catch the Pancake – Parent Involvement

• Parents throw beanbags softly toward their child’s racket.

• Kids try to catch them using their sweet spot (not hands).

• Encourage wide stance and readiness.

• Coach walks around helping with stance and control.

3️⃣ Balloon Control

• Move to balloons (ideal indoors).

• Keep balloon in the air using the racket only.

• Try to keep it up for as long as possible using the middle of the racket.

• Coach Tip: Use commands like “Ready!” or “Freeze!” to regain focus mid-activity.

4️⃣ Sweet Spot Challenges

• Parents throw cones like frisbees (flat traffic cones).

• Kids must track them and catch them on the racket.

• Adds variation in movement and tracking for kids.

• Try left and right throws for lateral footwork.

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)

• Use catching nets instead of rackets

• Use scarfs instead of bean bags (to really slow down)

• Let children use two hands to hold the racket for better control.

• Parents stand closer and throw slower.

⚡ Progressions (Extensions)

• Use smaller beanbags or foam balls for advanced groups.

• Encourage gentle rallying with parents (hit balloon or ball back and forth, staying in sweet spot).

• Try alternating forehand and backhand catches.

• Introduce scoring: “Can you catch 3 in a row in the sweet spot?” ‍ ‍

‍ ‍🌌 Star Wars Throwing Game – “Battle of the Asteroid Belt”

🎯 Objective: Develop aim, accuracy, and decision-making through an imaginative, fast-paced throwing challenge!

🌠 Story Script Intro

“Welcome, young Jedi! 🧑‍🚀🛰️ The galaxy is in chaos, and your mission is to launch stars into the asteroid belt and knock the comets and planets into your opponent’s solar system! Beware – the Dark Side cheats, so stay behind your lines and throw with focus. May the Force be with you!”

🧠 Skills Focus

• Overarm and underarm throwing
• Aim and target control
• Teamwork and decision-making
• Fun, energetic movement

🏗️ Set-Up:

• Space Zone: Set up two parallel lines of traffic cones across the court to create the asteroid belt (centre zone).

• Inside the belt:

  • Scatter balloons (comets)

  • Perch inflatable balls or foam balls on round cones (planets)

• Create a team zone at either end of the hall.

•  

• Provide each team with soft balls (“stars”) to throw.

🎮 How to Play:

1.     Divide children into 2–3 teams at opposite ends of the space.

2.     On the coach’s signal, children throw soft balls into the asteroid belt.

3.     Aim: Knock balloons and inflatable planets over the central line into the other team’s zone.

4.     Each time a balloon or ball lands in the opponent’s solar system, your team scores!

5.     Coaches may recycle stars back to keep the game flowing.

6.     No stepping into the asteroid belt – if a player crosses the line, the other team gets a point!

🪶 Feathers – Simplifications for Younger Children:

• Use larger balls or balloons only for easier targets.

• Allow rolling or underarm throws only.

• Let parents or assistants help place balls back on cones.

• Use a smaller space and bring the targets closer.

• Remove the “no-step” rule for walking-age children.

⚡ Progressions – For Older Kids:

1.     Timed Rounds: 1-minute attacks! Who can knock down the most?

2.     Precision Targets: Assign points to each object (e.g. 1 for balloon, 2 for big ball, 3 for cone).

3.     One-Handed Jedi Throwing: Use non-dominant hand only.

4.     Bounce Hit Challenge: Players must bounce the ball off the ground before hitting targets.

5.     Team Roles: Attackers throw, Defenders place targets back upright.

🎭 Seasonal Variations:

🎃 Halloween – “Pumpkin Panic”

• Use orange balloons as “floating pumpkins” and black cones as haunted trees. Kids become witch apprentices blasting spooky objects into the other zone.

🐣 Easter – “Eggsplosion!”

• Use pastel balloons as “Easter Eggs” and challenge kids to knock them over to uncover hidden bunnies underneath the cones.

🎅 Christmas – “Snowball Strike”

• Use white balloons as “snowballs” and inflatable baubles as “Christmas planets” — can they knock Santa’s sleigh safely to the other galaxy?

💘 Valentine’s Day – “Heart Attack!”

• Use pink/red balloons with paper hearts inside – each heart has a compliment or silly dare!

🏁 End Game Idea:

Do a Galactic Blitz Round – everyone throws at once, chaos ensues, laughter guaranteed. Then settle with a Jedi meditation cooldown 😌🧘‍♂️

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‍ ‍Smash the Wall 🧱🎾🏰

‍ ‍🎥https://youtu.be/h38KZ5lFg28?si=LF5BfbctcfVbI4DQ ‍

‍ ‍📝 Setup & Explanation‍ ‍

• Line the children up at a safe distance from the wall.

• Sit them down and explain the rules clearly before starting.

• Build a “wall” out of traffic cones:

  • Tallest cones at the back

  • Quickly build tall towers by using circular cones between tall cones

  • Smallest at the front‍ ‍

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🏓 How to Play

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1. Each child dribbles their big inflatable ball along the ground with their racket towards the wall.

2. When they reach the wall/ hitting line, they whack their ball to knock down as many cones as possible.

3. They leave their ball there, collect a new one, and repeat until attention starts to wander. Coach recycles balls to start

4. To finish: let kids kick or whack down the wall (with or without balls).

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🔁 Progressions

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• Create a hitting line/ move the hitting line further back so children have further to aim

• Encourage children pick ball up and let bounce before hitting forehand (in air rather than floor); switch to backhands/ serves

• Add a time challenge: how many cones can they knock down in 30 seconds?

• Make it team-based: two teams try to knock down their half of the wall first.‍

‍ ‍🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)‍ ‍

• Let children carry the ball to the wall if dribbling is too hard.

• Use smaller gaps between cones so they’re easier to hit.

• Have parents or assistants help guide the ball with the child’s racket.

• Let really little children just hit the cones over without using ball at all.‍

⚠️ Safety Notes‍ ‍

• Remind children to keep a safe distance while others are hitting.

• Tell parents to help monitor their child’s spacing.

• Be careful of potential bumps from rackets or cones.‍‍‍

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🎾 Smash the Wall – Seasonal Themes‍ ‍

🎄 Christmas – Smash the Christmas Chimney 🎅🎁
The wall becomes a chimney made of stacked presents (cones in red, green, gold).
🎯 Goal: Break the chimney so Santa can deliver the gifts!
Swap inflatable balls for "snowballs" (white balloons or foam balls).
Finish with a fun “snowball fight” by letting the kids knock over cones however they like.‍‍ ‍

🐣 Easter – Smash the Easter Egg Tower 🐰🥚
The wall becomes a tower of colourful Easter eggs (brightly coloured cones).
🎯 Goal: Crack the giant Easter egg wall to reveal the hidden chocolate inside!
Use egg-shaped beanbags or pastel-coloured foam balls.
Final round: kids roll giant eggs (balls) to knock down the "tower."

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🎃 Halloween – Smash the Haunted House 👻🏚️
The wall is now a spooky haunted house built of ghostly cones (white + black + orange).
🎯 Goal: Break down the haunted house before the monsters escape!
Add Halloween music and decorate cones with eyes or cobwebs.
Coach can wear a witch or skeleton hat for extra effect!

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💘 Valentine’s – Smash the Heart Wall 💘🏹
Make a heart-shaped wall or decorate cones with hearts/stickers.
🎯 Goal: Knock down the "Wall of Hearts" to release the trapped love messages inside!
Use pink and red balls or balloons.
Final round: shout “Love Attack!” and let all children charge and knock down the wall together.

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👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Smash the Chore Tower 🧹🛠️
Each cone represents a silly "chore" (e.g., “Do the dishes,” “Make lunch,” etc.).
🎯 Goal: Help mum/dad by smashing through all the chores so they can rest!
Add a funny story intro: “Let’s clear all the jobs before Mum/Dad gets home!”
Encourage kids to yell out a chore before smashing each cone.

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Sleeping Giants   😴🏰🏑

Story / Theme:
The giants are fast asleep in their lair, but if they wake up, they’ll try to steal your ball! Keep moving, keep control, and stay out of reach.

Equipment:

Large inflatable balls (one per child + extras)

Rackets (for adults and children)  

Cones to mark the giants’ lair (circle in the middle)

How to Play:

1.     Assistant coaches form a circle lying down inside the lair, pretending to be asleep — each with a racket.

2.     Children move around the room dribbling large inflatable balls hockey-style with their rackets.

3.     At random, the coach shouts: “Wake up, sleeping giants!”

4.     The giants jump up and try to steal the children’s balls by reaching in with their rackets and tackling their ball and returning it to the lair.

5.     If a child loses their ball, the child either sits out or finds another ball and continues playing.

Progressions: Role Swap: Children take turns being the sleeping giants (for those who want to).

1. Timed Wakes: Giants wake up every 30–40 seconds to keep children on their toes.

2. Double Trouble: Have two lairs so children must watch more than one area.

NOTE: Often, the children prefer being the giants themselves, so you can just play a quick game with them chasing, and then play the rest of the game with them as giants.

Variations:

• Safe Zones: Create small cone “safe spots” where children can stop for 3 seconds before rejoining play.

• Treasure Return: Children can try to sneak into the lair to steal back balls without being caught.

Seasonal variations for your Sleeping Giants 😴🏰🏑 game, perfect for weaving in a touch of imagination and celebration during different parts of the year:

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·       🎄 Christmas – Sleeping Snowmen

·       ☃️ The snowmen are snoozing in their snowy cave! But if they wake up, they'll roll after your snowballs (inflatable balls)!
🎅 Coaches = snowmen with red scarves and foam rackets
🧤 Optional twist: kids wear gloves/mittens to make dribbling trickier
🎁 Balls = snowballs or presents they must protect

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·       🎃 Halloween – Haunted House of Mummies

·       🧟‍♂️ The spooky mummies are asleep in the haunted house... but when they wake, they lurch after your cursed pumpkins!
🎃 Balls = inflatable orange pumpkins
👻 Add cobwebs or Halloween music for theme
💀 Mummies = coaches wrapped in toilet paper or using “ghost rackets” (white foam)

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·       🐣 Easter – Sleeping Chicks

·       🐥 The giant chicks are snoozing in their coop — but if woken, they’ll peck at your Easter eggs (balls)!
🥚 Decorate balls with pastel dots or stickers
🐰 Kids try to sneak past the coop (giant lair) without waking them
🍬 Wake-up cue: “Cock-a-doodle-doooo!”

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·       💘 Valentine’s – Sleeping Cupids

·       💘 Cupids are resting in their heart-shaped clouds, but if disturbed, they try to snatch your love letters (balls)!
💌 Dribble the “letters” safely without being tapped by the cupids' rackets
❤️ Add pink/red cones and heart decorations to the lair

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·       👩‍👧‍👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day – Snoozing Parents Game

·       😴 Mum and Dad are trying to nap, but noisy kids are playing with bouncy breakfast items (eggs, toast = balls).
🥱 If parents wake up, they try to “scoop” the breakfast and go back to sleep!
🥐 Make balls food-themed with stickers or call-outs like “Don’t drop the toast!”

🎯 A team game focused on hand-eye coordination, aiming, catching, and simple technique cues

⏱️ Duration:

5-7 minutes (including demonstration)

🎤 Coach Script / Game Setup:

"Alright troops! Today, you're going to defend your castle… or try to knock one down! Each team will take turns being the Attackers or the Defenders.

We’re going to play Siege the Castles! 🏰⚔️"

🧱 Game Layout:

• Divide players into two teams, attackers and defenders, or you can mix up attackers and defenders on both sides

• Use nets or hurdles to create a central "castle wall" between the teams.

• Each team has:

  • A castle zone (behind their own line)

  • 3–5 hitting tees or places to drop-feed or throw from

  • A supply of foam balls ("cannonballs") and catching nets or cones.

🔁 Gameplay:

Phase 1 – Attackers

• Stand behind the row of the hitting tees.

• Their job is to:

  • Hit cannonballs over the wall of the opposing castle from tees, sideways on and low to high.

  • Score 1 point for every successful ball hit over the wall.

  • Optional: Catches by attackers = 0 points for that ball.

Phase 2 – Defenders:

• Stand on the opposite side of the wall.

• Their job is to catch balls using:

  • Catching nets, or

  • Big traffic cones (for groups without enough nets), or

  • Bare hands (for older groups).

• Score 1 point per catch.

• After catching, place the ball in a bucket and get ready for the next.

After 3–5 minutes or a clear turn sequence, swap roles and repeat.

✅ SCORING SYSTEM (Simple):

• Count how many balls the team hit over the wall.

• Then count how many were caught.

• Total = Points scored for that round.

• Ask children their team scores before swapping – this builds ownership and team spirit.

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for Younger Children):

• Reduce wall height for more success.

• Let children place balls on the tee and coach assist with swing.

• Allow rolling the ball under or through a mini wall if hitting is too difficult.

• Use traffic cones for easier catching targets.

⚡️Progressions (For Older or Confident Children):

• Swap hitting tees for drop feeds or self-toss before hitting.

• Add a “Starfish” hitting technique challenge:

  • Feet wide, sideways on, racket from behind ear, contact in front, low to high.

• Make catching hands only — no nets or cones.

• Introduce time limits or hit quotas.

• Create a competition mode: best team over two rounds.

• Have attackers and defenders on the same side; NB make sure the are evenly spaced

🎾 Technical Coaching Tips:

• Emphasise low-to-high swing path (especially from tee).

• Show sideways stance and balance with non-dominant arm raised.

• For catchers:

  • Catch at waist height

  • Encourage moving feet under the ball

  • Reinforce two hands for younger kids or "bucket hands" shape.

Seasonal alternatives for 🏰 Siege the Castle:

🎄 Christmas – Siege Santa’s Workshop

The Elves are guarding Santa’s Workshop! The Snowball Fighters (children) launch snowballs (foam balls) over the festive wall to try and sneak in. The Elves catch with buckets or “mittens” (catching nets) to stop the snowballs. Decorate the court with red/green cones and tinsel. 🎁

🐣 Easter – Siege the Bunny Burrow

The Easter Bunny's Burrow is under attack from flying eggs (foam balls)! Defenders try to catch as many eggs as possible before they land in the burrow. Use pastel-coloured balls and call out "golden egg bonus" if a special colour gets hit or caught! 🐇🥚💐

🎃 Halloween – Siege the Haunted House

The ghouls are guarding their haunted mansion! Attackers throw “pumpkin bombs” (orange foam balls) over the spooky fence. Defenders (witches/ghosts) try to catch them in cauldrons (nets or buckets). Add cobwebs or Halloween cones for spooky effect. 🕸️👻🎃

💘 Valentine’s – Siege the Heart Castle

Heart-shaped messages (foam balls) are flying over the wall — can Cupid’s team catch them? Use red/pink balls and decorate the court with paper hearts. Players can “deliver love letters” instead of cannonballs. 💌❤️🏹

👩‍👧 Mother’s Day – Siege the Garden Gate

Children are flinging flower seeds (foam balls) into Mum’s magical garden! Defenders (Mums or coaches) try to catch them before they land. You can decorate the area with fake flowers or green cones to look like flower beds. 🌸🌼🌿

👨‍👧 Father’s Day – Siege the Tool Shed

The kids are throwing tools (balls) over the workshop wall! Dads (or coaches) catch the flying “screwdrivers and hammers” before they land in the shed. Playfully theme it around fixing things with Dad. Add boxes or buckets labelled with “tools.” 🛠️🧰👨‍🔧

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‍ ‍Serving progressions 🎾🎯

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🧠 Overview

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The serve is arguably the most important shot in tennis—and often the most difficult. It’s vital to introduce fundamentals early to build confidence and long-term technique.

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Children learn best by imitation, so coaches should demonstrate a forehand or serve at every stage of development, even if simplified.

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Good serving technique video: https://youtu.be/0tP2pmXd9Gk?si=iKxPKIPcBQAV3sDu

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‍ ‍🧸 Throwing = Serving Foundation

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Before a child can serve, they need to learn to throw.

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• Basic Technique: Start sideways on, with the throwing hand behind the ear.

• Progression 1: Introduce hip and shoulder rotation as they throw—use the whole body, not just the arm.

• Progression 2: Add targets to encourage distance and accuracy.

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‍ ‍💡 Serving Progressions (Starting from Tots)

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1. Kiss-Kiss

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• Children stand sideways, racket in one hand, ball in the other.

• They gently "kiss" the ball onto the strings twice:

  1. At knee height

  2. Above the head

• This teaches timing and synchronised arm movement.

2. Hammer the Sky

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• Encourage proper grip: chopper grip, not frying pan.

• Children imagine the edge of the racket is a hammer, and they’re hammering a nail into the sky.

• Reinforces serving "on edge" to promote correct spin later.

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‍ ‍3. Balloons (Indoor Alternative)

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• Use balloons to slow the action down.

• Pop the balloon upward with the non-dominant hand, then “hammer” it with the racket.

• Great for developing hand-eye coordination and arm synchronisation.

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4. Two Beanbags

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• Hold one beanbag in each hand.

• Toss the first (non-dominant hand) straight up.

• Launch the second (dominant hand) from throwing position behind the ear and try to collide them in the air.

• Progress to using tennis balls.

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5. Slingshot serve

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• Hold the ball onto the racket and pull back behind your ear.

• Release the ball and throw the racket at the same time, projecting the ball

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‍ ‍6. Back Scratch & Reach

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• Child stands sideways on, in “back scratch” position (racket behind their back).

• Step 1: Coach holds the racket and guides the swing while tossing the ball.

• Step 2: Coach tosses, child swings from back scratch position.

• Step 3: Child performs ball toss + swing for a full serving motion.

• Note: Focus on technique, not result.

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7. Directional Serving

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• Introduce the concept of serving diagonally from a baseline into a service box.

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‍ ‍8. Introduce Chopper Grip

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• Essential for spin and control.

• Introduce early in Titans and Troopers groups.

• Reinforces the “on-edge” hammer motion.

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‍ ‍9. Lengthen the Action

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• Start from “back scratch and reach” → progress to full arm extension.

• Let the hitting arm dangle, then swing in a throwing motion with a ball toss.

10. Lengthen further: Tossing arm raises straight up, Hitting arm swings back in a smooth pendulum, Contact ball at full reach; focus on rhythm and body coordination, not power.

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SERVES AND SHIELDS 🛡️

Focus: Split-step, anticipation, blocking, serving and returning
Ages: Titans or Troopers
Duration: 6–10 mins

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Today you are defenders — you’re using your rackets as shields to block incoming balls. Can you protect yourself like a superhero or a knight?”

• Space out children across the playing area.

• Each child holds a racket in front of them (two hands if possible), standing in split-step position (knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, alert).

• Coaches, parents, or older children act as “servers” (or attackers).

• Use foam balls and serve gently toward the children’s bodies (belly height or legs).

• Children must react quickly and block the ball using the sweet spot of their racket — no swinging, just controlled blocks.

• Encourage a mini jump or hop (split-step) just as the server makes contact with the ball.

🪶 Feathers (for younger / less confident children):

• Let children catch the ball with their hands first to practice tracking.

• Use larger softballs or balloons for slower movement.

• Parents can kneel beside them and help guide racket to ball.

• Have them stand closer to the server to reduce ball speed.

⚡️ Progressions (for older / confident children):

• Get some of the kids to serve

• Decrease the distance between servers and the blockers.

• Encourage quicker split-step reactions and back to the ready position.

• Add directional blocking — bring servers 360 degrees from all directions

• Try team version: Line of blockers vs. 1–2 servers, then rotate.

• Last man standing! Last person to get hit wins

• Introduce scoring: 1 point for each successful block; swap roles after 1 minute.

IMPORTANT: IF KIDS ARE HITTING, YOU MUST USE SOFT BALLS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY SPACED OUT TO MINIMISE RISK OF IMPACT.

🥪 Sandwich Shop

🎯 A creative game focused on balance, control, coordination, colour matching, and fun!
⏱️ Duration: 8–12 minutes

🎤 Coach Script / Introduction

“Who’s hungry? 🍞 Welcome to the Tennis Tots Sandwich Shop! Today you’re not just tennis players — you're chefs!
Your job is to make a sandwich, carry it carefully to the customer, and drop it into the right delivery bag!”

Sit the children down at one end of the hall near the “ingredients” area and demonstrate.

🧺 Game Setup

• Scatter soft balls and beanbags in a long line (the “ingredients”).

• Ingredients are grouped or colour-coded:

  • 🟡 Cheese = yellow

  • 🔴 Tomato = red

  • 🔵 Blueberry jam = blue

  • 🟢 Salad = green

  • 🟣 Grapes = purple (optional)

• Children use two rackets to clamp together 1–3 “ingredients” (beanbags/balls).

• Set out “delivery bags” (buckets, cones, hoops, etc.) at the opposite end of the space, each colour-coded to match the sandwich fillings.

🚚 How to Play

1.     Build your sandwich using two rackets to scoop and hold the filling(s).

2.     Carry the sandwich across the hall to the serving area (large cones/line).

3.     Drop the filling into the correctly coloured delivery bag — try to keep the sandwich together until you reach the bag!

4.     Return to the start and repeat.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Under 3s / Beginners)

• Use beanbags only (easier to balance and colour-code).

• Allow them to carry with hands or just one racket.

• Try making a burrito with a folded drop-down dot over a beanbag if the rackets are difficult to control

• Set the delivery bags much closer.

• Use cones on their side instead of upright bags to drop into.

• Let adults/assistants help “build” the sandwich.

⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children)

• Introduce foam balls as sandwich fillings (harder to balance).

• Encourage building sandwiches with multiple ingredients.

• Add a challenge zone:

  • Move the bags further away so children must fling the sandwich contents (not the rackets!) by opening their rackets in a coordinated movement.

• Introduce a relay format or team competition:

  • How many sandwiches can you deliver in 2 minutes?

• Use racket hand only, or alternate hands each round.

🎾 Coaching Tips

• Emphasise control: soft, steady hands on the rackets.

• Demonstrate how to clamp and release evenly — both rackets open together.

• Reinforce matching skills: talk through colours, food names, and what makes a “complete” sandwich.

• For older players, challenge them to balance while walking heel-to-toe or on lines for added focus.

Seasonal variations for the 🥪 Sandwich Shop game — each version adds a themed twist while preserving the original structure of carrying and delivering “sandwiches” using rackets or alternatives:

🎄 Christmas – Christmas Dinner Dash

Children are delivering Christmas dinners to Santa’s elves! Replace fillings with festive items like turkey (brown ball), sprouts (green beanbag), cranberry sauce (red cone), and roasties (yellow ball). Sandwiches are still held between rackets, and delivery cones are labelled with elf names or "North Pole Mail." Kids must carry their Christmas sandwich to the matching colour cone or “chimney.”

🐣 Easter – Easter Picnic Drop-Off

Children are delivering picnic snacks to baby bunnies! Fill sandwiches with chocolate eggs (foil balls or beanbags), carrots (orange cones), or lettuce (green cones), and walk them to baskets (upturned cones or tubs). Add “bunny hops” before delivering to make it fun! Use burritos (drop-down dots with beanbags inside) for younger ones.

🎃 Halloween – Monster Meal Delivery

Children are chefs delivering spooky sandwiches to hungry monsters! Fill with monster eyeballs (white balls), slime (green beanbags), or bat wings (black cones). Carry your sandwich across the haunted hall and drop it into monster mouths (cones with faces drawn on). You can decorate the rackets with cobweb stickers too.

❤️ Valentine’s Day – Love Letter Lunches

Kids deliver “heart sandwiches” full of love to their secret admirers 💌. Fillings might be hearts (red/pink cones or beanbags), and the delivery zones are mailboxes or cones with Valentine messages. Encourage whispering a kind message before dropping their sandwich. Bonus: Let them decorate their rackets with heart stickers.

👩‍👧 Mother’s Day – Mum’s Breakfast in Bed

Kids build Mum a lovely breakfast sandwich with toast (yellow cones), jam (red), and tea bags (brown beanbags). Gently walk the sandwich to “Mum’s bed” (pink delivery cone) without dropping it. Use burritos as an easier alternative for younger players.

👨‍👦 Father’s Day – Dad’s Mega Sandwich

Kids make a supersized sandwich with strong fillings like sausages (brown balls), mustard (yellow beanbags), or tools (grey cones!) and deliver to the “Dad Zone.” Use cones with ties or moustaches drawn on. For older kids, move the delivery zones further back and challenge them to throw the filling — not the rackets!

‍ Great for footwork, coordination, and reaction time.

👨‍👩 Parent & Child Activity used mainly in Tennis Tots
Better to use indoors or in non-windy conditions.

Start with children standing in the ready position – wide stance over a marker, racket held waist-high like a table, ready to “catch” the falling scarf.

🔸 Instructions

1. Phase 1 – Drop Catch

   • Parent drops a scarf directly above the child.

   • Child must adjust and catch it on their racket at waist height.

   • Encourage children to stay alert and make small movements to stay under the scarf.

2. Phase 2 – Toss & Track

   • Parent gently tosses the scarf into the air (forwards, backwards, sideways).

   • Child has to jostle underneath and track it down for a controlled catch.

3. Phase 3 – Turn & React

   • Child starts facing away.

   • Parent throws the scarf and shouts “TURN!” mid-air.

   • Child spins around, locates the scarf, and scrambles to catch it on their racket.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify)

• Use catching nets instead of rackets

• Let them catch with two hands first, then introduce the racket.

• Reduce the distance they need to move – drop directly above the marker.

⚡ Progressions (Challenge)

• For older children go quicker to phase 3 and delay the time between the throw of scarf and the call of “turn”

• Have two scarves thrown – the child must decide which one to catch.

• Add “fake turns” – shout "turn" but delay the throw.

• Encourage children to use just their non-dominant hand to catch before moving to the racket.

Seasonal Alternatives

🎃 Halloween – “Ghost Catch!”

🕸️ Scarf = Ghost
👻 Parents say “BOO!” as they drop the scarf.

• Children must catch the ghost before it “disappears into the floor.”

• Add a spooky sound effect when it lands to keep the theme fun.

• Encourage children to do a spooky stomp or zombie walk between catches.

• For older kids: Catch with one hand while pretending to swat ghosts away with their racket.

🎄 Christmas – “Snowflake Catch!”

❄️ Scarf = Snowflake

• Parent says “Snowfall!” and drops the scarf.

• Kids must catch the snowflake softly without “melting” it (no squeezing).

• Add a challenge: catch with non-dominant hand = “extra careful mitten catch.”

• Have a “Blizzard round” where scarves are dropped from both sides quickly.

💘 Valentine’s – “Love Letter Drop”

💌 Scarf = Love Letter / Heart

• Parent says “Special Delivery!”

• Child catches the love letter before it hits the ground.

• Add a heart sticker or message on the scarf for added fun.

• Older kids: Catch and then “deliver” it to a friend by re-tossing softly.

🐣 Easter – “Catch the Chick”

🐥 Scarf = Baby chick or feather

• Parent says “Catch the chick!”

• Children must react quickly to catch the falling chick.

• Add a hopping or bunny jump to catch it before it lands.

• Could hide a small treat underneath the scarf as a reward.

🌞 Summer – “Butterfly Catch”

🦋 Scarf = Butterfly

• Parent says “Butterfly in the air!”

• Kids catch with soft, two-hand clap like wings.

• Encourage gentle movement and big smiles like they’re in a meadow.

• Add music or a breeze for immersive atmosphere.

Space Hop 🌌🎾

🎾 Best for small groups (3–6 kids per coach). For larger groups, split into separate “galaxies”. Similar concept to Fruit Salad.

🛰 Story Script (Set the Scene!)

"Welcome to Space Hop Mission Control! 👩‍🚀👨‍🚀
You're each standing on your very own planet (coloured dot) and preparing to blast off. You'll take turns launching tennis balls into space (groundstrokes) and watch out — meteors might strike at any moment! Keep your helmets on (cone hats), stay alert, and don’t float away in zero gravity!"

🧠 Purpose

• Develop forehand and backhand groundstrokes
• Improve footwork, alertness, and reaction time
• Add imagination and engagement through themed play

🏗 Set-Up

• Line up children sideways on dots (planets), parallel to the net
• Coach stands at one end feeding drop feeds (use forehand/backhand depending on side)
• First child in line hits repeatedly — others bounce on toes until it’s their turn
• Coach uses commands to cue changes

🔁 How It Works

• One child at the front hits as many balls as possible while others bounce on their dots
• When coach calls "Space Hop!" 🚀 → everyone moves up one planet and new child becomes hitter
• If anyone stops bouncing (or whenever coach decides) → "Meteor Strike!" ☄️ → coach rolls a ball down the line and they must jump over it
• Call "Meteor Shower!" 🌧 → all kids must dash to the fence and back to their dot without getting tagged by coach’s throws
• Say "Zero Gravity!" 🌕 → kids must spin around once on their dot and continue bouncing
• Add silly extras: wear traffic cones as space helmets 🪖 (upside down), or name the planets (Mars, Venus, Jupiter...)

🪶 Feathers (Easier Variations)

• Shorten distance of feed
• Use foam balls
• Let parents assist on dots or near the net
• Allow underarm throws instead of racquet hits
• Skip meteor elements for very young groups

⚡ Progressions (Older / Confident Players)

• Add targets to hit (like hoops or cones) with rewards, like a shield from the next meteor strike (don’t have to run)
• Score how many balls are hit in a row
• Coach switches ends for backhands
• Add a spinning serve or bounce-hit before space hop
• Have two kids hitting alternately on two sides

🏆 Finishing Ideas

• Final round = “Meteor Mayhem!” — Coach rolls lots of balls while kids dodge back to their dots
• Award space wristbands, star stickers 🌟, or medals
• Take a group photo with cones on heads = Space Crew Shot 📸🛸

Seasonal Variations

🎃 Halloween Hop

• Dots = Pumpkins

• Rename "Space Hop" to “Pumpkin Pop” – kids line up behind pumpkins to smash spooky balls.

• “Meteor Strike” = Witch’s Curse – kids dodge flying broomsticks (rolled balls).

• “Meteor Shower” = Ghost Chase – kids must run to the graveyard (fence) and back without being tagged by ghosts (coaches rolling balls).

• “Zero Gravity” = Zombie Spin – kids spin like dizzy zombies before returning to position.

• 👻 Kids wear witch hats or masks made from round cones.

🎄 Christmas Comet

• Dots = Presents or sleigh stops

• Rename "Space Hop" to “Santa Serve”

• “Meteor Strike” = Snowball Fight – dodge snowballs rolled by coaches.

• “Meteor Shower” = Sleigh Dash – run to North Pole and back.

• “Zero Gravity” = Elf Spins – spin around like dizzy elves.

• 🎅 Hats = Santa hats, elf ears, or round cones decorated as snow caps.

🐣 Easter Orbit

• Dots = Easter Eggs

• Rename "Space Hop" to “Egg Blast”

• “Meteor Strike” = Bunny Hop – dodge carrots (balls) while hopping on the spot.

• “Meteor Shower” = Egg Hunt Dash – run to the fence and back to “find” their egg.

• “Zero Gravity” = Chick Spin – kids flap their arms and spin like little chicks.

• 🐰 Hats = Bunny ears or round cones with egg stickers.

💘 Valentine Volley

• Dots = Love Hearts

• Rename "Space Hop" to “Heart Shot”

• “Meteor Strike” = Cupid’s Arrow – dodge heart-shaped balls

• “Meteor Shower” = Love Sprint – run to give a “heart” (high five) to a parent and back.

• “Zero Gravity” = Spin of Love – spin with arms open.

• ❤️ Hats = Cone helmets with hearts on top.