SCARVES 🧣 – Catch & React
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
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.
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.
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.