Archipelago 🎾 🏝️🏖️🌊

Setup

Best for Titans or older Tots

· Place flat marker spots (“islands”) around the court or playing area, spaced out so there’s room to move between them.

·   Each child starts with a racket and a beanbag balanced on it.

How to Play

1.     Children move around the space balancing their beanbags on their rackets.

2.     The coach blows a whistle or calls “Move!/GO!” to start movement, and “Islands!” to signal that they must find an island to stand on.

3.     After each round, remove one or more islands to create a shortage.

4.     The last child to reach an island is out (or does a fun forfeit like 5 star jumps before re-joining).

Variations:

Movement Changes:

·       Walking, jogging, running

·       Crab walks, bunny hops, skipping, backwards walking

·       Side-steps, cross-overs, zig-zag patterns

Balancing Challenges:

·       Flip the beanbag and catch it before landing it back on the racket while moving

·       Swap the beanbag for a tennis ball (harder to balance)

·       Use smaller rackets or turn the racket upside-down (handle up) for extra difficulty

·       Add a “one-hand only” rule (non-dominant hand for advanced players)

Extra Game Elements:

·       Safe Zone Rule: Instead of being “out,” players without a dot do 5 keep-ups, a short rally with a partner, or a mini challenge before re-joining.

·       Island Types: Colour-code spots to mean different tasks (e.g., blue = balance on one leg, red = bounce the ball 3 times before staying).

·       Moving Islands: Coach or helpers slowly move a spot during play—players can chase it to claim it.

·       Double Trouble: Two players must share the same island without dropping their beanbags.

Scoring Option: Award points for each successful island claim instead of eliminating players—the winner is the one with the most points after a set number of rounds.

Seasonal Variants

🎄 Christmas – “Melting Ice Floes” 🧊🎅

The islands are icebergs floating in the North Pole!
🎁 Santa’s helpers (children) must carefully cross the icy sea with presents (beanbags) balanced on their sleds (rackets).
When the coach yells "Freeze!", they must find an ice floe to land on — but some are melting (remove spots each round)!
🔁 Swap beanbags for wrapped foam presents or red/green beanbags for extra festivity.

🐣 Easter – “Hopping Egg Islands” 🐰🥚

Kids are Easter Bunnies hopping around with eggs (beanbags or small balls) balanced on their spoons (rackets).
Coach shouts "Bunny Burrow!" and kids must jump onto a safe island.
🌼 Use egg-shaped beanbags and add bunny hop or egg-flip challenges during movement rounds.

🎃 Halloween – “Ghost Island Dash” 👻🍬

Players are trick-or-treaters carrying candy on their trays (beanbags on rackets), moving through a haunted forest.
Coach shouts “BOO!” — and they must dash to the nearest safe zone (spot) before the ghosts get them!
🎃 Some spots can be “haunted” (e.g., red spots = hold your breath, or spin once before continuing).

💘 Valentine’s – “Heart Islands” 💖💌

Children are mail carriers delivering love letters (beanbags) on heart-shaped trays (rackets).
When the coach calls “Delivery Time!”, they rush to find an island mailbox (marker spot).
💌 Use red/pink beanbags and let some spots have a “Love Challenge” (e.g., say something kind before rejoining).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day – “Breakfast in Bed” 🍳☕

Kids are servers carrying breakfast on trays (beanbags), trying not to spill!
Coach yells “Wake up!”, and they must safely reach a bed (spot) before mum or dad sees the mess.
🌞 Add creative tasks like balancing on one leg or delivering to specific colours for “tea,” “toast,” or “fruit.”