Whac-a-Mole 🎾🐾 🟡
Set-Up:
Create a “field of molehills” using round cones spaced safely apart. Place a soft ball (the mole) on top of each cone TIP: IF YOU FOLLOW THIS GAME FROM HITTING ON TEES YOU CAN GET THE KIDS TO RUN AROUND AND PUT THE BALLS ON THE CONES (BUILD IT AS PART OF THE GAME)
Ensure there’s ample space between each cone so children swinging rackets don’t accidentally hit each other.
👧🧒 Phase 1 – Whack the Moles:
Children are armed with rackets and must run around the field whacking the moles (balls) off the molehills (cones).
Emphasise controlled swings and good body positioning – low to high action, knees bent, eyes on the target.
🦅 Phase 2 – Enter the Naughty Crows:
Coaches and parents act as “naughty crows,” flying around the field putting the moles back on their molehills as fast as the kids knock them off.
It becomes a fun battle: children whack, adults restore!
🔁 Phase 3 – Swap Roles:
Children become the crows and rebuild the field, placing the balls back on the cones while coaches (or other kids) now try to knock them off.
This helps improve fine motor control, speed, and teamwork.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for younger children):
Let children use their hands to knock moles off at first before introducing rackets.
Reduce the number of cones for smaller groups.
Slow down the “crows” and give children time to succeed.
Let them focus on one molehill at a time (e.g., “Try and whack the red mole!”)
⚡ Progressions (Challenge older or more advanced kids):
Require children to hit the mole off in a specific direction (e.g. toward a target zone).
Give them a time limit (e.g. “Knock off 5 moles in 30 seconds!”)
Use weaker hand (non-dominant) or backhand only.
Add obstacles they must navigate between molehills (cones, mini hurdles).
Play to music – when music stops, all freeze! (adds reaction speed)
🧠 Whac-a-Mole – Seasonal Variations
🎄 Christmas – Whack-a-Grinch
Use green cones with balls on top to represent mischievous Grinches! Children dribble with their rackets to the Grinch wall and try to knock them down with controlled swings — careful not to wake Santa! 🎅💥
🐣 Easter – Whack-an-Easter Egg
Use pastel-coloured cones with egg-shaped balls or decorated beanbags on top. These are hidden Easter Eggs! Kids must dribble toward the Easter wall and carefully “whack” the eggs off using their racket — each one reveals a surprise! 🥚🌈
🎃 Halloween – Whack-a-Ghost
Transform cones into ghostly shapes using white cloth or stickers and place balls on top. Children sneak toward the haunted line and try to knock off the spooky ghosts with their racket. 👻🎾
💘 Valentine’s Day – Whack-a-Heart
Place pink or red cones with heart-shaped stickers and small balls on top. Kids take turns knocking down the hearts — one swing at a time — sharing giggles with their racket buddies 💘🏹
👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Whack-a-Flower Pot
Set up cones like colourful flower pots with balls as blossoms. Kids “whack” off the old petals to “help the garden grow” for Mum or Dad 🌸🪴 — perfect for Springtime creativity.