Throwing Bowling

Learning Outcomes

This activity develops coordination of arms and torso, fine motor control, and the ability to read distances. These skills transfer to sports and activities that involve throwing an object accurately over a perceived distance (e.g., balls, frisbees, ribbons, sticks, batons).
 

Description Of Activity

Collect a few empty milk cartons or plastic drink bottles and fill the bottoms with 2 cm of garden soil, sand, or gravel.
Set up the cartons or drink bottles as bowling targets at the top end of a driveway beside your house, inside your garage, or inside a large basement room without breakable objects.
Choose a place where you and your child will bowl from. You might want to let your child bowl from a shorter distance than you.
Show your child how to do a basic bowling action.
If you are bowling right-handed, your left leg should step forward as you bowl. If you are bowling left-handed, your right leg should step forward. TIP: Your throwing hand should come from straight behind and under your shoulder, almost brushing your leg.
Take turns bowling and trying to knock down the cartons or plastic bottles.

Variations

• As your child's throwing improves, try making a game where you keep score each milk carton can be worth 1-3 points

Equipment/Material Required

• A large hard surface such as a driveway, sidewalk, garage, or basement room
• Large round balls such as basketball or soccer ball
• Old milk cartons or plastic drink bottles
• A small amount of sand or soil