Objective
This game allows the children to practise throwing with high-intensity physical activity. The children also practise numbers, as they must run the same number of penalty loops as the targets they miss.
Instructions
- Create a biathlon track that allows shooting in both a sitting (on knees) and standing position. The track can include obstacles, if desired. Create penalty loops as well.
- The children run around the track and stop when they reach the ‘shooting area’. In the ‘shooting area’, the children throw five stones/bean bags/snowballs into a bucket or through a hula hoop (which can be laid on the ground or hung up).
- The number of missed targets determines the number of penalty loops to run. If the child does not make any misses, he/she runs straight to the next shooting.
Tips
- It’s good to have shooting areas that challenge the children in different ways. When trying to throw into a bucket, many children will choose to throw underarm, and when trying to throw through a hanging hula hoop, many will choose to throw overarm.
Variation
- It is preferable that the children are involved when creating the biathlon track and adding obstacles.
- For instance, a third shooting could be added where the children shall roll a ball and knock down five cones. The number of cones left standing determines the number of penalty loops to run.
- The game can be organised as a relay with two to three children on each team. One of the children runs one round first and then exchanges with the next child.
- The game can also be played on skis.
Equipment
Bean bags/stones/snowballs
Buckets or hula hoops