Build and Destroy

children throwing balls

A creative game that develops the skill of throwing. Children set up and design their own targets, ready to destroy them!

Note: You can swap throwing for any other skill that might be relevant to you, e.g AFL kicking, soccer kicking, cricket striking, teeball hitting etc.

build and destroy set up image
Set up

Build a tower made out of a variety of interesting objects, such as buckets, cricket wickets, soft toys, pillows, boxes, laundry baskets etc. The more variety the better! Once children have built their targets they can move a few metres away (this will depend on age and throwing ability), collect a ball or a beanbag and start destroying!

How to play
Step 1:
  • Explain to the children that they will be setting their own targets up - children can either choose to build a target all together or build individual targets
    • You can have an example set up, but encourage them to use equipment creatively
  • Once targets are set up, children stand 5 metres away with their ball or beanbag
Step 2:
  • When you say "Ready, Aim, Fire", the children throw their ball at the targets
  • Collect their ball and have another throw
  • See how many throws you need to destroy your target
Step 3:
  • Rebuild the targets, trying new equipment or ideas
  • When the group is ready, throw again!
Variations
Make it easier
  • Start the children closer
  • Try rolling the ball at the targets
Make it harder
  • Start the children further away
  • Make small, more difficult to hit targets
  • Have different targets worth differing amounts of points
Activity information
Age: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Kindergarten / Pre-school, Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Participants: 1 +
Equipment: Targets, Balls
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Kicking (soccer) Overarm Throw Punt Striking Underarm Throw
Skill teaching

Once the targets have been set up, demonstrate how to throw. Practice throwing without a ball or beanbag to start with;

  1. Ready: Stand like a surfer (side-on)
  2. Aim: Make a muscle man (throwing arm bent up above shoulder), point non-throwing arm at target
  3. Fire: Step on the star (step with opposite foot onto star marker) and throw
Physical literacy tips
  • Have a large variety of objects to use - soft toys, buckets, laundry baskets, boxes, other sporting equipment
  • Give children a time limit on how long they have to build