Chalk Bounces

Use chalk to draw shapes in this fun and interactive way to develop your child's bouncing and catching skills.

Set up

Using chalk, draw out shapes, animals, numbers or patterns with your child. Allocate an action for each drawing, for example;

  • Animal drawings = act like that animal
  • Numbers = do an action this number of times
  • Shapes
    • Stars = star jumps
    • Circles = spin jumps
    • Foot = hopping
    • Moon = moon walk (give it your best!)
    • Music note = dance
    • Zzz = pretend to sleep

Give a child the basketball. All other participants stand nearby.

How to play
Step 1:
  • Draw out your game - use shapes, numbers, or animals. Get as creative as you can!
  • The child with the basketball begins bouncing their ball on the symbols in a controlled manner
Step 2:
  • The other children/adults must complete the actions depicted by the symbols that were bounced on, for example;
    • A child bounces the ball on the number 3, a star, a Zzz, and a bird
    • All other participants must do a star jump, pretend to sleep, and fly around like a bird, a total of 3 times.
Step 3:
  • Let the child have a few rounds, then swap bouncers and continue playing!
Variations
Make it easier
  • Use a two handed bounce and catch
  • Print (and laminate if you like) pictures of symbols instead of chalk drawings
Make it harder
  • After dribbling the ball once, the child must catch it with one hand to stop it (instead of two) before the next symbol
  • Go faster to challenge all players!
  • Non-dribbling participants must wait until the sequence is done before beginning - test your memory!
Activity information
Age: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3
Participants: 2 +
Equipment: Chalk, Laminated pictures (optional)
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

To use this game to practice basketball dribbling, use the KIDDO teaching cues;

  1. Push the ball down with your fingers (pat the dog)
  2. Ball in front and to the side
  3. Bounce ball up to your waist
Physical literacy tips
  • Draw all together
  • Use your children's favourite objects and things as a part of this game, e.g if your child likes Bluey, draw a dog