Hallway Bowling

At home banner

A classic game of family fun, right in your very own home! Uses water bottles or appropriate toys.

Set up

Set up 10 (you can also use less - 6 or 3 will also work in a traditional formation) water bottles/objects that can be knocked down. Set these up in an area that is relatively free of other furniture. Place a marker a suitable distance away from your 'bowling pins' directly infront. The bowler gets a small ball.

How to play
Step 1:
  • The child stands on the marker, and rolls the ball at the pins
Step 2:
  • Count up how many you knocked over - this is your score
Step 3:
  • If you have some still standing, roll again and see if you can knock them over!
  • Once all the pins have been knocked over/2 turns have been taken, reset the pins and play again, or the next child takes their turn 
Variations
Make it easier
  • Stand closer to the pins
  • Use a larger ball, like a soccer ball
  • Use two hands to push the ball at the pins
Make it harder
  • Use bendy hallways to bounce the ball off the walls and then towards the pins for an extra challenge
  • Stand further away from the pins
  • Use a smaller ball, like a bouncy ball
  • Use your non-dominant hand
Activity information
Age: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Participants: 1 +
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

For a bowling motion, encourage children to use a gentle underarm throw/roll. Follow these teaching cues;

  1. Step forward
  2. Swing arm forward
  3. Roll (fire)
Physical literacy tips
  • Play first with pins set up traditionally, then change up the pattern to however you like! Try your initial
  • Keep score if you like - write it up on a piece of paper