Bowling
Bowl blocks, stacking cups, toys - anything can be a pin in this flexible gross motor activity
A handy play for all ages when you want to get your kids moving & engaged, and aren't too sure what else to do with all those balls lying around. Babies will enjoy observing the fun lesson in cause & effect, while toddlers & up can find a variety of challenges with this very adjustable play.
Use any type of balls that have a bit of weight to them (ball pit ones are probably a bit too light). Pins can be whatever you like - if it follows their interests all the better. Wooden peg people are the fave in our house, alongside block towers, magnetic tiles, cups, and of course, Bluey / Peppa figurines.
One variation of this play is adding a big cardboard tube (like a poster container) to roll the ball through - a big hit over here! More ideas for play extension below.
Materials
Prep
Set up your DIY pins about a metre away from where you place the ball/s. You might want to make it easier to start, with a bunch of pins close together.
Play
Step 1:
Demo bowling yourself. If you miss, even better! A great way to encourage them to try again and role model a growth mindset.
Step 2:
Invite them to have a turn, and make running over to pick up the pins again part of the fun (yay for bonus active play)
Extend
Tube roll: Add a large tube to roll the ball down for an extra dynamic to the play
Bowl : Adding towers can extend the play in so many ways. Hit them from smallest to biggest, by colour, etc.
Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling: Put glow sticks inside empty plastic bottles to create glowing pins for a nighttime or dark-room bowling adventure.
