An alternative summer activity program for kids
The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible by recording one score for each of the 10 activities listed below.
You have one week to complete the tasks.
Some tasks will need some practise, and you might find some easier than others. So make sure you plan your week to make sure you give yourself enough time to complete the tasks — good luck.
Throw, catch, hit and aim:
5 points for throwing and catching against a wall. Using underarm throws. Throw and catch the ball with your right hand. Now try it with your left. Now try it balancing on your left leg, then on your right leg. Now complete 20 throws using a mixture of the throws you have just practised.
Another 5 points are on offer if you can take 5 long steps away from the wall and still complete 20 throws and catches without dropping the ball once.
Jumping and landing:
Not everyone has a skipping rope. But I’m sure we can all find a line to jump over. Find as many ways as you can to jump over a line. Sideways, with wide feet, narrow feet, forwards, backward, twisting, turning. 1 point per day up to a maximum of 7 points.
Running:
10 points if you organise a game of tag or bulldogs with your friends.
Or you prefer to run on your own.
Run around the centre circle of a football pitch, clockwise and then anticlockwise 3 times each way.
Then try starting, stopping, going sideways, backward, fast, and slow as many times as you can in 10 minutes. Use the lines on a football pitch to remind you to do a different style of running each time your feet touch a line. Have fun.
Kick and shoot:
5 Points for this activity. All you need for this game is a wall and a ball. If you play football already, use a tennis ball, if not use a football.
The aim of the game is to build a rhythm. left foot, right foot, and so on until you get to 20 passes without losing control of the ball.
Rolling, ducking, and turning:
How many different types of rolling do you know? 5 points if you can go the width of a sports pitch using different rolls.
Here are 3 to get you started. Pencil roll, forward roll, and teddy bear roll.
Balance and falling:
5 points for finding 3 trees that have fallen down and keeping your balance as you walk the length of the fallen tree. If you fall off, go again, until you make it across without touching the floor.
There are another 5 points up for grabs, if you create a balance where you are inverted, upside down, it doesn’t need to be a full handstand, get creative, pull some shapes, and use a wall if you don’t have a partner.
Move and make music:
There will be dance and theatre classes running in your area. Go along and give them a try.
No access to classes. No problem, music in the garden or a YOUtube video will be just as much fun. 10 points when your feet find the beat.
Wave and swing:
Not all parks have monkey bars so this challenge might take some research. Pick up 10 points if you can make it frmo one end to the other. Not yet? No problem, you get 5 points and now you have something to work on.
Climbing and scrambling:
5 Points for climbing 4 different trees. The same 5 points are on offer if you go to a bouldering wall.
Pushing, shoving, and fighting:
Let’s not start a fight with your brother or sister. Instead, get 4 friends or members of the family and have a tug of war match. Best of 3 wins. Don’t forget to tell us how you get on. Good luck. I’d love to know how you get on. You can contact me here.
