Children's Sports Activities

Broom Soccer

• In this variation of soccer, which is intended for six or more players, children use brooms and dustpans in lieu of their feet to score goals. The game is played by dividing players into two teams. In an unobstructed area, mark two goals about 30 feet across from each other by placing pieces of duct tape on the ground. The area in between the two goals serves as the playing field. Choose a goalie for each team. Provide goalies with dustpans and all other team players with brooms. A foam ball works better for this game than a traditional soccer ball because the foam is lighter and easier to move with a broom. Players push the ball with their brooms, trying to score a goal by pushing it into the opposing team's goal. The goalies use their dustpans to try to keep the opposing team from scoring a goal. The team who scores the most points wins the game.

Milk Carton Bowling

• This is a rendition of bowling that four or more kids will enjoy playing. Recycle and thoroughly clean out 10 milk cartons. Arrange them on the ground in a bowling pin triangle formation. Approximately 10 feet away from the milk cartons, mark a point for children to bowl from by placing a strip of duct tape on the ground. Split kids up into teams of two. Provide each team with a foam ball. To play the game, children stand on the line--one at a time--and roll the ball on the ground, trying to knock down all of the milk cartons. Each player is given two turns to try to knock down all of the pins on each of their turns and are given 10 turns. The team to knock down the most pins throughout the game wins.

Box Golf

• This game provides a fun way for two or more kids to develop their hand-eye coordination. From a home supply store, purchase three medium-sized boxes. Another option is to ask your local grocery store if they have boxes they would be willing to donate to your cause. Place the boxes on the ground in a line so that their openings are facing forward. From a toy store, purchase a set of toy golf clubs, or brooms can be used in lieu of clubs. Provide children with three golf balls and a club or a broom. Mark a spot for children to shoot their balls from by laying a piece of duct tape on the ground about 10 feet away from the boxes. Children place their balls on the line and try to shoot them into the boxes. For each ball that lands in a box, a point is earned. The player to earn the most points wins the game.