The Game of the Week: Snowball Alley

As winter approaches, some of us across the country have our eyes out for the first snow. With snow, comes a whole new set of games. In that anticipation, the Game of the Week (no snow necessary) is Snowball Alley!

Group Size: 
 Large group (10 or more)
Age Group: 
 Pre K/K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5
Length of Activity: 
 10 minutes or more
Developmental Goal: 
 To develop strategic thinking and agility.
Equipment: 
 Bouncy Balls, Cones
Before You Start: 
  • Clearly define the safety rules:
    • Rolling the ball underhand only. Demonstrated this and have all players practice with an imaginary ball.
    • All balls should be low to the ground, below players' knees.
  • Teach and give a fair consequence for throwing balls above the knees, such as telling the leader why it is safest to roll the ball below the knees or running to a designated spot on the playground before returning.
  • Divide the fairly group into two teams.
  • One team lines up shoulder to shoulder at one end of the alley.
  • Divide the second team in half. Each half stands outside either set of cones, with the alley in the middle.
  • Explain the rules and ask the players to explain them back to you.
Set Up: 
Find a rectangle area and create an "alleyway" with the cones. Spread out the balls outside the alley.
How To Play: 
  • When the teams are in their positions and ready, give a signal to start the game. 
  • The running team now has ten seconds to run from one end of the alley to the other. 
  • As they are running, the other team attempts to roll the “snowballs” underhand and hit the runners below the knees. 
  • Throwers must stay behind the cones when they roll or it doesn’t count if they hit someone. 
  • If a runner gets hit or does not make it to the other end of the alley in ten seconds they cheer in a designated area. 
  • When all of the runners are eliminated the teams switch roles.
Variations: 
  • For more advanced players, allow players to throw the balls underhand below the waist or knees.

 

Find more new and exciting games in our games database!