Let's Play! — beTOGETHERstl

Let’s Play!

Beach Ball Games

Letter/Color Smash

How to Play: Attach different color construction paper to any wall or door. Be sure to attach at an appropriate height! The older your children are, the more complicated you can make it (using letters, sight words, the answers to math equations, etc). Draw a line on the floor using masking tape, have the child stand at the line, and have them aim the ball at the letters or colors as you call them out! Promotes gross motor skills, and letter/color recognition.
Blanket Toss

How to Play: Place the beach ball on top of the blanket. Have each member of the family hold a corner of the blanket. Bounce the beach ball as high as it will go, then catch it on the blanket. See how many times you can catch it in a row before it hits the ground! Promotes gross motor skills and interpersonal skills.
Beach Ball Basketball

How to Play: Grab an empty hamper or laundry basket and place it across the room. Place masking tape on the floor at an age-appropriate distance per age. Set a timer and see how many baskets your child can make in a minute! Promotes gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Beach Ball Bowling

How to Play: Set up “bowling pins” in a hallway using simple items around the home (cereal boxes, water bottles, paper towel or toilet paper rolls, etc.). Bowl! Promotes gross motor skills.
Catch & Do

How to Play: Using a washable marker, write silly instructions on each color of the beach ball. Play toss with your child. Whatever color their left hand falls on, they must do that action until they catch the ball on the next turn! Simple ideas include: Do a silly dance, bark like a dog (cat, cow, etc), jump up and down, hop on one foot, spin around in a circle. Promotes gross motor skills, interpersonal skills and hand-eye coordination.
Beach Ball Volleyball

How to Play: Set up a “net” using a long piece of string or twine. As the child stands on one side of the net and you stand on the other, begin to bounce the ball back and forth. See how long you can keep the ball going! Can also be played in teams. Promotes gross motor skills, interpersonal skills and physical activity.
Paper Towel Baseball

How to Play: Using masking tape, create square “bases” in a space in your home. Toss the ball to your child as they swing using a paper towel roll (or pool noodle)! Promotes gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination and interpersonal skills.
"Foot" Ball

How to Play: Have your child take of their shoes and lay on the floor with their feet in the air. Place the ball on/in between their feet and see how long they can hold it there! Promotes gross motor skills and physical activity.

Blanket Games

Ten in the Bed

How to Play: Tuck 10 stuffed animals in a blanket and act out the classic children’s song, Ten in the Bed. “There were ten in the bed and the little one said, ‘Roll over! Roll over!’ So they all rolled over and one fell out…There were nine in the bed, and the little one said, ‘Roll over! Roll over!’ So they all rolled over and one fell out…” Continue until one stuffed animal is left saying, “Alone at last!” Teaches musical patterns, number recognition and interpersonal skills.
Hot Dog

How to Play: Invite your child to lay in the middle of the blanket and tell them you’re going to turn them into a giant hot dog! Ask them to tell you what condiments they want on the hot dog and act out putting each of these on in a funny way (example: big slurping sounds for the ketchup, tickles for the pickles). When everything is on the hot dog, wrap your child up in the blanket and pretend to eat them! Teaches verbal cues and interpersonal play.
Animal Peek-A-Boo

How to Play: Hide under the blanket and encourage your child to come over lift it up. When they do, pop out from underneath and make a big animal sound! Repeat the game, popping out as a different animal every time your child lifts up the blanket. Teaches physical participation and interpersonal play.
Blanket Memory

How to Play: Show a handful of items (start with 3 to 5, depending on your child’s ability) that you have hidden under a blanket for 30 seconds. Cover the items and have your child try to name as many objects as they can recall! Teaches memorization.
Upside Down & Back Again

How to Play: The group stands on a blanket, with the topside facing the ground. Players must work together to turn the blanket right side up without leaving the blanket or touching the ground! Teaches interpersonal play.
Magic Carpet Ride

How to Play: Have your child sit on the blanket as you ‘fly’ them around the ‘world’ (room)! Use your destinations to prompt your child’s imagination. Heading to the beach? What do you see? (Whales, sandcastles, etc.) Going to the mountains? What might you find? Teaches imaginative play.