Overview
A simple, fun game that is perfect for all ages, even the little ones. If you don't have any beanbags, don't fret. I've got tons of ways to you can make them at home with ordinary household items.
Age
Preschool, School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
3 to 4, 5 to 10Team Division
Every man for himself (individual players), Teamwork! (divide into teams)Competitiveness
Either/or (can be played either way)Difficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor or Outdoor
OutdoorsSpace Needed
Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
Semi-rambunctiousPrep Time
5 - 10 minutesGame Time Length
15 - 30 minutesSupplies
Setup
1. Line your players up behind the start line. You can have teams of 3-4 players, 4 individual players lined up side by side, or all the players in a line front to back (to take turns). The arrangement is up to you.
2. Set the buckets about 10 feet in front of each player, team, or line of players.
3. Place the 1-3 bean bags on the floor directly in front of the the first players.
How to Play
1. On "Go!" the first players will do their best to throw the bean bags into the bucket.
2. The goal is to get all of the bean bags into the bucket.
3. If a bean bag does not make it into the bucket, the player must run to retrieve the bean bag, run back to the start line, and then try to throw it in the bucket again.
4. The first person to get all the bean bags in the bucket wins!
5. If you are playing as a relay race, each player must run to the bucket after they have successfully thrown all the bean bags, take the bean bags out and run with them back to the start line for the next player to have a turn.
6. Again, the first team to have each player throw the bean bags in the bucket wins.
Variations
1. This game can be varied in many ways. Depending upon the object you use for a bucket, you can change the theme and focus of the children involved.
2. You can use a cowboy boot for a bucket and call it "Boot Toss."
3. Here are some other examples:
- Laundry hamper: "Dirty Laundry Toss"
- Cooking pot: "Potato Toss"
Tips
1. If you do not own bean bags, have no fear... Sophie's here! Simply fill a plastic baggie with rice or beans. Seal it, and then double bag it into another baggie.
2. Or you can stuff a water balloon with sand, then place it inside another water balloon.
3. You can even use a rolled up pair of socks! This would go nicely with the "Dirty Laundry Toss" idea.
4. Also, if you don't have buckets... no problem! Use empty milk cartons; simply cut off the top. Grocery shopping bags work well too!
5. Finally, you can use specific colored bean bags or types of buckets to emulate particular themes. For example, you can toss "tea bags" into "tea kettles" or "dance shoes" into a "dance bag."