Kidoloo
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Corridor Bowling

Ten plastic bottles, a soft ball, and a hallway.

For ages3y - 11y
Time available25 min
Prep5 min
Mess
Noise
YouI will set it up, then step back

Genuine scoring practice and a good use of an otherwise pointless corridor.

What you need

  • empty plastic bottles
  • a soft ball
  • tape for a line

How to do it

  1. Stand ten empty bottles in a triangle at the end of a hallway.
  2. Add a little water to each if they fall too easily.
  3. Mark a bowling line with tape.
  4. Two rolls each turn, and add up the knockdowns.
  5. Keep a running total over ten turns.

Why this is good for them

An underarm roll along a line requires a controlled follow-through rather than force, which is a different skill from throwing and one children rarely practise. Keeping a running total across ten turns is sustained mental addition.

Adapting by age

3 to 4 yearsSix bottles, no water, and stand much closer.
10 to 12 yearsUse proper bowling scoring with spares and strikes.

Keep it safe

Empty plastic bottles only, never glass. Keep the lane clear.

Cleanup tip

Bottles into the recycling afterwards.

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