Pick Up Sticks

PDF: Pick Up Sticks

You will need: Foam balls, hoops (one for each player), foam blocks (one for each player)

How to play: All players place their block inside their hoop anywhere in the play area away from the walls and their job is to protect it from being knocked over by foam balls. By throwing the foam balls, kids try to knock over each others blocks. If your block is knocked over you do 10 jumping jacks, put your block back up and then rejoin the game. You cannot knock a block over with anything other than a ball and your block must me standing up before you can throw any more balls. If you knock your own block over you must do the jumping jacks.

Modifications:

  1. Adjust the size of the playing area depending on numbers of participants (less space means more action)
  2. Add more balls to increase the speed of the game.
  3. Play this game to practice kicking too by using feet instead of hands.
  4. For older players, adjust the rules to play in teams. When your block gets hit, you join that person’s team by moving your hoop and block beside theirs. If your block gets hit by someone else, you then move your block and hoop beside that person’s hoop and block. Eventually the entire group will be divided into two large teams.
Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7
Skill: Catching, Kicking, Throwing
Game Type: Group Activity
Equipment: Foam balls, Foam blocks

Introductory activity

Extension activity
  • Endball

CURRICULAR COMPETENCIES

Grade 4

Physical literacy

Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments

Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities

Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities

Healthy and active living

Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels

Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to participation in preferred types of physical activity at school, at home, and in the community

Identify and apply strategies for pursuing personal healthy living goals

Grade 5

Physical literacy

Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments

Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities

Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities

Healthy and active living

Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels

Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to participation in preferred types of physical activity at school, at home, and in the community

Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals

Grade 6

Physical literacy

Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments

Develop and apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities

Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities

Healthy and active living

Participate daily in physical activity designed to enhance and maintain health components of fitness

Describe how students’ participation in physical activities at school, at home, and in the community can influence their health and fitness

Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals

Grade 7

Physical literacy

Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments

Develop and apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities

Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities

Healthy and active living

Participate daily in physical activity designed to enhance and maintain health components of fitness

Describe how students’ participation in physical activities at school, at home, and in the community can influence their health and fitness

Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals