• Open space, preferably outdoor
• Beanbags or homemade beanbags
• Masking tape or duct tape
• Sheets of 8.5 X 11 inch letter paper

Instructions

1. If you don’t have beanbags, make your own by filling round balloons with dry rice or beans and then tying them closed.
2. Tape 2 or 3 sheets of letter paper on a wall or garden fence as targets.
3. If you want, you can draw circular targets on the paper for added effect.
4. Choose a distance where you and your child will throw from.
5. Throw the beanbags at the targets.TIP: Show your child how to do a basic overhand throw.

   TIP: If you are throwing right-handed, your left leg should step forward.

   TIP: If you are throwing left-handed, your right leg should step forward.

   TIP: Your throwing hand should come from behind and over your shoulder.

6. Take turns throwing your beanbags at the targets.

Variations

• As your child’s throwing improves, try making a game where you keep score – each target might be worth 1-3 points, depending on how big it is, or how far it is from your throwing line
• As your child’s throwing improves, try increasing the throwing distance
• You can also practice target throwing at a beach where there are no people swimming – throw sticks into the water about 3-5 metres from shore, and throw small rocks to try to hit them

Benefits

This activity develops coordination of arms and torso, fine motor control, and the ability to “read” distances. These skills transfer to sports and activities that involve throwing an object accurately over a perceived distance (e.g., balls, frisbees, javelins, darts, ribbons, sticks, batons).