{Play} Cup & Ball Toss
March 23, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Yes, this is a kid-friendly blog with ideas for preschooler and toddler play.
Yes, I realize the dangers of adolescent drinking.
Yes, I know I have a sometimes adolescent sense of humor.
No, I did not tell my daughter she was learning how to play Beer Pong.
No, beer was not consumed during this activity.
Yes, I do think that building her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in this activity now will help her with socialization and team-building skills in the future.
Yes, that was a joke.
Materials
- Stackable plastic cups
- Lightweight plastic balls
How To
Seriously, this was a really great activity that Jane was consumed with for over half an hour. Just setting up different cup configurations was fun for her and when she finally figured out she could make patterns with stacked cups, her imagination really took off. Throwing the ball into the cups was an added bonus. And while she was less confident with her aiming abilities at the beginning, after a while she really got into it and she turned it into a “game.” (I didn’t tell her we were playing a game, but just put the cups and balls out and showed her that you could toss a ball into a cup while she was stacking).
LEARN! Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration
For more aiming and coordination activities, check out our Crayon Bowling post!
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Chrissy – who has written 426 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.
It is amazing how something as simple as sorting and stacking cups can keep kids occupied and engaged for ages. Throw a ball into the mix and it makes the game that much sweeter. Your reference to beer pong made me chuckle as well. Definitely a skill worth learning early.
Well, I can’t send her out into the world without these “valuable” life skills
And yes, I totally know what you mean about the simplest activities being the best ones. Thanks for stopping by, Amy!
Wow- It’s a good thing Jess’ Facebook Wall was saved from the horrendous images of Special Agent Oso birthday parties, shadow puppet bathtime, salted peppermint bark and egregious acts of playfulness that shouldn’t tarnish the purest of eyes. Shucks. I bet you miss her, don’t you, Chrissy?
Always making me laugh, Tricia
Really? What was the point in putting the word beer pong in the title aside from trying to create sensationalism to draw people to your blog? Unfollowed you from Facebook.
I’m sad to see you go and hope that you’ll come back to visit a post that you think is sensational rather than sensationalism! I choose to blog authentically, and that means sharing my thoughts - no matter how silly - while I’m playing a game with my toddler or whatever it is I’m posting about. I actually thought the opposite of you - that I would lose people from my blog rather than draw people in (especially the kid blogger crowd who might think it was inappropriate) - and unfortunately in your case I was right. My mother also didn’t get it, but then she’s never played beer pong and probably is a lot more mature than I am. Thanks for following along all this time - I really do appreciate the blog love and support
Great idea! And a perfect to chance to practice those hard-earned skills from college! 😉
I was chuckling to my college self the whole time, wishing I could let her in on it, but no, I am not THAT inappropriate. Just a little
I’ve actually never played beer pong- and had no idea this is how you played it- So, it really WAS educational in a serious sense. So, when people talk about it, I’ll think of this post.
I think the rules might be more strict about placement of the cups, but I’m sure after a few rounds it will turn out like the toddler version
Glad to be of service - ha ha!