5 games you can hang from the ceiling

5 games you can hang from the ceiling

Are you looking for simple ideas to guarantee the children in your group will have fun on rainy days? Read on to discover five games you can hang from the ceiling.

We all know that children need to move and be active. Whether it’s inside or outside, they need space to unleash their energy. We tend to explore gross motor skills more during outdoor play, but finding alternatives that make it possible for children to move indoors is important.

Hang the following inexpensive games from the ceiling and children will have fun for hours.

The hanging target

You will need:

• Plastic balls
• A sturdy cardboard box
• Scissors
• Rope

Cut one side of the box so you have a cardboard rectangle. Cut several targets out of this rectangle, big enough for the balls to fit through the holes. Use the rope to hang the cardboard from the ceiling. Children stand in front of it and try to toss the balls through the holes.

Hanging baseball

You will need:

• Plastic balls
• Rope
• Heavy-duty adhesive tape
• Swimming pool noodles

Cut the rope into sections and stick one on each ball. Hang the balls from the ceiling so they are approximately level with children’s heads. Children can use a swimming pool noodle to hit the balls.

Punching bags

You will need:

• Nylon stockings
• Balloons

Inflate the balloons. Insert each balloon in a nylon stocking, pushing them all the way down so that if a balloon pops, the stocking it is in will collect the tiny pieces of rubber. Hang the stockings from the ceiling so the balloons are level with children’s heads. Let children push and hit the balloons. They can also play with a partner. If they stand on either side of a balloon, they will enjoy tossing it back and forth.

Hanging hula hoop

You will need:

• A hula hoop
• Rope
• Balls

Tie the rope to the hula hoop and hang it from the ceiling. Children try to toss the balls through the hoop.

Disappearing balls

You will need:

• A cardboard box
• Rope
• Balls

Make a hole in the four corners of the box and insert the rope. Use the rope to hang the box from the ceiling. It must be high enough so that children can’t see its contents. The goal of the game is for children to toss the balls in the box. Once all the balls are in the box, tip it over, let the balls fall to the floor, and repeat.

Have fun!