Ball and Triangle Game
A quick craft with things you probably already have around the house or classroom. In my opinion, it's BETTER than a ball and cup!
Gather Your Supplies
You will need:
1 sheet of paper
3 craft sticks
Glue (just a drop of Tacky glue works great)
Masking tape
Duct tape
Gimp/Craft Lace or thick string(I found that gimp works best because it doesn't tangle easily- especially if you have several people playing with theirs at once)
1 sheet of paper
3 craft sticks
Glue (just a drop of Tacky glue works great)
Masking tape
Duct tape
Gimp/Craft Lace or thick string(I found that gimp works best because it doesn't tangle easily- especially if you have several people playing with theirs at once)
Glue the Sticks
Glue the craft sticks into a triangle- making the corners as equal as you can. (I found this to be tough for a few of my 1st graders.) When it comes to glue, just a drop - not a lot. You don't want to wait forever for it to dry.
Making the Ball
While the sticks dry, you can make the ball.
Crumple your sheet of paper (a little smaller than a ping pong ball) and tightly wrap it with masking tape. 2 pieces works. Wrap the first piece going left to right↔ and the second piece going up and down ↕, sort of making it look like a wrapped present or a + .
Crumple it again.
Be sure to crumple it firmly, so it will be tight.
Crumple your sheet of paper (a little smaller than a ping pong ball) and tightly wrap it with masking tape. 2 pieces works. Wrap the first piece going left to right↔ and the second piece going up and down ↕, sort of making it look like a wrapped present or a + .
Crumple it again.
Be sure to crumple it firmly, so it will be tight.
Tape the String
Cut 18" of craft lace and tape one end to the ball. Be sure there isn't too much string being put under the tape because you don't want your string to get too much shorter.
*When it comes to the string, you can make it longer but just know that the longer it is, the more difficult the game will be. The ball will be more difficult to control. I found that for my 1st graders, 18" was a good level of difficulty.
*When it comes to the string, you can make it longer but just know that the longer it is, the more difficult the game will be. The ball will be more difficult to control. I found that for my 1st graders, 18" was a good level of difficulty.
Decorate the Ball
Decorate your ball with a layer of duct tape. Not only is it pretty but it will give weight to your ball, helping you to control it better.
Two strips 3 or 4 inches in length, that are cut the long way work well. (see picture)
Use the same + wrapping technique we used earlier with the masking tape. Wrap it tightly, and use smaller pieces of duct tape to cover any places where masking tape still shows. Again, be sure not to cover too much string.
Squeeze it so the entire ball packs in tightly.
Two strips 3 or 4 inches in length, that are cut the long way work well. (see picture)
Use the same + wrapping technique we used earlier with the masking tape. Wrap it tightly, and use smaller pieces of duct tape to cover any places where masking tape still shows. Again, be sure not to cover too much string.
Squeeze it so the entire ball packs in tightly.
Tie It On
By now, hopefully the glue on your triangle is dry. If not, wait a couple minutes.
Tie the empty end of the string to a side of the triangle.
Again, try not to use too much string. You really don't want a short string.
*Kids may need help with this. I tell them it's like the first step of tying your shoes. The "x-part" as they call it, and then the "x-part" again.
Tie the empty end of the string to a side of the triangle.
Again, try not to use too much string. You really don't want a short string.
*Kids may need help with this. I tell them it's like the first step of tying your shoes. The "x-part" as they call it, and then the "x-part" again.
Play Time!
Congratulations! You are the new owner of a brand new ball and triangle toy! What will you do next?
Hopefully you'll play! Hold the triangle on the opposite side of wherever the string is tied and move it up and down to make the ball toss into the air. This is just like a ball and cup toy except the goal is to get the ball into the middle of the triangle.
*Try it against your friends! See who completely wraps their string around the triangle first or set a timer to see who gets it in the most times in a minute. You can tell how many times by counting the string wraps that form on the side of the triangle.
Have fun!
Hopefully you'll play! Hold the triangle on the opposite side of wherever the string is tied and move it up and down to make the ball toss into the air. This is just like a ball and cup toy except the goal is to get the ball into the middle of the triangle.
*Try it against your friends! See who completely wraps their string around the triangle first or set a timer to see who gets it in the most times in a minute. You can tell how many times by counting the string wraps that form on the side of the triangle.
Have fun!