Name and Purpose
- Earthball is a cooperative challenge built around goal-setting and collective effort.
- Players practise communication, spatial awareness, and supporting each other toward a shared target.
a.k.a.
- Keep It Up, Sky Ball, Balloon Bounce
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Any open space indoors or outdoors (gym, field, large cabin)
Materials
- 1 beach ball or large balloon (have a spare ready)
- Optional: soft foam ball for a more controlled version
- No other equipment needed
Quick-Run Card
- Gather the group in a loose cluster or circle.
- Together, set a goal: how many hits before it touches the ground?
- Keep the ball in the air. No one can hit it twice in a row.
- Count out loud together. When the goal is reached, cheer and set a new one.
- If the group struggles, call a quick strategy huddle and try again.
Setup and Boundaries
- Clear the space of trip hazards (chairs, bags, cones)
- Signal: 1 short whistle or raised hand = pause; 2 = stop and gather
- For outdoor play, check for uneven ground or wet patches
- Optional: mark a loose boundary with cones if the group tends to spread
How to Play
- The group stands in a loose cluster or circle.
- One person taps the ball into the air to start.
- Any player can hit the ball to keep it up, but no one can hit it twice in a row.
- The whole group counts each hit aloud.
- If the ball touches the ground, the group checks their count against the goal and decides: try again, adjust strategy, or raise the target.
- After meeting a goal, the group sets a new, higher target. Continue until time is called.
I-OPt Options
- A (Active): Hit the ball, call out positions, take charge of directing traffic
- S (Support): Watch for gaps, call out who is free, encourage the group’s count
- Q (Quiet): Stand in one spot and tap the ball when it comes close; focus on your one contribution
- O (Observer): Watch the pattern, count hits, join when ready
Inclusion Adaptations
- Players who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility can choose a fixed zone and the group routes the ball toward them
- A lightweight balloon moves slower than a beach ball, giving players more time to react
- Players with visual sensitivities can use a brightly coloured or high-contrast ball
Stewardship Moment
- After play, store the ball carefully rather than overinflating or leaving it in direct sun, extending its life
- Reflection: “What does it mean to take care of shared equipment?”
Consent
- Pre-brief: “This game involves moving around and tapping a ball. If you would prefer to stand in one spot and wait for the ball to come to you, that works perfectly too.”
- For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
- Mid-game check: After one round, ask the group to show thumbs up, sideways, or down. “How is the challenge feeling? Too easy, just right, or need a change?”
- Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the edge of the group at any time. Raise a hand and step back in whenever ready.
Risks and Mitigation
- Collision when players chase the ball: remind everyone to call “mine!” before moving
- Ball drifting into unsafe areas (road, water, fence): set clear boundaries before starting
- Overexcitement leading to pushing: pause and reset with a calm strategy huddle
Warm-Up Suggestions
- “Thumb Tap”: stand in a circle, pass a thumbs-up gesture around as fast as possible
- “Name Toss”: toss an imaginary ball and say the receiver’s name before tossing
Debrief Questions
- What? “What did you do when the ball was coming toward you? What did you do when it wasn’t?”
- So What? “What helped the group reach the goal? What got in the way?”
- Now What? “Where else do you work toward a goal as a group? What makes that easier or harder?”
Cleanup and Reset
- Deflate or store the ball
- Do a quick sweep of the space for any debris
- Return any borrowed equipment
