top of page

Indoor Bowling

In the classroom, toddlers often enjoy stacking blocks and rolling balls. Indoor bowling allows children the opportunity to enjoy both activities together!

First, fill the plastic bottles partially with water. Your toddler could assist with this over the sink or you could create a space to explore pouring the water into the bottles. Coloring the water is optional and could feel fun to watch the color expand in the water bottles. Not only would this allow for some color exploration, but when your toddler begins bowling, you would be able to name the colors that are knocked down. "Wow! You got the blue one! Would you like to try for the yellow one next?"

Once the water bottles are filled with the tops securely on, it is time to bowl! You and your toddler could arrange the "bowling pins" in different formations and begin to gently roll the ball trying to knock them over. Start with close proximity first to allow for lots of success before it gets challenging, this keeps the fun going. The pins could be difficult to knock over depending on the material of your ball and how much water is in each bottle. Adjust to make it as successful as possible!

We know that you may not have plastic water bottles in your home. Luckily the possibilities are endless for what you could use to recreate bowling pins! You could use whatever is easiest for your family or experiment with different materials. Some ideas include: toilet paper rolls, plastic cups, water bottles, recycled materials, etc.

Enjoy! And remember, no pressure - have fun with it and tap into what makes it fun for your family!

I wonder...

I wonder statements are a great way to introduce concepts to children, stimulate their curiosity while modeling the pleasure of learning, and embrace ideas in a fun and unpressured way!

    I wonder what color we should put in front?
    I wonder how many red bottles/pins there are?
    I wonder how many times you can roll your ball?
    I wonder what sound it will make?

Project Supplies

Emily plastic water bottles
Water
Food coloring or watercolor
Ball

Project Gallery

bottom of page