Bubbly Ball Bowling – Indoor Activity for Kids

I’m trying to decide is Bubbly Ball Bowling cute name for this activity or complete tongue twister! Either way, kids had fun playing this simple and easy to prepare gross motor game!

With snow outside and the wind blowing hard, we are stuck inside and kids are getting restless. This is why I decided to combine sensory with gross motor play for our day of playing with bubble wrap.

Supplies for Bubbly Ball Bowling

We used for today’s activity everything from recycle bin:

• bubble wrap,
• plastic bottles,
• plastic yogurt cups,
• ribbon and
• clear tape

We had all of the supplies on hand. You will need a longer stip of ribbon, enough to hang the ball.

How to Prepare for Indoor Play with Bubble Wrap Ball

To form a ball I have followed these steps:

1. Cut bubble wrap in strips.
2. Wrap it in circles, like you would wrap the ball of yarn.
3. Secure the end with clear tape to remain in ball shape.
4. Tie the ribbon on top of the ball.
5. Secure other end of the ribbon on top of door frame using a nail.

After the ball is formed and set, place plastic bottles (plastic cups) on the floor and use them as bowling pins.

How to Play Bubbly Ball Bowling

I decided to use this way of bowling because we don’t usually do it like this. We do a conventional bowling and this was a new way of playing and more fun for kids.

First we tried to knock down plastic bottles with our bubbly ball but the ball was too light and couldn’t get the job done!

Then we took several yogurt cups because they were much lighter. My toddler enjoyed to build towers using yogurt cups and then knocking it down with a ball! This was much more fun! She did many different combinations of stacking and knocking!

Another thing she loved doing with this bubbly ball was knocking it with her leg and letting it fly around and coming back to her. It was so light and I really didn’t have to worry it will knock down anything around or break something!

After 2 days of playing with yucky stuff like jelly and slime, this was totally changed in the direction of sensory play. Nevertheless, girls enjoyed it and surely boys would too! After all, it includes building and knocking things down!

Extend the play with the book

There are very few children’s books about bowling so we would like to suggest everyone’s favorite Curious George! Let’s join him for a bowling game and see what he has been up to! Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom

What to Read and Do Next?

• learn How Sensory Play Benefits Motor Development
• we found 7 Ways to Play with A Blanket
• super simple setup with Magnet and Yogurt Cups Play
• make and play with X-Ray Playdough