Bowling Bingo

Bowling is not always a great thing to do as an aerobic activity. But who says that it has to stay that way. I picked this one up at a conference too many years ago. It has withstood the test of time with flying colors.

Traditionally, bowling alleys are set up with 10 pins. One student goes at a time. It is a great social, lifetime type of activity, but not very aerobic. In your classes, it doesn't have to be limited to this set-up!

Begin by setting up your gym this way. Divide your floor in half by a center line. Place 10 hula hoops, or poly spots at each end of the gym (the spots may work better, because the hoops may cause a rolled ball to go off course).

Put 6 pins in 6 hoops/spots on each side, leaving 4 places empty. Divide your class into two groups and send them to each side. Give each player a soft ball (gator balls work great!). On your "go," both teams begin to roll their balls to try to knock over pins from the other side. If anyone knocks a pin down on the opposite side, they cross over and pick up the pin they hit. They then bring it to their team's side and place it on an empty hoop/spot. The game ends when one team gets all of their hoops/spots filled and yells "BINGO!".

If players want to guard their pins, let them. That lets you introduce angles to your classes. Show them how they can roll a shot that bounces off a wall to get behind someone that is guarding a pin.