Beach Ball Two Square

[20 Minutes]

This game can be played at the beach or on a playground. The object of the game is to be the first to score 21 points.

You'll need:

• beach ball

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through before you begin.
2. Draw two adjacent squares in the sand that are approximately four feet by four feet.
3. Each player stands outside her square as if she was standing at a ping-pong table waiting for a serve.
4. Each player can move inside the square at any time to hit the ball.
5. Hands are used instead of paddles to hit the ball into the other player’s square. One bounce is allowed on each side.

How to play:

1. Player 1 begins the game by serving the ball into player 2’s square.
2. Player 2 volleys the ball back to player 1 and the play continues back and forth until one of two mistakes are made, failing to return the ball or hitting it out bounds.
3. If the player with the serve makes the error, the serve goes to the other player. If the player who received the ball makes an error, the player who served it gains a point. The server can only earn points.
4. The winner of each point always gets the next serve.
5. The first player to reach 21 points is the winner, but the game must be won by 2 points.

Useful information:

My mom and I play this game in the driveway and at the beach. Playing it at the beach is a real challenge. The ball bounces very differently. So far, this summer, my mom and are tied for games. (Danny, age 13)