Each team works to melt (knock down) the other team’s snowmen (bowling pins) by rolling tennis balls across the game area.
Equipment
- Bowling Pins
- Cones
- Tennis Balls
Setup
Set up 3-5 bowling pins at each end of the game area. You can use 2-3 bowling pins for smaller groups. Line up the tennis balls (2-3 dozen) across the middle of the game area.
Set up cones in front of each pin to the sides to create a lane area where kids are not allowed to enter.
Split the game area in half using cones. Each team plays on one have of the game area. If you have a large group, then split the game area down the full length of the game area. This extends the length of the game area to spread out the teams.
How to play Melting Snowmen
The melting snowmen game is played by two teams. Each team plays on one side of the game area. Each team lines up at their end of the game area. When the game starts each team runs towards the middle to get a tennis ball.
They then try to knock down the pins on the other side of the game area by rolling the tennis ball. It is important that they roll the ball underhanded as this keeps down injuries from overhand throws.
Teams can play defense by blocking the tennis balls as they are rolled towards the bowling pins. They must stay out of the lane area created by the cones in front of the bowling pins. They also should stay on their feet as some kids may try to lay down in front of the bowling pins which will guarantee injury.
The first team to knock down all of the bowling pins in the other team’s area is given a point. A new round is played by resetting the game area with the bowling pins and the tennis balls with each team lining up again. The team with the most time at the end of the time frame is the winner.
Variations
An alternate way to score is to count the total number of downed pins at the end of each round.
For younger kids, you may find that using larger balls such as dodge balls will make it easier for them to knock down the bowling pins.