No.192
Otedama: Beanbag Juggling
Japanese name: お手玉
Materials
- 1–2 beanbags with secure seams per person
How to play
- Check beanbags for tears. Sit far enough apart that arms will not collide. Begin with one beanbag each.
- Toss gently from one hand to below face height and catch with both hands. Then practise passing right to left and left to right.
- Once comfortable, clap once while the beanbag is in the air and catch it with both hands. After a drop, wait until nearby play has stopped before retrieving it and restarting.
- Try each challenge five times and count your successes. If comparing results, compare with your own previous record.
- Primary school children can use two beanbags: toss one from the right hand, transfer the left-hand bag to the right, then catch the airborne bag in the left hand. After about five minutes, share a skill to finish.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: two-handed catches. Younger primary school children: add one clap. Older primary school children: exchange two beanbags.