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Beanbag Toss Target

Set a target on the floor - a bowl, a drawn circle, or a container - and take turns tossing a beanbag, rolled socks, or a small soft ball at it from increasing distances.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Beanbag Toss Target.
  • Age2 to 7 years
  • Time5 to 15 minutes
  • EnergyModerate
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors or out
  • Prep5 min

Place a target on the floor: a bowl, a drawn circle on paper, or a container: and take turns trying to land a beanbag or soft object in it from increasing distances. Competitive, cooperative, or solo.

How to do it

  1. Set a target on the floor: a bowl, pot, or laundry basket works well. Alternatively, place a piece of paper with a circle drawn on it.
  2. Start 3-4 feet from the target. Give your child 3 beanbags, rolled pairs of socks, or small soft objects.
  3. Take turns tossing toward the target. Celebrate every hit; count hits together.
  4. After a few rounds, move back one step. If it becomes too hard, move closer again.
  5. Try variations: underhand only, toss and catch with the other hand, or place multiple targets at different distances.
  6. Agree on a round count before you start: "We're playing 5 rounds, then we're done." Count down aloud ("Round 4... Round 5: last one!") so the child knows exactly when it ends. This prevents disputes at stopping time.

What you need

  • Beanbag
  • Bowl
  • Play space

Signs it is working

Your child aims rather than just throwing randomly: they adjust position, angle, or strength based on where the previous toss landed. Your child wants to move back when they master the current distance

If it is not quite clicking

Child can't hit the target from the starting distance and gets frustrated: Move them close enough that hitting is easy and fun: landing something is more motivating than the distance challenge at first. Child wants to throw harder rather than more accurately: Redirect gently toward slower and more deliberate throws; a slower toss into a bowl is far more satisfying. Rolled socks unroll in flight: Use a rubber band to keep them together.

Make it yours

Younger, 2-3 years: Use a large target (laundry basket) and stand very close (2 feet). Multiple targets in a row means they can always land something. Older, 5-7 years: Use a small bowl as the target, add points scoring (inside bowl = 3 points, on the paper = 1 point), or challenge alternating hands. Siblings: Take turns or play cooperatively: count total hits across both players per round.

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