This week for Discover & Explore the theme is Build It! We are inviting you to share your favorite building, construction and engineering activities for kids.
I thought it would be fun to share one of our favorite demolition play activities, a DIY wrecking ball. It so simple, but so fun!
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The idea for this game came up while we were reading Demolition. The text is full of sound words and wonderful verbs that invite kids to join in the movement of the story. It also shows kids all sorts of machinery used for demolition. Mine were most amused by the wrecking ball, so we decided to make one of our own.
We used the leg of an old pair of tights that were too small, but a long song would work well, too. We put a ball inside, and ta-da! Wrecking ball! You can use any kind of ball you like. Ours was about 3 inches in diameter and it lights up on impact. This adds an extra bit of excitement to our play.
The girls love to build towers. Lovey is usually working to build “the tallest tower in the whole wide world.”
When she’s done it’s time for demolition and out comes the wrecking ball! Both of the girls count back from 10 and scream, “DEMO!!” And it’s just as fun no matter how many times they do it!
Beyond the sheer joy of that game, there’s also a lot to learn about force and motion with this activity. We’ve experimented with a variety of blocks, and Lovey and I have discussed how swinging the wrecking ball differently can make a difference. We’ve also used a variety of balls and made observations about how the blocks fall differently (or don’t fall at all) depending on the ball we use.
For more construction fun check out our construction site slime.
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Beth
Every time I see this image on pinterest it makes me smile! What FUN!
Beth =)
Shaunna
I know what you mean…reminds me of good old-fashioned play!
Ticia
A wrecking ball idea would so much fun. A birthday party we went to had a wiffle ball tied off of the balcony and you used it for bowling, that was a hit with all of the kids.
Shaunna
Oooh, I can see how wiffle ball bowling could be a lot of fun!
Sugar Aunts
My Little Guy would LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing this with us on Share It Saturday! We are featuring your post on Saturday.
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
Shaunna
Thanks so much for featuring this post! I hope your Little Guy gives it a try.
kristina
Love this activity!! 🙂 A friend emailed it to me today and said she thought my kids would like it. This is perfect for them. Pinning it now,
Shaunna
How fun is that? I love that your friend thought of you. Hope you guys have fun with it!
Mary Catherine
I absolutely adore the wrecking ball! I know Engineer will love adding this to all of the building he does. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, and thanks for hosting such a fun link up!
Shaunna
Yay! I hope he has fun. Thank you for participating in the link up often. I’m so glad you are enjoying it.
katepickle
Now this looks like loads of fun!!!
Shaunna
It was…mom tested! 😉
JDaniel4's Mom
JDaniel would totally get into this! What fun! I am going to pin this post.
Shaunna
I hope he does! Thanks for pinning.
Sarah
Oh my goodness, my kids would love this! Will be playing this game with them this afternoon! I also love how simple and quick it is to set up. Those are the best kinds of activities 🙂
Shaunna
I agree…quick and easy are always a plus! I hope your kids had fun!!
Katie @ Gift of Curiosity
Love your wrecking ball play! My son would go crazy over this!
Shaunna
Thank you! Hope he loves it!
Caroline
Oh, yes, my kids would think this is fantastic. And, you’re right, so many good physics/force/gravity discussions and observations can be made from this activity.
Shaunna
Thanks! Hope you test out the idea!
Stephanie
What an awesome activity! My kids would LOVE this! Especially my son, who loves to count down EVERYTHING he does right now. It’s funny, but exhausting 😉
Shaunna
How cute! I love the little habits kids pick up and test out over the years 🙂
Adrienne
Haha. It’s always fun building a tower to knock it down! Stopping by from the blog hop. 😉
Shaunna
I agree! Thanks for stopping by!
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest
Oh this will be a hit at our house for sure!!
Shaunna
I hope Peanut and his buddies have fun!
Jessica @ Play Trains!
This is such a great idea! We’ve played wrecking ball with some other buildings, and knocked Duplo blocks over, but never combined the two. The Little Engineer will LOVE this!
Shaunna
Thanks! I hope he has fun!!
Erica @What Do We Do All Day?
My boys would love this. Thanks for giving me something to set up for them after school today. 😉
Shaunna
Ooh, I hope they had fun! What a nice surprise to come home to after school! You’re an awesome Mom!