School is out, or is going to be out soon. Start the summer off with the good habit of playing outside! Avoid the TV and video game routine by sending the kids outside to play ASAP this summer. The next few days we are going to post some great ideas for sparking new interest in playing outside.
Today is 4-Square Day!
Start off by creating a great 4-Square court. The “official” court is 16′x16′ divided into four 8′x8′ sqaures. But, work with what you have, any 4 equal squares will work. You can have your kids draw out the court with chalk on the driveway. For a Full Summer of fun you can spray paint the court on the driveway. Parents you can bust out the measuring tape and laser level and really make the court precise. Remember, even if you’re being precise have the kids help. This is a wonderful teachable moment for math skills!
The best ball to play with is the classic rubber ball we all had a recess. But other balls can work if they bounce well.
The basic rules: The Server in the 4th square serves the ball by boucing it the hitting it to any other square. The next player hits the ball to any of the 3 squares after the 1st bounce and before it bounces again. Only one bounce per square. This goes on until the ball hits the line (hitter’s error), the ball goes out of bounds (hitters error), bounces more than once inside a square (the receiveer’s error), or the hitter hits incorrectly (holding,carrying, kicking, etc).
Whoever has the error leaves their square and goes down to square 1, moving everyone else up to fill in the squares. If there are more than 4 players there can be a line of waiters at Square 1, and the out player goes to the end of the waiting line and the first person in line comes into the game in Square 1.
After the basic games and rules are familier, it’s time to break out the crazy, fun rules! Try these rules, or make up your own. The 4th Square Server invokes the rules for their reign in the 4th Square.
- Double Taps - a player may hit the ball twice in the air after is has bounced. It’s like setting yourself up for a spike!
- Body Language – Allows the players to hit the ball with any part of their body, including feet. Good for the soccer players.
- Black Jack – If a player catches the ball cleanly before it lands in his/her square, the player who hit the ball is out. (Like cathing the ball in dodge ball.) This forces the game to be played low and fast.
- Mailman – The player with the ball can call “Mailman,” and everone must run clockwise around the court while the person with the ball tries to tag someone. If the players make it back to their squares they are safe. If a player is tagged, they are out.
- Bus Stop – The player with the ball can call “Bus Stop,” and all the players must run to the middle of the court where all 4 lines intersect. The last one to place their foot on the X is out.
Make up your own rules! That’s the best part about 4-Square!
Here are a few sites for more information about rules and ideas for fun add-ons. foursquare.org, and theykid.com.
