TinyStepper
Toddler crouching in a hallway rolling a ball toward plastic bottles set up like bowling pins

Plastic Bottle Bowling

A homemade bowling game for kids — set up plastic bottles as skittles and roll a ball to knock them down.

Activity details

18m–4y10 minsmediumbothBallsPlastic Bottles

Instructions

Get ready
  • Collect 6-10 empty plastic bottles — fill with a little water or sand if they tip too easily
  • Arrange them in a triangle formation at the end of a hallway or clear room
  1. Collect 6-10 empty plastic bottles — fill with a little water or sand if they tip too easily
  2. Arrange them in a triangle formation at the end of a hallway or clear room
  3. Mark a rolling line with masking tape a few metres back
  4. Give your toddler a soft ball and demonstrate an underarm roll towards the bottles
  5. Count the bottles knocked down together: 'You got three! Well done!'
  6. Let your toddler set the bottles back up — part of the fun and great for fine motor
  7. Move the rolling line further back as their aim improves

Parent tip

Set out balls and plastic bottles before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Child smiling on a cushion after active play with a ball and scattered cushions nearby

What success looks like

Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.

Line up empty plastic bottles like bowling pins at one end of the hallway, grab a soft ball, and let your toddler roll, throw, or kick it to send them flying. The satisfying crash of toppling bottles keeps toddlers coming back for round after round, burning energy while practising aim and coordination.

Why it helps

NHS Best Start in Life recommends practising throwing, catching and kicking a ball as simple activities that teach coordination, balance and agility. Rolling, throwing, and aiming develop hand-eye coordination and upper-body strength, while counting knocked-down bottles introduces early numeracy in a meaningful context. Setting the bottles back up after each round builds sequencing skills and task persistence — toddlers learn that the fun comes from completing the full cycle, not just the crash.

Variations

  • Fill bottles with a splash of water and food colouring for a visually satisfying crash.
  • Use different-sized balls — a tennis ball, a football, a marble — and compare which works best.
  • Award points for each bottle and keep a running score across rounds.

Safety tips

  • Use plastic bottles only — never glass — and ensure caps are screwed on tightly.
  • Choose a soft, lightweight ball to prevent injury from missed throws.
  • Keep the bowling lane clear of breakable objects and other children during throws.

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