BusyBeesGames with socks for kids
Seven BusyBees games use socks. In Basket Toss, Cup Bowling Alley, Garden Games Day and Sock Juggling they are rolled into soft balls. In Sock Pairs they are the puzzle. In Teddy Clinic they are bandages, and in the Paper Bridge Challenge a rolled pair is the weight the bridge has to hold.
- 7 games
- Starting ages 2 to 8
- 10 to 25 minutes each
- 3 written out in full
Pick one for right now
| Game | From age | Minutes | You need |
|---|---|---|---|
 Basket Toss | 2 | 10 | A washing basket, 5 or 6 pairs of thick socks |
 Cup Bowling Alley | 2 | 15 | 6 to 10 paper cups, A pair of socks, Cardboard for the scoreboard |
 Sock Pairs | 3 | 10 | A pile of clean socks |
 Teddy Clinic | 3 | 15 | Soft toys, Flannels or clean socks for bandages, Paper and a crayon |
 Garden Games Day | 5 | 20 | A lawn, 3 pairs of rolled-up socks, A washing basket, Paper and a crayon |
 Paper Bridge Challenge | 7 | 25 | Paper, Tape, Two low piles of books, A rolled pair of socks |
 Sock Juggling | 8 | 20 | 3 pairs of socks, rolled into balls |
The 7 games
Game 1 of 7
Basket Toss
Roll socks into soft balls and throw them into a washing basket. Move the basket back as the throws get better.
- From age 2
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- A washing basket
- 5 or 6 pairs of thick socks
Keep an eye on
Throw only the sock balls, only at the basket, and keep everyone behind the thrower.
With you
Play together the whole time. Step 1 is a grown-up's job.
Game 2 of 7
Cup Bowling Alley
Stack cups into a pyramid, roll a sock ball, keep score on the cardboard.
- From age 2
- 15 min
- Active
You need
- 6 to 10 paper cups
- A pair of socks
- Cardboard for the scoreboard
Keep an eye on
Roll, do not throw, and keep the lane clear of feet.
With you
Play together the whole time.
The steps for Cup Bowling Alley, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 3 of 7
Sock Pairs
Tip out the clean socks and hunt for the pairs. A real job that feels like a game, and it works at the table while you cook or tidy nearby.
- From age 3
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Thinking
- No prep
You need
- A pile of clean socks
Keep an eye on
Play sitting down at the table or on the carpet, so nobody slides about on a smooth floor in socks.
With you
Stay in the room while they play.
Game 4 of 7
Teddy Clinic
The soft toys are feeling poorly and your child is the vet. A quiet game that can run beside you while you cook or get on with something.
- From age 3
- 15 min
- Indoors
- Pretend
- No prep
You need
- Soft toys
- Flannels or clean socks for bandages
- Paper and a crayon
Keep an eye on
Bandages are flannels or socks, tucked in and not tied, and only for the toys: on a paw or a tummy, never round a neck.
With you
Stay in the room while they play.
The steps for Teddy Clinic, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 5 of 7
Garden Games Day
Three small events on the grass: a standing jump, a sock-ball throw and a hopping race. Everyone tries to beat their own best.
- From age 5
- 20 min
- Outdoors
- Active
- 5 min prep
You need
- A lawn
- 3 pairs of rolled-up socks
- A washing basket
- Paper and a crayon
Keep an eye on
Use flat grass with no holes, well away from roads, water and drops, and keep everyone behind the thrower.
With you
Play together the whole time. Step 1 is a grown-up's job.
The steps for Garden Games Day, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 6 of 7
Paper Bridge Challenge
Can a bridge made of paper hold a pair of socks? Build it, test it and make it stronger.
- From age 7
- 25 min
- Indoors
- Thinking
- No prep
You need
- Paper
- Tape
- Two low piles of books
- A rolled pair of socks
Keep an eye on
Build on the floor and keep the piles of books low, so nothing heavy can fall on toes.
With you
They can play alone for a few minutes.
Game 7 of 7
Sock Juggling
Learn to juggle with rolled-up socks. They are soft, they do not roll away, and getting to three takes real practice.
- From age 8
- 20 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- 3 pairs of socks, rolled into balls
Keep an eye on
Juggle in a clear space with room above your head, away from lamps, shelves and the stairs.
With you
They can play alone for a few minutes.
The steps for Sock Juggling, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Questions parents ask
How do you make a sock ball?
Basket Toss says it in step one: a grown-up rolls each pair of socks into a ball bigger than a fist. It asks for five or six pairs of thick socks.
Which sock games work indoors?
Basket Toss, Sock Pairs, Teddy Clinic, the Paper Bridge Challenge and Sock Juggling are all tagged Indoors in the app. Cup Bowling Alley is set up "at one end of the hallway". Garden Games Day is for a lawn.
Which suit a 2 year old, and which an 8 year old?
From age 2: Basket Toss and Cup Bowling Alley, both played together with you. From age 3: Sock Pairs and Teddy Clinic. From age 5: Garden Games Day. From age 7: the Paper Bridge Challenge. From age 8: Sock Juggling.
What this guide does not do
Basket Toss, Cup Bowling Alley and Garden Games Day are marked "Play together the whole time". Sock Pairs asks for clean socks and is played sitting down, so nobody slides about on a smooth floor in socks.
A grown-up is always responsible for safety and supervises play. The age on each game is where it starts in the app, and a game marked for age 3 is never offered for a 2 year old.