Cooperative Blanket Volleyball Game

Two bedsheets or large blankets (one per team)

A soft ball or balloon (balloons are easier to start with)

An open space — backyard, park, gym, or large living room

Split into two teams of at least two players each. Three or four per team is ideal. Give each team a bedsheet or large blanket.

Everyone grabs the edges of their blanket and stretches it taut. The blanket needs to be flat and level — sagging in the middle means the ball rolls off.

Place a soft ball or balloon in the center of one team's blanket. This team serves first.

To serve, the team pulls the blanket slightly downward together, then snaps it upward in one quick, coordinated motion. The ball launches into the air toward the other team. This requires communication — someone counts "one, two, three, launch!"

The receiving team shuffles together to position their blanket under the incoming ball. They catch it by letting the blanket absorb the landing, then launch it back.

Keep vollying back and forth. Count every successful catch out loud together. The shared counting builds excitement.

When the ball hits the ground, the rally is over. Announce the number and start a new round trying to beat it.

Celebrate the group record. The magic of this game is that both teams win or lose together — there is no opposing score.

Start with a balloon. Balloons float slowly, giving kids more time to coordinate. Upgrade to a soft ball once teamwork clicks.

The key skill is communication, not athleticism. Teams that talk — "move left! pull tighter!" — outperform silent teams.

For ages 5-6, an adult on each team helps keep the blanket taut and models coordination.

Switch teams every few rounds so everyone practices with different partners.