Curling Skill Theme Activities for Kids

Curling is a group sport played on ice that requires excellent physical conditioning and technique. Incorporating curling-themed fitness activities into a physical education curriculum can provide exposure to emerging sports while enhancing athletic ability. Access to a properly marked ice rink and regulation curling stones are not necessary for activities.

  1. Balance

    • Developing exceptional balance is critical to an accurate delivery of the rocks used in curling. If a member of a curling team is struggling to remain upright on the ice, they are likely to inadvertently disrupt the rock's speed or direction. Just as competitive curlers focus on improving balance outside of the sport, children can increase their skills through a variety of fitness activities. Leading an introductory level session of yoga can teach children a number of postures to enhance balance.

    Muscle Strength

    • Exceptional conditioning and control of muscle tissue is a major component of curling finesse. Students may be surprised by the degree of muscle strength required children in a basic conditioning workout that incorporates many of the postures seen in a curling competition. Incorporate lengthy single-leg balances and squats, poses which members of a team may be required to hold at length while competing. Include pushups and situps to improve upper body and core strength.

    Hand-Eye Coordination

    • In addition to exceptional anaerobic fitness and balance, competitive curlers must possess sharp hand-eye coordination. Lead students in a partnered, curling-inspired fitness activity that does not require an ice rink. Cover the bristles of brooms entirely in duct tape, completing one broom for each participating student. Provide each team with a tennis ball and lead students in hitting the ball back and forth. Instruct participants to increase and decrease the distance between partners, strengthening control and hand-eye coordination.

    Communication

    • Effective communication among the four members of a team is critical to success, since the rules of curling prevent coaches from providing feedback during competition. Members of the team rely on verbal and nonverbal cues to achieve success. Teach aerobic activities that require the extensive nonverbal communication critical to curling. Lead students in a game of ultimate Frisbee in which speaking is forbidden and they must rely entirely on nonverbal cues. Divide children into teams for a relay race, blindfolding one student to teach the value of verbal communication.