Fun Basketball Activities for Kids

A true basketball game requires a full court, referees and several players on each team but there are many basketball related actives that only require a ball, a single hoop and as few as two players. Basketball games like "Pig," "21" and "Around the World," can help children build basketball skills and are ideal as pickup games since they require little equipment and organization.

  1. Pig

    • Pig is a basketball activity that focuses on shooting the ball from different parts of the court. To play pig, one player shoots the ball from any part of the court, and if that player makes the shot, the next player in the turn order must attempt the same shot. If the second player misses the shot, they are assigned the first letter of the word "Pig." So the second player would be said to have a "P." If the second player makes the shot, the third player must attempt the shot and so on. If any player misses a shot, the next person in the turn order may take the next shot from any spot on the floor. After each missed shot that another player previously made, a new letter is assigned to spell out the word "Pig." For instance, if the second player misses two shots that the player before him made, he would be said to have "Pi." Once a player misses three total shots that other players have made, he has all three letters of "Pig" and is eliminated from the game. The word "Horse" can be used in place of "Pig" to extend the length of the game.

    21

    • 21 is a group basketball activity that focuses on free throw shooting, rebounding and defense. To play 21, one player lines up at the free throw line and all other players stand under the basket. The player at the free throw line shoots a free throw. He continues shooting free throws until he misses one or makes three in a row and gets 1 point for every free throw made. If he makes three shots in a row, he must begin dribbling the ball at the half court line an attempt to score while the other players defend. If the shooter misses a free throw, the other players can rebound the ball and shoot it themselves from any position on the court while the others play defense. Any player that makes a field goal is awarded 2 points and then lines up at the free throw line and becomes the new shooter. The first player with 21 points or more wins.

    Around the World

    • "Around the World" is a speed-shooting game. To play "Around the World," set cones up on different spots of the court, such as the free throw line, and different spots along the three-point line. Give the first player a ball, have him line up at one of the cones and start a stop watch. He must make one shot from each cone on the court as quickly as possible. If he misses he must retrieve the ball and attempt the shot again until he makes it to move on to the next cone. Compare the times of each player to determine the winner.