Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Beanbag Throw Scoreboard: Free Printable Chart for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Beanbag Throw Scoreboard is a free printable PE chart for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children throw five beanbags in each round and make one tally mark for every beanbag that lands in the hoop. They then write the score, find their highest and lowest rounds and add up a total. It needs only a hoop, beanbags and a pencil.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. It has notes, help, a stretch idea and answers. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children throw five beanbags at a hoop in each round. After each round they make one tally mark for every beanbag that lands in the hoop, then write the score. The table has columns for the round, where they threw from, the tally and the score. Children then answer questions about their highest and lowest rounds and add up their scores to find a total. A short checklist reminds them to throw underarm, stay behind the line and cheer for a friend.
- Round
- Throw from
- Tally
- Score
- Which round had your highest score?
- Which round had your lowest score?
- Add up all four scores. My total is
- I threw underarm.
- I stayed behind the line.
- I cheered for my friend.
Set up your throwing area
Choose a target
Lay a hoop flat on the floor or use a bucket. A hoop is easier for a first go because a beanbag that lands inside it counts clearly.
Mark the lines
Use masking tape, a rope or a skipping rope to make a close line. Add a second line further back if you want a harder throw. Children write which line they used in the Throw from column.
Gather the beanbags
Each round uses five beanbags. If you have no beanbags, roll up pairs of socks into balls. Soft items that do not bounce much work best.
Pick partner jobs
One child throws and the other makes the tally marks. Swap after each round so both have a turn at throwing and recording.
Why throw and tally together?
Throwing underarm is one of the first throwing skills children learn. The child swings the throwing arm back low, then forward, and lets go as the arm swings through. Stepping forward with the foot on the opposite side to the throwing arm helps. Aiming at a hoop gives the throw a clear purpose. It helps children see how a gentle swing changes where a beanbag lands.
Tally marks are a quick way to count and record as you go. Each mark stands for one, and every fifth mark is drawn across the four before it to make a bundle of five. Children can then count in fives and ones. Recording their own throws means the numbers on the page come from something they did, which makes counting and adding feel real.
Clear the space before you start. Keep other children and pets away from the target. Throw only when the person recording is standing to the side, not near the hoop. Use soft beanbags or rolled socks, never hard objects.
Skills and curriculum link
- Underarm throwing
- Aiming at a target
- Tally marks
- Counting scores
- Comparing amounts
- Taking turns
Ideas to help children get the most from it
- Swing and releaseShow a slow swing back and forward with the throwing arm before any beanbags are thrown. Ask the child to let go at the front of the swing.
- Tally in bundlesRemind children that the fifth tally mark goes across the first four. Counting a bundle as five makes totals quicker to find.
- Fair turnsAgree who throws first and swap after each round. Partners can say each result out loud as the other makes the mark.
- Look back at the chartWhen all rounds are done, point to the Score column and ask which number looks biggest and which looks smallest.
Key words
- RoundOne go at the game. In each round you throw all your beanbags.
- TallyA small line you draw to count one. Every fifth line goes across the other four.
- ScoreThe number of points you get. Here, it is how many beanbags landed in the hoop.
- UnderarmA throw where your arm swings low from behind you to the front.
- TargetThe thing you aim at. Here, the target is the hoop or bucket.
- TotalWhat you get when you add all the scores together.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Set up the hoop or bucket and the lines. Collect five beanbags or rolled socks.
- Throw five beanbags. Look at where each one lands. Make one tally mark for each beanbag in the hoop, then write the score for the round.
- Swap jobs with your partner and repeat for each round. Then answer the questions at the bottom and tick the checklist.
- Check with page 2 and talk about the throws. Come back another day to try for a different score.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only the close line so more beanbags land in the hoop. Count the tally marks together out loud, pointing to each one. Let your child take their time with each round. Ask a grown up to throw the first beanbag as a model.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to say a guess for their score before each round. After the round, compare the guess with the real score. Which was closer? Then move to the further line and see what happens to the guesses.
Make it a game
Play as teams. Each team takes turns to throw and tally. When all rounds are done, each team adds up its scores and cheers its total. Remember to cheer for the other team too.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child makes a tally mark for every throw, including the ones that miss.
Try thisAsk after each beanbag, "Is it in the hoop?" Only beanbags in the hoop get a tally mark.
Watch forA child throws overarm instead of underarm.
Try thisShow a low swing, like rolling a ball with a swinging arm. Practise the swing without a beanbag first, then throw.
Watch forA child steps over the line while throwing.
Try thisPut a shoe or a cone on the line as a reminder. Say, "Toes behind the line," before each throw.
Talk about it
- Which line did you throw from, and why did you choose it?
- What helped the beanbag land in the hoop?
- How do you know how many tally marks to draw?
- Did you throw the same way every time? What did you change?
- How did it feel when your friend threw well? What did you say?
- What would you do differently if you played again?
Take it off the page
Sock ball toss
Roll up pairs of socks and toss them into a laundry basket from across the room. Tally each one that lands inside.
Chalk target
Draw a big circle on the ground outside with chalk. Throw beanbags or soft balls at it from behind a line and count how many stay inside.
Tally treasure hunt
Look around the house or garden for things in sets, such as shoes or flowers. Make a tally mark for each one you find.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first round, then let them take over. Keep the space clear and praise the way they throw and cheer, not only the score. Page 2 has the answers and notes.
Teachers
Use it as a PE starter, a station activity or a plenary. Pairs can take turns to throw and record, which gives you a chance to watch underarm technique. It also links well to counting in maths.
Home educators
Pair it with outdoor play. Mark the lines in the garden or use a hall indoors. The sheet is free, so you can print it again for brothers and sisters, or to see how scores change another day.
Where this skill fits
Before this sheet, children explore basic movements such as running, rolling, jumping and throwing. They also count objects and make simple marks to show a number. This chart brings those together in one short game.
After this, children can try throwing and catching with a partner, aim at targets from different distances and join simple team games. In maths, they can record counts in simple tables and add small numbers with growing confidence.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Beanbag Throw Scoreboard for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Children who are a little younger or older can also join in. Adjust the line distance to suit them.
- What do we need to play?
You need a hoop or bucket, five beanbags or rolled socks, a pencil and the printed chart. Masking tape or a rope helps to mark the lines. Black and white printing is fine.
- Can we play indoors?
Yes. Use a hall, a large room or a cleared space with soft beanbags or rolled socks. Make sure no one is standing near the target. Outdoors on dry grass or a playground works well too.
- Do children need a partner?
It works best with a partner. One child throws and the other makes the tally marks, then they swap. A grown up can be the partner if a child is playing alone.
- What if we do not have beanbags?
Roll up pairs of socks into soft balls. Any soft item that does not bounce much will do. Avoid anything hard, heavy or breakable.
- What is on page 2?
Page 2 is for the grown up. It has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea and answers. Page 1 is the part for children.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a second go another day.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.