52 Weeks: #8 Bread Crumb Ball Shooter

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52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #8 Bread Crumb Shooter

In most parks, usually you will run across birds, squirrels, ducks, geese, etc. and most of these creatures will always be willing to clean up the ground, so why not feed them while having a little fun?

Who can shoot the bread balls the farthest?  Our original inspiration came from The Come Together Kids blog, where Laura uses marsh mellows and Pom Poms, but since our games focus on activities your child(ren) can do in the stroller, we needed to be Eco-friendly.

Target Age Group: 2-5 years old

How to Play:

Make it game.  Who can shoot the bread crumbs the farthest? Give your child or children their own Bread Crumb Ball Shooter and a baggy with their bread balls in it.

Rule #1:  No shooting at your siblings or others faces. If so, the shooter is taken away and no fun should be had.

Rule #2: No shooting at other people or other runners on the path. If so, the shooter is taken away and no fun should be had.

Have them aim at the trees or have them launch their bread at the ducks. Your children will be imaginative and find ways to amuse themselves with the shooters.

Plus, having the bread on hand is a good little snack for your little ones too.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes minimum.

I cannot predict the maximum preparation time because if your kids are interrupting you, it could take many hours or days to complete.

Materials:

• Plastic cups (ours were 16 oz)
• Balloons ( ours were 12″)
• Slices of Bread or Croutons
• Painters or Packing Tape
• Scissors

 

Bread Crumb Ball Shooter Instructions:

1. Cut the bottom part off of your plastic cup.  I found it worked best to double up the cups and I cut off the bottom third.

2. Put painters and or/ packing tape around the edges of the bottom third of the cup you cut. This will help your little ones from cutting their hands or fingers on the ridged edges. I used packing tape because that was available.

3.  Tie a knot at the end of your balloon and cut off about 1/4″ from the other end.  Some instructions say a 1/2″, but I found based on the size of cup you use determines how much balloon you cut off.

4.  Now stretch the balloon over the end of the cup.  I found it worked best to put the balloon on the top part of the cup where the lip is; otherwise the cup would bend too much when I put the balloon on.  As you can tell, I put packing tape everywhere; it was easier this way – at least that is what my four year old wanted. Who am I to fight about tape or no tape?

5.  Break your slices of bread up into little pieces; enough where you can roll them in a ball.  Some others suggest using marsh mellows, which  might be great if your shooters are being used at the home. However, when on the stroller ride I would use bread or croutons.

6.  Roll your bread into balls.

Viola!  Now it’s time to do some launching!  Put the rolled up bread crumbs balls inside the cup on the knotted center, then aim the cup away from you out the stroller, pull back on the outer knot and launch away!  Do not shoot upwards like shown in the picture. My son was fascinated and curious about how it worked.

Disclaimer:  Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries.

For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below.

• Introduction to 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games
• Week 1: Red Light Green Light
• Week 2: I Spy
• Week 3: Find the Cars
• Week 4: Scavenger Hunt
• Week 5: Puzzle Love
• Week 6: Winter Olympics Coloring Book
• Week 7:  Letters, Letters Everywhere