Funnel ball facts for kids

A modern funnel ball setup, often seen in playgrounds.

Funnel ball is a fun and popular game often found in playgrounds. It uses a large, cone-shaped funnel placed on top of a tall pole. Players throw a ball into the top of the funnel. The ball then bounces around inside before falling out through one of several holes at the bottom. It's a game of chance and skill that many kids enjoy!

What is Funnel Ball?

A funnel ball setup usually has a big funnel, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. This funnel is made from strong plastic or fiberglass. It sits on a sturdy post, often in the middle of a playground. At the bottom of the funnel, there are several holes or tubes. These holes are about 1 foot (30 centimeters) wide and stick out sideways. They are spaced evenly around the funnel's base.

Players typically use a basketball or a similar-sized ball for the game. The goal is to toss the ball into the wide opening at the top of the funnel.

How to Play Funnel Ball

Playing funnel ball is simple. You stand near the setup and throw your ball into the top of the large funnel. Once the ball is inside, it usually bounces and rolls around for a short time. This makes it hard to guess which hole it will come out of. The ball's path inside the funnel is often quite random.

It takes amazing aim to make the ball exit through a specific hole. This is because the target holes are partly hidden and the ball's movement inside is unpredictable.

Scoring and Winning

Each hole at the bottom of the funnel has a different point value. For example, you might see holes marked with 2, 4, 6, or 8 points. When your ball comes out of a hole, you get the points for that hole.

There isn't one set way to win at funnel ball. Some games are played to see who can get the highest score. Other times, players might try to get the lowest score. The game is flexible, so you can decide how you want to play!

Game Variations

Funnel ball can be played in different ways. You can play "every-player-for-themselves," where each person tries to get the best score on their own. It's also common to play in teams. Teams can work together to get a high score or try to achieve a specific goal. This makes funnel ball a great game for both individual fun and group play.

Images for kids

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  Modern-style plastic funnel ball setup