Let’s Play!

When you head out into the playground at

break times, have you ever thought that the
games you enjoy playing rely on forces?
Imagine kicking a ball without gravity
pulling the ball back to the ground?
Whether you are kicking a ball, swinging
a rope, or simply running around, there
are many forces in play that make your
games work.
 Traditional Games
Most ancient cultures around the world played games.
A lot of these games are still played in similar ways today.
These games rely on forces in order to work.
 Brambahl
Brambahl is an Indigenous Australian game played
by the Juwalarai people of New South Wales.
It is played with a long rope, which is turned by
two people while another player performs tricks
beneath the turning rope.
Can you think of a similar game that children
play today?
 Traditional Games
Indigenous North Americans from various Native
American Communities played a game using
netted poles. The aim of the game was to toss a
ball from net to net to the players in your team
until one hit the scoring pole. This game is now
called ‘lacrosse’.
What kinds of forces would be involved in a game
of lacrosse?
 Playground Forces
Go to your school playground. In pairs, find
four pieces of equipment you enjoy using.
Take turns having a go at each piece of
equipment and decide what forces are
being used.
 Activity
With a partner choose four pieces of equipment you enjoy using.
Take turns using the equipment, taking notice of the forces being used.

Draw a picture of the pieces of equipment you investigated with

your partner.
Use arrows to show the forces in play when using the equipment.
Label the forces as push, pull or gravity.

If completed see Mrs Price for extension