Make a plastic bag ball
There are lots of different ways to make a ball. Sometimes Worldbuddies use banana or corn leaves, strips
of cloth or plastic bags. Try making this simple ball and recycle plastic bags at the same time!
You will need:
•
•
•
•
Some sheets of newspaper
20 to 30 clean plastic bags, different sizes and colours
One coloured plastic bag for the outside of your ball
String or twine and scissors
1
3
of newspaper
Scrunch up some sheets
centre of the ball.
for the
Keep hold of the twist while you
carefully turn
your plastic bag inside out. W
rap it back around
the ball in a second layer. Twist
the bag tight
again. You might be able to do
this a few more
times if the plastic bag is quite
big.
2
Place this in the bottom
of the smallest plastic
bag then twist the bag to
make a tight ball.
4
t ends left, tie these
When you only have shor
knot. Tr y not to have
together in a tight double
t.
a bumpy knot sticking ou
Quick tips
• S tart with an old plastic ball as the centre instead of newspaper.
• Use tape or rubber bands to hold your ball together instead of tying
it with string.
5
Make a plastic bag ball
6
m of a second plastic
Place the ball in the botto
d the ball, twist it tight
bag. Wrap the bag aroun
out. Keep on doing this
then turn the bag inside
ends in another knot.
until you need to tie the
a different place to
Make sure this knot is in
keep the ball round.
Keep wrapping more plastic bag
s this way until
you are have the size of ball you
want. Use a
coloured plastic bag for the ou
tside layer.
Tie the ends in a tight knot.
Take your string or twine and
tie it onto the last
knot you made. Wind the string
tightly around
the middle of your ball a few
times then back
through the knot. Turn the bal
l so you can wind
the string around to make qu
arters.
wind the string
Turn the ball again so you can
to make eight
in the middle of each quarter
and tie it in a
smaller segments. Cut the string
underneath.
tight knot. Twist the loose ends
7
8
Choose how to finish the outside of your ball:
Easier
Turn the ball on its side and wind your string tightly around the middle a few
times. Cut the string and tie it in a tight knot. Twist the loose ends underneath.
(See step 8)
Harder
Try weaving the string in and out around the segments. Start at the top where
the knot is and go around the ball in a spiral until you reach the bottom. Cut the
string and tie it in a tight knot. Twist the loose ends underneath.
Watch a video showing how to make a plastic bag ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0GQZFlO4tM&NR=1
Thanks to Send A Cow for their great photos:
www.sendacow.org.uk/schools
Playing ball games
What games or sports do you play that use a ball?
Write labels for
these photos to
say what games
you think these
Worldbuddies
are playing.
But what do you do if you don’t have a ball
and you don’t \have money to buy one?
Instead of missing out, Worldbuddies come up with clever solutions.
They find old bits of cloth, plastic bags, and string to make their own ball.
Find out how with this fun activity Make a plastic bag ball.
On the team
think spot #14
Worldbuddies enjoy playing team sports. As well as being fun, sports are important for learning many things.
Here’s what Amanuel from Ethiopia thinks.
“Football is more than scoring goals
and entertaining yourself with people watching.
It’s an opportunity to learn discipline and how to
remain patient. It’s where you can learn to develop
confidence and a strong spirit of winning against
your difficulties. It’s a skill where you strengthen
your body. It also creates an opportunity to
make new friends.”
What do you learn from playing on a sports team?
Write your ideas in the labels around the star.
Dear
Worldbuddy #14
Sponsore
d child’s
full nam
Sponsore
e:
d child’s
number:
Date:
Dear…
Write a letter to your Worldbuddy using these
ideas to get started or write your own letter.
Tell your Worldbuddy about the team ball games that we
play here in New Zealand and ask them about their
favourite game.
Include a photo or draw a picture of you playing
a ball game.
In New
Zealand w
e play lo
ball game
ts of tea
s like…
m
My favou
rite ball
games ar
e…
What ball
games do
friends li
you and
ke playing
your
?
[Write y
our own
message
Worldbu
to your
ddy]
From…
Tell your Worldbuddy why team games are
important for children.
When you mail your letter remember to:
1.Find the page in your sign-up pack with your
Worldbuddy’s picture on it. This is where you
find your sponsored child’s name, their reference
number and the address to post your letter.
2.Write your sponsored child’s full name and
reference number:
• at the top of your letter, and
• on the back of the envelope.
3.On the front of the envelope, write the address
of the World Vision office for the country where
your Worldbuddy lives.
4.
NEVER write your personal address details on
any letters or messages.
Zambia
World Vision
83
PO Box 31-0
a
Lusak
ZAMBIA