Pins and Bottles: Fun, Budget-Friendly Ideas for Target Games!

Bowling pins, thin pins, and numbered pins are fantastic tools for target games—but you do not need anything fancy to get started. Empty water or soda bottles make a fun, budget-friendly alternative. Throughout this post, I will refer to them all as “pins,” but remember that bottles work just as well. For added flair and scoring variety, try filling bottles with water and a splash of food coloring. 

Small Team Game

Spin the Pin Tag

This energetic game is great for three players. Place a hula hoop on the ground with a pin (or bottle) lying flat in the center. All three players stand around the hoop. One player spins the pin, and whoever it points to becomes the tagger. The tagger then chases the others until someone is tagged. Everyone returns to the hoop, and the tagged player spins to start the next round. 

Team Surrounded Pin Knockdown

Set a pin upright in the center of a hula hoop. Three defensive players surround the hoop, guarding the pin. Around them, set up a wider circle using poly spots (brightly coloured markers) or cones, where three offensive players stand. The offense passes a ball around, looking for an opening to knock down the pin, while the defense blocks. Switch roles after each knockdown or play for a set time and count how many pins each team knocks down. 

Seven Degree

A popular outdoor game from India, this challenge starts with three pins set up and a throwing line about five to ten paces away (depending on skill level). A player throws a ball at the pins. If missed and a defender behind the pins catches the ball on one bounce, it counts as a strike. Three strikes and that player is out. When a pin is knocked over, the throwing team races to reset all three pins before being hit by a thrown ball. A successful setup equals one run. Players cannot move with the ball but may pivot.

Molky

In this individual game, players race to be the first to score exactly 50 points. Start by numbering the pins and placing them in a cluster. Each player throws a designated pin from a line about four paces away. Score the number of pins knocked over, or the number on the single pin if only one falls. Stand the pins back up where they landed. A player who misses three times in a row is out. Overshooting 50 points drops the score to 25. 

Large Team Games

Pin Knockdown 

Teams line up behind an end line on opposite sides of a playing area. Place pins in front of each team. Players roll balls to try to knock down the opposing team's pins, staying behind the center line. After a set time, the team with the most pins knocked down wins. 

Pin Knockdown Safe or Dare

This variation allows players to cross the center line, but with a twist—if they are hit by a ball while on the opponent’s side, they are “eliminated.” Eliminated players can retrieve balls for teammates but may not throw or tag others. 

Pin Ringers

Place a pin at the center of each team's basketball key. Teams try to toss a ring over their pin more times than their opponent. Players cannot run or walk with the ring; it must be passed. If it drops, the first player to place a foot inside the ring can pick it up and continue. 

Pin Knockdown in Crease (Ball or Disc) 

Similar to Pin Ringers, but instead of a ring, players use a ball or disc. The goal is to knock down your team’s pin in the opponent’s crease. 

Games with a Net

Pin Knockdown Over Net

Using a volleyball or badminton net, scatter pins around each team’s side of the court. Players toss balls over the net, aiming to knock down the other team’s pins. 

Pin Knockdown Under Net

This variation requires players to roll balls under the net to hit opposing pins while protecting their own. 

Pins or bottles offer great focus for a wide variety of target games. For something a bit different, check out Stryke`N pins—six-sided, numbered like dice, and designed to score the number facing up when knocked over. 

Looking for more ideas?

Explore over 60 target games at CanadaGo4Sport, and check out high-quality pin options, including Stryke`N and others, through Gopher Sport.