Ga-ga is a fast-paced, dodgeball-style game played in a fenced-in court (often hexagonal or octagonal) with a single ball and two or more players. Like dodgeball, the object of the game is to knock out your opponents by hitting them with the ball. Unlike dodgeball, however, the ball can only be hit with open hands and is in almost constant motion. Players strike, jump, and run to avoid being hit and are eliminated only when struck on or below the knee.
Sort all materials into piles by like items to ensure you have materials needed to complete project.
Take all of the 2x12x16' boards. Cut each into [2] 96" pieces, for a total of [24] 2x12x96" pieces.
Take [5] of the 1x6x12' boards. Cut each into [4] 36" pieces, for a total of [20] 1x6x36" pieces.
Take the remaining 1x6x12' board. Cut into [1] 36" piece and [3] 1x6x24" pieces.
Beveled Edge Cuts:
Inventory and sort all of your materials.
If there is grass in the gaga pit space, remove it.
Next, assemble the eight sides. Seven (7) of the sides will have (3) 2x12x96" pieces laid next to each other. Use the 1x6x36" straps to attach them together. There will be (3) straps per side, one in the center and one on each side 10" from the edge.
Assemble the final (and 8th) side using (2) of the 2x12x96" pieces, and the (3) 1x6x24" pieces. (This will be the entry in and out of the Gaga Pit for smaller children.)
Connect the sides together forming an octagon using two hinges per corner. One hinge will connect the top 2x12s and one will connect the bottom 2x12s. There will not be a hinge on the center 2x12s.
Finish the octagon and prepare the bottom. It can be asphalt, concrete, limestone, decomposed granite, sand, or packed down dirt. Make sure your Gaga Court is actually an octagon and doesn't resemble an egg-shape.
KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that works to achieve playspace equity. Kids who don't have access to play miss out on childhood and are denied critical opportunities to build physical, social and emotional health.
We team up with communities to build incredible playspaces that help give every kid the opportunity to thrive.
Our goal is to end playspace inequity. For good.
Sign up for our emails to learn more about our work and how you can help KABOOM! create sparks for change.
Sign up!
Plant trees and shrubs, or add a pizza garden, butterfly garden, or custom garden to your playspace! The pizza garden is easy to create and provides a place where kids can watch different plants grow, seeing the similarities and differences in each. The butterfly garden encourages exploration, offers a sensory experience and can be the setting for many science lessons. The custom garden is specifically designed for the needs of the community.
Adding a huge, colorful map brings color to the playspace and teaches geography to kids. Children will be amazed by this enormous map, and will be drawn to thinking about it and playing around it. Painting is also a fun volunteer project! A finished painting project always provides a sense of accomplishment and very little expertise is needed to contribute successfully to the project.
A stage enhances the play area by giving children a place to put on skits and plays, and serves as a space to hold other community events as well.