01
Start with what you already have
A soft ball, four cones or jumpers, and a printed bingo sheet cover most of a World Cup weekend. We set up a penalty shootout before an evening match and saved match-day bingo for the sofa — children had already burned energy outdoors.
02
Rainy-day rugby without the garden
Indoor rugby target toss takes five minutes to set up: a foam ball, a laundry basket, and tape for a throwing line. Keep it soft, short, and no-contact when matches run long and attention drifts.
03
Make viewing interactive, not passive
Match bingo turns TV time into a spotting game — tries, conversions, flags, and teamwork moments. Explain the squares before kick-off and agree no shouting over the commentator.
04
Add geography without a textbook
The flag matching sheet works during match introductions and half-time news. Pick six to twelve nations, tick flags as they appear, and ask children to find each one on a map.
05
When you have outdoor space
The skills stations — pass, carry, target toss, and teamwork — run in twenty minutes with the scorecard printable. Rotate every two minutes so nobody waits too long.
Planning tips
Make the week easier
- Print bingo and scorecards before the match starts.
- Keep designs original — avoid copying official team kits.
- Use the Rugby League World Cup 2026 hub for all linked printables.
- Plan one outdoor and one indoor backup each day.
Try these
Linked activities
Activity ideas mentioned in this article.
Backyard Rugby Passing Challenge
A gentle rugby passing game using a soft ball, with simple targets and turn-taking for children.
Rugby World Cup Flag Relay
A no-contact flag and geography relay for learning about rugby nations during the tournament.
Indoor Rugby Target Toss
A soft-ball indoor target game for rainy match days, using a laundry basket or cardboard goal.
Rugby League Team Try Tally
A simple teamwork and number game where children build a pretend rugby league score together.
Print & play
Linked printables
Download or preview these printable resources.
Bingo
Rugby League World Cup Match Bingo
A family Rugby League World Cup watch-along bingo sheet with tries, conversions, flags, and teamwork moments.
Worksheet
Rugby World Cup Flag Matching Sheet
A printable flag matching sheet for Rugby League World Cup geography games at home or in class.
Party Game
Rugby Skills Scorecard
A simple scorecard for passing, target toss, balance, and teamwork challenges.
FAQs
Common questions
What ages are these World Cup activities best for?
Most ideas suit ages 4 to 11. Indoor target toss works from age 3. Flag relays are best from age 5.
Do we need to watch every match?
No. Garden games and printables work even if you only catch highlights. Match bingo suits any rugby viewing.
