Freeze Ball: An Active Game of Suspense, Speed and Skill

Throw, run, dodge, catch – despite its name, Freeze Ball is not a game about standing still. This high-energy addition to Wild Planet’s award-winning brand of Hyper Games involves matching colors and numbers and sharpening reflexes.

Freeze Ball comes with a soft, colorful six-sided ball and six number-shaped wristbands. Players begin the game by dividing up the bands, putting them on and waiting in suspense as the first player tosses the ball into the air.

If the ball lands with the blue side and number 2 facing up, the player wearing the blue 2-shaped band runs and retrieves the ball. All other players scatter and run in the opposite direction. Once the player with the matching band obtains the ball, he or she yells “freeze” and runners stop in their tracks, wondering who will become the first target.

Players keep their feet planted as the one in possession of the squishy foam ball decides if they will throw it at the person closest to them, or try to catch a more distant, unsuspecting opponent off guard. As long as no one moves their feet, players can try to catch the ball or bend and duck to dodge it.

If a player catches the ball, the one who threw it gives the catcher a wristband; if a player is hit by the ball, the one who threw it receives a wristband.

The number of players determines how many bands each person gets at the start of the game. Once a player gives up all their bands, they’re eliminated. The game continues until one player obtains all six bands.

There are many other ways to play Freeze Ball – including modified versions for indoor playtime or playdates with kids of varying ages. Kids can take turns tossing the ball straight up and calling out a color or number while the ball is airborne. Players with the matching band try to catch the ball before it lands, earning a wristband if they succeed or forfeiting one if they miss.

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The National Parenting Center – Seal of Approval Winner: Freeze Ball

Freeze Ball is another high energy, physically active offering from Wild Planet that hit the sweet spot with our testers. Easy to learn and play, the game will remind parents of their younger days playing freeze tag, this is an updated version of the classic game. The big die is soft and durable and many parents felt that it would come in handy for others games as well. The silly bands which identify players surprised testers with their durability. The larger the playing area the more fun and the more challenging so if your yard isn't large enough, this is a great game to bring to the park.

Parents Magazine – 20 Best Summer Toys: Freeze Ball

A wild mix of dodge ball, freeze tag, and the silly Bandz craze, this inventive game has kids run, duck, and think fast to win bracelets.( 6 years+)

Parents’ Choice Awards – Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner: Freeze Ball

Freeze Ball is a combination freeze tag/dodge ball game. The "ball" is actually a soft, numbered cube, like an over-sized die. Players wear wristbands in the shape of numerals, and when the ball lands with one of their numbers on top, they race to the ball, call out "Freeze!" to the other players, and try to throw the ball to tag one of the other players. (The ball is very soft - it would be virtually impossible to injure someone with it.) A player who is tagged gives up a number to the thrower, but if the ball misses, the thrower gives a number to the target player. The winner is the one who collects all the numbers from the other players.

This is a high-energy game and sticks to the things kids love best - running around (while yelling, naturally), reversing course, running some more, trying to move while trying not to be caught moving, trying to tag, trying not to be tagged. They got creative with the game and debated different rules - are players allowed to "duck" while frozen, or not? What advantages, if any, should younger players be given? Players with more throwing skill have the definite advantage in this game, but everyone, skilled or not, enjoyed it and played enthusiastically every time the weather was nice enough to allow it.

Emily Crawford ©2011 Parents' Choice

Creative Children Magazine – 2011 Preferred Choice Award: Freeze Ball