Kids' Scrambles - Sports Trivia Quiz

The scrambled clue "balolyvell" = volleyball.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, who wanted to create a game that was less physical than basketball. In volleyball, two teams of six players each try to score points by hitting a ball over a net and into the opponent's court. Players can use their hands, arms, or any part of their body to hit the ball, but they can't catch or hold it. The team that wins a rally earns a point and gets to serve the ball for the next rally. Volleyball became an official Olympic sport in 1964, while beach volleyball was added in 1996.

Fascinating fact: Volleyball was originally called "mintonette" by its inventor.

The scrambled clue "innest" = tennis.

A version of tennis originated in Europe during the 12th century. Over time, the game evolved, and players began using rackets to hit the ball. In tennis, players compete on a rectangular court divided by a net. They use rackets to hit a ball back and forth over the net, aiming to land the ball within the boundaries of the opponent's side of the court. Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball properly. Tennis was added to the Olympic Games in 1896, making it one of the oldest sports in Olympic history.

Fascinating fact: Original tennis balls were made of leather, and you smacked them back and forth with your bare hands!

The scrambled clue "gisink" = skiing.

Skiing originated thousands of years ago as a means of transportation and hunting in snowy regions, with evidence of early skis dating back to ancient times in Scandinavia and Asia. Over time, skiing evolved into a popular recreational activity and sport. In skiing, participants strap long, narrow boards called skis to their feet and glide down snow-covered slopes. There are various types of skiing, including alpine skiing, which involves racing down steep, groomed slopes, and cross-country skiing, where participants ski across flat or gently rolling terrain. Skiing was first introduced to the Winter Olympics in 1924, during the first Winter Games held in Chamonix, France.

Fascinating fact: The world's first ski lift was invented in 1908 in Germany.

The scrambled clue "csecro" = soccer.

Soccer, also known as football in many countries, originated in ancient times, with various forms of ball games being played by civilizations around the world. The modern version of soccer took shape in England during the 19th century. In soccer, two teams of eleven players each compete to score goals by kicking a ball into the opposing team's net. Players are not allowed to use their hands or arms, except for the goalkeeper, who can use their hands within the penalty area. Soccer was added to the Olympic Games in 1900 during the Summer Olympics held in Paris, France.

Fascinating fact: The highest-scoring soccer game in history was 149-0, and occurred in 2002 in Madagascar! However, the players lost as a form of protest, not because they were bad at the sport.

The scrambled clue "iec eckyho" = ice hockey.

Ice originated in Canada, where British soldiers stationed there adapted the game of field hockey to be played on ice. The modern version of ice hockey emerged in the late 1800s, with the first organized indoor ice hockey game taking place in Montreal, Canada, in 1875. In ice hockey, two teams of six players each compete to score goals by shooting a rubber puck into the opposing team's net. Ice hockey was first added to the Olympic Games in 1920 during the Summer Olympics held in Antwerp, Belgium. Since then, it has been a part of the Winter Olympics, which started in 1924.

Fascinating fact: In ice hockey, a "hat trick" is scoring three goals in a single game. It was named this because people would throw their hats on the ice to celebrate the achievement!

The scrambled clue "tkraea" = karate.

Karate is a traditional martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, during the 14th century. It was developed as a form of unarmed combat for self-defense, incorporating techniques such as punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand strikes. Karate matches, known as kumite, involve sparring with an opponent, where points are scored for landing clean and controlled strikes on specific target areas of the body. Karate was added to the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020 during the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.

Fascinating fact: Karate was included in the 2020 Summer Olympics, but was not approved for inclusion at the 2024 or 2028 Olympics. Not all sports make the cut at the Olympics!

The scrambled clue "abllbsae" = baseball.

Baseball traces its history back to the 18th century in North America. It evolved from various bat-and-ball games played in England, as well as other European countries. The modern version of baseball took shape in the mid-19th century in the United States, where it later became known as America's pastime. In baseball, two teams of nine players each take turns batting and fielding. The batting team tries to score runs by hitting a ball thrown by the pitcher and running around a series of bases arranged in a diamond shape. Baseball was added to the Olympic Games in 1992 during the Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.

Fascinating fact: Technically, baseball doesn't have a time limit. In theory, it could go on forever!

The scrambled clue "ktcar dan idfel" = track and field.

Track and field dates back to ancient times. It originated in Greece as part of the ancient Olympic Games, where athletes competed in various running, jumping, and throwing events. The modern version of track and field emerged in the 19th century and became a popular sport worldwide. In track and field, athletes compete in a variety of events, including sprints, distance races, hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and pole vault. Each event requires different skills and techniques, such as speed, strength, agility, and coordination. Track and field was added to the Olympic Games in 1896 during the first Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece.

Fascinating fact: The pole vault event finds its origins in soldiers using long sticks to hop over fences and walls!

The scrambled clue "iglyccn" = cycling.

The bicycle, as we know it today, was invented in the early 1800s, leading to cycling becoming a popular recreational activity and competitive sport. In cycling, athletes ride bicycles in various ways, including road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX. Cycling was first added to the Olympic Games in 1896 during the first Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece.

Fascinating fact: Cyclists have special terms for their sport. For example, "bonking" means suddenly finding yourself with total lack of energy in the middle of a race.

The scrambled clue "otbindanm" = badminton.

Badminton has a long history that originated in ancient civilizations such as Greece, India, and China. However, the modern version of badminton took shape in the mid-19th century in British India, where it was initially known as "Poona" or "Poonah". In badminton, players use rackets to hit a shuttlecock, also called a birdie, back and forth over a net. The sport was added to the Olympic Games in 1992 during the Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.

Fascinating fact: Shuttlecocks were originally made with bird feathers!

The scrambled clue "gwnsmiim" = swimming.

The modern version of swimming as a sport could first be seen in the 19th century, with the creation of swimming clubs and competitions in Europe and North America. In swimming, athletes move themselves through water using various strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Competitions typically take place in pools, with races ranging from short sprints to longer distances. Swimming was added to the Olympic Games in 1896 during the inaugural Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece.

Fascinating fact: Olympic swimming has historically been dominated by athletes from the United States, with Australia coming in a distant second. After the 2020 Olympic Games, the total number of Olympic swimming medals for Americans was 549, while Australia had won a total of 212.

The scrambled clue "aeltkbblas" = basketball.

Basketball was invented in 1891 when Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian-American P.E. instructor, created the game as a way to keep his students active indoors during the winter. Today, basketball is played by two teams of five players each, who compete to score points by shooting the ball through the opponent's hoop. Basketball was added to the Olympic Games in 1936 during the Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany.

Fascinating fact: The first game of basketball was played with peach baskets! That's where the sport gets its name.