Curling

Curling is a fun sport played on ice. Two teams slide big round stones toward a target called the house. Players use brooms to sweep the ice in front of the stone. The sweeping helps the stone slide farther and straighter. The team with stones closest to the center wins points.

The Game

Each team has four players. They take turns pushing stones down the ice. Each stone weighs about 42 pounds and is made of granite. The ice has small bumps called pebbles. These help the stone curl, or turn, as it slides. Games have ten parts called ends.

Curling players slide heavy stones down shiny lanes of ice.
Curling players slide heavy stones down shiny lanes of ice. (Glenlarson / Wikimedia Commons)

Where It Started

Curling began in Scotland over 500 years ago. People played it on frozen lakes in winter. Now it is played on special indoor ice rinks. Curling became an Olympic sport in 1998. It is popular in Canada, Scotland, and many cold countries.

Fun Facts

  • Curling is sometimes called 'chess on ice' because players plan every move.
  • Curling stones are made from special granite found on an island in Scotland.
  • Good curling sweepers can make a stone go 15 feet farther.

Did You Know?

A curling stone has a handle on top, and players twist it to make the stone spin and curl as it slides.