Short Takes: A Return to Better Fun and Games
Recently, we had our annual summer party for the grandkids with food, fun, and games. I wished I had spent less time on food and more time games.
So, we had a redo on Sunday. It was a blast.
Today’s post features a roster of games everyone can play. These games make an informal family party way more fun.
After I post a story, I may discover new ways to make a project better. These new posts are Short Takes. Today’s Short Take offers many more tips, ideas, and refinements to my summer party post.
Orchestrating a Day of Games
We played relay games, team games, and ended up with our version of Capture the Flag, which is a laughter-inducing, free-for-all. I limited refreshments to cookies and ice cream this time.
Relay Games
These games require just a few props and minor prep work.
Wet Relay: Don’t Spill the Water!
Set up: For two teams, you need four bowls or pots of similar size. Place two bowls filled with water at one end. Place two empty bowls at the opposite end. Give each team a cup. The teams line up on the side with the empty bowl.
Finding clues for a treasure hunt. One of 12 favorite games to play with grandkids.
Game play: The first player on each team runs with their cup to the bowl of water, scoops up water, and returns to dump the water into the empty bowl. Each succeeding player does the same. The game is over when one team scoops up all the water from the bowl. The team that fills the most water in their bowl–not the one who completes the task the fastest–is the winner. If you don’t have identical bowls, just use a measuring cup to measure equal amounts of water in the filled bowl, and to determine which team collected the most water when the game is over.
Spoon Race–Age-old Favorite
Set up: Provide the same size spoon for each team and something to carry in the spoon. I like lemons, rather than eggs, since you can use them later, no matter how many times they get dropped. Designate goal posts–we used two chairs–and have the racers go around the chairs from the outside in, to increase the chances of running into each other.
Game play: The first player puts the lemon on the spoon and races to the opposite end, rounds their designated chair, and returns to the starting point; the next team member takes up the spoon and lemon and does the same. The race continues until all team members have taken a turn.
Washday Laundry Race
Set up: Collect a few articles of similar or duplicate clothing of a size that everyone would be able to wear. I chose a jacket, hat, and a crossbody handbag for each team. Other choices might include: mittens, a T-shirt, socks; necklace. Put a set of clothing in each of two boxes at the far end, opposite the teams.
Game play: The first player runs to the box, wears the clothes and returns to their team. Then they take off the clothes so the next team member can wear them. That team member runs back to the box, puts the clothes back in the box, and runs back. The next team member runs back to the box, puts on the clothes, and so on.
Other Games
Giant Bubbles–a Game Interlude
Set up: Make some giant bubble solution and let it sit at least 1 hour. Make bubble wands using two plastic straws held together into a rectangle with yarn or string (cotton is best).
Play: This takes a bit of patience, since some of the bubbles will break. You might want regular bubble solution and small bubble wands in reserve if kids have trouble.
Flotsam and Jetsam…Go Fishing!
Set up: Make a fishing pole with a yardstick and a length of yarn or string. Tie a large binder clip to the end of the yarn for the hook. Cover a table with a sheet–the child should not be able to see over the table when they cast their line. If the table is too low, add a box on top. Purchase a few small prizes and gather some clean trash–crumpled paper, a water bottle, toilet paper roll, a washed sock, etc.
Game play: Kids take turns fishing by casting their line over the box. Clip on an item and give the yarn a tug so the child knows they have a bite. Sometimes, the “catch” should be a piece of rubbish, interspersed between the more valuable catch of small prizes. Save the best prize for their last fishing expedition.
Capture the Flag (Our Way)
Set up: Make a flag for each team. I made mine using the inner cardboard roll from plastic wrap. I cut a rectangle of fabric scrap and glued it on with a hot glue gun. (This is safer than using sticks.) Set aside two chairs at opposite ends for each base; set a flag on each chair. Give each team an equal number of recycle printer papers (about 15 each) and a shopping bag.
Game play: At the signal, “Go!” each team begins crumpling recycle papers into balls for ammunition, packs them in their shopping bag, and advances on the other team to capture their flag. If you are hit by a paper wad, you have to go back to your base and start again.
This is a game we played when we had cardboard carton forts. The forts have long gone to recycle heaven. So now, we can use chairs for the forts instead.
Finale: Firing the Confetti Cannon
A fitting end to a day of fun and games is the firing of the confetti cannon, a new “tradition” started last year. The set I bought comes in a pack of five. We used one last year, two this year, and we still have two more for next year’s summer games.
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