Play Old Fashioned Garden Games
Here are some ideas for fun garden games to play in the UK. There’s no point having a lovely garden (see yesterday) if you can’t enjoy it. I can’t let my Party Entertainer days go to waste, (I was the Party Professor, after all) – and not include some Springtime games for the garden.
*** Specific Equipment Needed
** A little equipment is needed (you could totally substitute stuff)
* Either no equipment or you can probably find what you need in the house.
*** Swingball
Swingball is a classic game enjoyed by all ages and abilities. It might be considered retro, but it still sells well and is quite hard to resist. It’s easy to set up and play and doesn’t take up much space. The aim is to hit the ball around the pole and make it reach the top or bottom before your opponent does. Swingball is great for improving your hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and fitness.
You can buy a swingball set online or in toy shops.
Personally, I would ask on Facebook – I’m pretty sure every third person on your friend list will have one in their shed that hasn’t seen the light of day for a decade.
*** Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is a supersized version of the popular table stacking game. You remove wooden blocks from a tower and place them on top without making it collapse. The game is fun, challenging, and more nerve-wracking than the normal type, and it can get very tense as the tower gets higher and wobblier.
You must shout JENGA!!!!!! as the tower topples, as it is written in the scriptures.
A flat surface is a must for this, and you might want to stand back when it falls – as it flipping hurts if the whole lot falls on your foot. Can confirm. Giant Jenga is easily found online or in toy shops.
*** Boules
Boules is a traditional French game that can be played on any surface. You have to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball called a jack. The game is easy to play but hard to master, requiring skill, strategy, and precision. Play with two players or teams, andup the ante by adding obstacles, changing the distance, or adding some other dastardly rule, like spinning round first or downing a shot.
n.b. Your friends may be more sensible than mine.
Boule sets are easily found (and super-cheap) in the warmer months in convenience stores, supermarkets, toy shops, or online.
** Rounders
Rounders is the perfect bank holiday game for two teams of any size. Round up the neighbours – especially if you made friends with them earlier in the month.
Remember, keep it weird.
You need a bat of some description (I’ve used an omelette pan and it kind of worked), a ball (see above), and four bases (jumpers are fine).
The batting team tries to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball as hard as possible and running around the bases.
Or, if you’re like me, you might just swing wildly, miss, and run around the bases anyway. The fielding team tries to get them out by catching the ball or tagging them with it. It’s a game that encourages teamwork, fitness, and sportsmanship.
Beer submerged in a bin with ice is the traditional beverage accompaniment.
* British Bulldog
Works best with a bigger garden/park with a flat surface and no obstacles.
Divide the players into two teams: runners and catchers. The catchers start at one end of the garden and the runners at the other. The catchers shout, “British bulldog!” while the runners try to run across the garden to the opposite end without being caught by the catchers.
The catchers can only catch the runners by holding them still for three seconds or making them touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet. Squealing is optional but probable.
If a runner is caught, they join the catchers’ team and help them catch the remaining runners.
The game ends when all the runners are caught or when one runner manages to reach the opposite end of the garden without being caught.
Have fun, and be careful that it doesn’t get too violent!
* Easy Balloon Games
Balloon Toss: Get into pairs and throw a balloon filled with water back and forth without dropping it. Take a step back after each successful catch to increase the jeopardy. The last pair with an intact balloon wins. For little children, play the game above with air-filled balloons rather than water.
Balloon Pop: Tie a balloon to each person’s ankle on a piece of string or ribbon. Try to pop other people’s balloons while protecting your own. The last person with an intact balloon wins.
Warning: Utter Carnage.
Balloon Race:
Hold a balloon between your legs and race to the finish line without dropping it. The first person to cross the finish line with the balloon wins.
Variations:
Race as before, tapping the balloon upwards into the air as high as possible.
^ Across the ground with your nose.