Sometimes when you’re tired of doing the same old, same old, you need to not just look for something new to do, you need to create something new.
At a friend’s house, we were talking about some of our favourite lawn games. It sometimes surprises me how the simplest games can be the most fun. Take, for example, horseshoes or corn hole. Throw. Hit the target. Have fun.
In gym class one year, we created Human Crokinole, where we rolled team members to a target on scooter boards. It made me think it would be good times to host an Invent the Game night.
Depending on the age of your kids, it would be a great family activity, but would also work well for a group of friends. I think the idea of splitting up into smaller teams is helpful because it allows for each person to contribute more creatively, and having multiple games at the end of the night is a fun thing to look forward to.
After you split into teams, give each team a time limit to minimize procrastination and force quick decisions, as well as access to a resource table. Be creative yet simple with the resources available to the teams. Some ideas would be to include things like bean bags, water balloons, hula hoops, flags, wood blocks, rocks, various balls, rope, stakes and spray chalk.
Teams can grab what they need or think they will need, and then start brainstorming a new, at least somewhat original game. They should think through the objective of the game, the rules, the name of the game and how to win. Test out the game a few times to work through any kinks and make necessary modifications, and then present each team’s game to the entire group. Instruct everybody on how to play and have everyone take part in playing each game.
Go with the flow and continue to play each game, or hone in on the groups favourite. Who knows, you may just create a fun game for family and friends that can become a tradition and played for years of fun.
