Backyard Games for the Whole Family
We all know physical activity is important for staying healthy and happy. But when you’ve walked every track around your house and all the cricket balls are on the roof or stuck in the trees what do you do? Never fear, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of the very best backyard games to invest in. The whole family will be kept entertained for hours.
Backyard Bocce
When it comes to simple backyard games, Bocce is up there with the best. You can find cheap Bocce sets at Kmart or any hobby store and you’re ready to get playing. If you’ve tried lawn bowls before you’re in with a good shot at the crown as the two games are quite similar. The aim of the game is to get your team’s balls closer to the pallino (little ball that you roll out first) than the other team’s. You can also try knocking the other team’s balls further away. When all balls have been used, the closest team scores a point for each ball closer than the opposing team. The first team to 11 points wins.
Finksa
If ball games aren’t your thing, you may want to get your hands on a Finska set. Again, you can pick up a set at Kmart or any good hobby store. The game involves throwing a wooden block at a cluster of 12 wooden cylinders marked with numbers 1 to 12. If you manage to knock over a cylinder you score the number it is marked with. However if you knock over more than one cylinder you score the number of cylinders you knocked over. The first to exactly 50 points wins, but if you score above 50, your score drops back to 25. This is definitely not the game for jarjums who don’t love maths.
Kubb
Better known as Swedish or viking chess Kubb is fun for the whole family. Similar to Finska it involves throwing a wooden block at other wooden blocks, but in Kubb there is considerably less maths involved. Best played on grass or gravel the game involves setting up a small court, ideally 6x3m with the king piece in the middle and the five ‘kubb’ pieces evenly distributed along the two opposite sides of the court. You then take it in turns to throw your wooden baton at the opposing pieces, tossing across all the fallen pieces to the other side at the end of each round. Once one team has completely cleared the opposite side of the court they can make a play for the king. You can pick up a Kubb set from Kmart or any good hobby store.
Giant Jenga
Jenga is an old family favourite improved only by size. You can purchase Giant Jenga at Kmart or any good hobby store. It’s fun for the whole family and definitely school holiday approved. Just like regular sized Jenga the rules are simple, take out a block and place in on top of the tower, all without it falling over. To level up you could write fun dares or challenges on each block for players to complete before their turn is over.