Number of players: 3+ Ages: 12+, or writing age. This is a fun game that can be used with many different themes. The theme in this description is history, but it can be used with just about any subject, or even a group of objects that are used for the similar purposes. Each player is provided with a sheet of paper and pencil and writes a description of some historical character. The object is to give a description of the person that’s truthful, but puzzling or misleading to the other players who guess the character, or object the writer has … Continue reading →

Jacob and Rachel This is a great indoor or outdoor party game based on the Biblical couple Jacob and Rachel. The earliest mention of this game I could find was 1903, but I’m sure it goes back much, much further, particularly in Jewish tradition. It’s a great Old Testament story that can add a sense of history if told beforehand. Number of players 6+ (the more the better) Ages: 4+ Space: Big living room or rec room, outside All of the players but two form a circle with their hands clasped. The two remaining players stand in the center. One … Continue reading →

This old fashioned parlor game can be a serious lesson in writing, or it can enable players to stretch their creativity. Number of players: 4+ Ages: 10+ To begin, each player is provided with two slips of paper, and another sheet of full paper and something to write with. Each player writes a question. It can be any kind of question, bizarre, funny or serious. On the other slip of paper, each player writes a regular or proper noun. Each of the question slips is placed in one hat, each noun slip in another. The questions are mixed up, and … Continue reading →

Here are some more fun stunts you can do at a party, or any time. They can be a lot of fun at a kid’s party in which you’ve run out of regular activities. They’re also fun for adults to attempt. Chinese Get Up Two people sit on the floor back to back with their arms locked. They stay in this position as much as possible while trying to stand upright together. Jug Handle One person places his hands across the chest, with the tips of the middle fingers touching and the elbows extending on each side like a jug … Continue reading →

These are some variations on the simple game of tag. 1. Wood Tag This game is just like simple tag, except a player who is touching something made of wood is “safe.” This is a good indoor tag variation. Needless to say, it might not be too much fun in a forest, but could be a lot of fun in a back yard with sparse trees. 2. French Tag This is a cool variation because it has boundaries, and so can be played in a little less space, maybe indoors. The smaller the boundaries, the more agility required of the … Continue reading →

This is a fun action and memory game that’s almost as much fun to watch as it is to play. Number of players: 6+ Ages: 4 + Kids love this game, but it’s funny to watch when big people play it. Space: Back yard, playground, big living room or other indoor area. All but two of the players form a ring by holding hands. The enclosure they make forms the garden. One of the odd players goes inside the garden, and the other stays outside of the garden. The player in the garden is the scamp; the player outside the … Continue reading →

This is a great variation on the traditional marbles game. Instead of trying to shoot marbles out of a circle, the players are attempting to shoot into a hole in the circle. Number of players: 2-6 Ages: 5+ Space required: This is probably best played outdoors, since it’s best to dig a little circle. The inner circle can be drawn or formed with string though if played inside on carpet. To start, form a circle that will be the playing field. Six feet by six feet is the best size, but the game can still be fun with a three … Continue reading →

Stunts are a lot of fun for a lot of reasons. First, you only need one or two adventurous souls to perform them. Second, almost anyone can do them with enough practice. Finally, if you can get enough people to try them at a party or family gathering, it can incite a LOT of laughs. Here are some of my favorite tricks. FYI: I can’t do a lot of these, but manage to amuse all of my friends when I try. 1. Ankle Throw Use a hacky-sack, Nerf ball or other fairly small, soft object and try to toss it … Continue reading →