Picnic Games

Picnic Games

If you’re looking for some alternative picnic games–in lieu of lugging out the volleyball net, lawn jarts and horseshoes-then here are some real goodies for you. Don’t get me wrong. I love the old-fashion fare when it comes to picnic games. But for once, wouldn’t it be more fun to stand out in the crowd of summer cookouts?

Toss the Egg

A little messy…but a whole lot of fun! How does it work? Simple. You need two people and one raw egg (no cheating with the hardboiled). The two game players stand facing each other hand-to-hand. To start, pass the egg to the other player. Obviously, this is easy at first. After the egg has been passed, each player takes one giant step back. Hmmm…no more passing now…it’s time to gently toss the egg to your partner underhand. By the way, you may want to remove any rings. If the eggshell hits it..well…the yoke will be on you! The process continues until-you guessed it-someone misses the egg.

The one who misses catching the egg is out and the one who is the winner moves on to the finals. Each pair takes a turn. Then the winners pair-up to see who the grand winner is and who truly was eggcellent!

Balloon Bust

For those with an extra amount of hot air-this one is for you. You’ll need a fairly decent-sized group to maximize your fun. Each person blows-up balloon. To determine the size of the balloon and to ensure that everyone gets a fair shake, take some string a cut a piece that measure 18″. Each player should get one. When they inflate the balloon the string should snugly wrap around the middle of it. So, go ahead blow-up your balloon and then tie-it. Next, take your tied balloon and place it in the center of your string and tie the balloon to the string.

You should have equal parts of string on both sides. Better make a double not in the string so it doesn’t get loose. Now, take both sides of the string and tie them around your right ankle. Yup-lefties too…sorry. In an open space, all the players scatter. On the ready-set-go, each player tries to stomp on the balloons of the other players and bust them. As you probably guessed, the last player who has their balloon will be sure to have an inflated ego. Congratulations!

Buried Treasure Seek

This is a great game to use as a finale. You’ll need some preparation for this one and it’ll cost you a little. Here’s how it works.

You will need a significant mound of sawdust. We’re talking big! You’ll need enough to create a 5′ tall by 5′ at the base mound. Go to your local lumber yard or tree care center. They’ll probably be glad to give it away for free. Be sure to take some large garbage bags to collect it. Next, you’ll need loose change–2 Rolls of Quarters, 2 Rolls of Dimes, 2 Rolls of Nickels and 2 Rolls of Pennies. Unwrap all of the coins and put them combined into a large bowl. Now, take those garbage bags full of sawdust and start mixing in the coins. Try to get an even amount in the number of bags you have. You can always increase the size of your mound and amount of your coins, should you wish. Time for the game!

In a large, soft area, pour out the contents of all your bags into a heaping mound. Have all the players make a circle around the pile. Ask everyone to take four giant steps back. On “ready-set-go” everyone charges to the pile and begins searching for coins! You may want to brief the players not to elbow or steal from each other. The coins must be held in each players hand-no pockets-cups, etc. The players will have 5 minutes to collect the most coins possible. All the players get to keep the coins that they find. However, the one that has the most coins (not that total the most) gets a grand prize of your choice! Of course, the players can go back after the game has ended and search for any remaining buried treasures.