Picnic time is here again
EVERYBODY in the family loves a picnic, eating al-fresco with all sorts of goodies.
National Picnic Week from June 16-25, aims to get as many people as possible out and enjoying the great outdoors.
And, while we can’t bank on the weather, we can bank on having a great time if we go equipped, not just with a basket or cool box full of food and drink, but with ideas and games to occupy the younger – and older – people present.
FUN PICNIC MAT
KEEPING the kids occupied has never been simpler, as you can now get interactive picnic mats. The kids can have endless fun playing snakes and ladders and other games while you enjoy – hopefully – the sunshine.
APP GAMES
IT’S always fun to play charades and you can now get loads of apps for your phone. A popular choice is Heads Up where you have to guess the name, place or phrase on the phone by the clues your friends give you.
PIE-EATING CONTEST
LINE them up on your picnic blankets/tables and have your participants clasp their own hands behind their backs.
These pies must be eaten in the messiest way! You could also work in teams of two to make things faster.
Have one person chow down on the pies while the other takes care of the mess and the handling of the pies.
Be clear on your rules, however. Eliminate people from cheating by “smooshing”. This is when a player makes their pie look like it’s been eaten by smooshing it onto their faces and the table… apparently.
FRISBEE, CRICKET, ROUNDERS….
JUST because you’re having a picnic doesn’t mean your bum should be glued to the blanket. Get up and play a game, whether it’s Frisbee or bat n’ ball fun.
BLANKET VOLLEYBALL
TURN those picnic blankets into a fun game. Divide into two teams and use two blankets to launch a ball from one team to the other, just like volleyball.
PLAY ‘I’M GOING ON A PICNIC…’
EVERYONE sits down in a circle, and one person starts off by saying “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing _____”.
The next person repeats the phrase, but has to remember the first person’s item as well as say their own. Continue going round, with each person adding an object until people start forgetting. The winner is whoever remembers the most.
SKITTLES
YOU’VE taken a ball, now you can use your empty bottles or cans to play skittles. Just don’t forget to put them in the bin afterwards…