Frozen Fountain Tag

Yet another variation on the classic childhood game of “Tag.”

AGES: 3+

PLAYERS: 2+

NEEDED: One large ball (soccer ball, kick ball, etc) a group of kids, and (some) room to run.

GAME RULES: To begin the game everyone starts together in the middle of the yard or the field.  The player who is “IT” (choose however you like) begins the game by throwing the ball straight up in the air.  The ball should go at least 10-20 feet up (decide with all players what you think is appropriate based on age).

As soon as the ball is thrown all the other players scatter and run.  When the player who is “IT” catches the ball they yell out “Freeze!” Everyone must stop immediately.  Without moving from the spot where it was caught, the ball is then rolled at any of the other players.

If it touches any part of that player they are now “IT” and play continues with the new person picking up the ball, throwing it (at which all players run again), catching and calling out.  IF the player misses, they must go pick up the ball and repeat the process.

GAME NOTES: The player who is it may throw the ball at an angle as long as it still goes up high enough before coming down.  The person who is “IT” may not yell out “Freeze!” until the ball is caught.  If they drop the ball they must chase it, pick it up, and then and only then call out “Freeze!”  Any player who moves in any way trying to avoid the ball is automatically “IT.”

This game is best if played in large groups in a relatively small yard or field.  Obstacles like trees and other people are also a lot of fun!

DESIGNER’S NOTES: Many thanks to Wil, Derek, and Myles who spent many hours in granny’s backyard playtesting this with me so many years ago.  Too bad I don’t have any of the photos left for blackmail!

Pencil Dice

What follows is not a full-fledged game, but a game related idea that you may appreciate. (Or not …)

Lately I’ve been playing a lot of the good old game books of yesteryear.  Fighting Fantasy, Middle Earth Quest, etc … you name it – I’ve probably played it!  These little game books are one of my all-time favourite ways of spending my down-time while on summer holidays.  All you need is the book, a scrap of paper and a pencil and one or two dice.  But that’s the draw-back isn’t it?  Who carries around a set of dice with them all the time?  Who hasn’t lost a die or two in their day?   Some books have random number generators built in but none are as much fun as rolling the dice, and some are just plain awkward.  If only there was a more elegant solution …

Well now there is!

Try this out for yourself.  Take a good old fashioned pencil – orange with six sides (like you will need to play the game anyway) and put the numbers 1-6 around one end of it.  It doesn’t really matter in what order, just so long as each face of the pencil only has one number on it.  Now whenever your game book needs dice rolling just use the pencil instead.  Roll the pencil and read the number that faces up.

Do it to all your pencils and you will never be without a d6 ever again!  Results may vary for those who tend to chew their pencils.

Waiting At Tables

OK … So this isn’t a picture of the game itself. It’s me and my brother eating poutine in Ottawa. I hadn’t even invented this game when the picture was taken. But you can bet that if I had we would have been even happier than you see us here! (Yikes) Waiting at tables is actually a series of little games designed to pretty much just waste time!

Ages: 7+

Players: 2 (or 2 teams)

Interesting features: No more trying to come up with new and interesting things to say while you wait for your food and no more awkward silences! (this game is a real marriage saver! ) Just be prepared for a lot of fun and strange looks from everyone around you!

Extras Needed: Only whatever you have in front of you on the table (or you can have your wife carry around extra sugar packets in her purse … just in case there’s not enough)

DOWNLOAD:

WAITING AT TABLES

Printing Suggestions: Print a copy of the rules on EACH side of an 8.5X11″ sheet of paper. Cut it in half and you now have 2 copies of the rules! (It’s like magic) Why not give one to a friend or leave one with your server (CAUTION: you will also want to leave a healthy sized tip if you decide to do the latter).

Designer’s Notes: This past year my wife and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. What I have learned is that sometimes you run out of things to say to one another. Like when you’re waiting for your food in a restaurant. My wife doesn’t mind sitting in silence (many times I’m sure she would prefer it to some of the things I go on about), but I need to be doing something. One evening we were in just such a situation while in a local eatery. I started playing around with all the different stuff on the table. “There’s gotta be a game in all of this somewhere.” I said to myself. “That’s nice dear,” she absently replied. “Now shush!”