Hobbies And Interests
Scavenger Hunt
There are myriad ways to conduct a scavenger hunt. For example, buy a dozen or so toy cheap toys at the dollar store and stash them around the yard. Provide the players (you can break them into teams) with clues as to the locations of the toys. An alternative is to keep the game organic, and even cheaper, and provide a list of objects that must be found, such as "five-pointed leaf," "purple flower" or "round rock."
Beanbag Toss
Create a homemade beanbag toss game. Find a large box (not too tall) and turn it upside down. Cut holes into the box and mark point values with a marker. Create beanbags by sewing together scraps of material and stuffing with some craft beads. Place the box on the ground--hole side up--and have the kids stand 10 to 15 feet or so away and toss the bags. See how many points they can accumulate by tossing the bags through the holes.
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is a popular attraction at the annual Major League Baseball All-Star game. Hold your own at home using a plastic ball and bat. Mark off a home plate and designate a home run area, such as a fence or hedge. Each batter gets 10 swings per at-bat. After three at-bats, the player with the most homers wins. (Note: Pitchers shouldn't try to "strike out" batters, but rather toss the ball slowly over the plate.)
Giant Marbles
Collect as many large balls as you can: basketballs, soccer balls, beach balls and volleyballs. Create a large circle with a rope about 10 to 12 feet in diameter and place the balls in the center. Each player gets one ball to use as a "shooter." The player stands 10 feet from the rope and rolls his shooter into the ring attempting to knock the balls outside the circle without his own ball leaving the ring. If successful, he keeps the balls he knocked out and gets to go again. When all the balls are knocked out, the player with the most balls wins.