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Cool Funny Games to Play

An Internet search invariably reveals that the coolest and funniest games nowadays are popularly thought to be the video variety in which the player activates an array of buttons and switches to manipulate some digital protagonist. However, the argument can be made that the coolest, funniest games involve physical participation and employ common household items as game pieces. You don't have to purchase expensive electronics to enjoy these games. But knowledge of them is in danger of fading into history.

Games of Our Forebears
- A photo of an archaic game played by Mormon children shows them rolling a metal hoop with a wooden stick which accompanied a New York Times story about the Mormons' westward trek in the 1840s. A tour guide dressed in historic garb, demonstrates this game at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City. History has much to teach us about cool, funny games.
Physical Humor
- Lots of games nowadays are cool, but not really funny. In fact, many "cool" video games can be quite violent and focus on combat or martial arts themes. The old games that involve physical prowess are both cool and funny. Fun-filled might be a more apt description.
Hide the Thimble
- One cool, funny game that my grandmother taught me in my childhood was Hide the Thimble. It is a variation on Hide and Seek. One contestant leaves the room. The others hide the thimble in some open location in the room. Ideal hiding spots are just behind another object or in a place where the thimble blends in with surrounding items. The contestant returns and tries to locate the thimble with the aid of "hot" and "cold" instructions. For example, if the contestant moves toward the object, the directions may go from "hot" to "hotter" to "burning up."
Spoon Relay
- Another game more suitable for adult parties is the spoon relay. The materials needed are two tablespoons and two lengths of strong twine. One end of the twine is tied to the handle of the spoon just below the scoop. Two teams of about seven contestants each stand in facing lines. The twine should be about twice as long as the line formed by each team. At the word "go," the first players push the spoon, handle first, down into their shirts through the collar opening. The idea is to continue to push the spoon on down through your shirt and one leg of your pants until it emerges into the open. Of course, the twine also will be threaded through your clothing. The spoon is then passed to the next relay team member who does likewise. The first team to thread the spoon through all the members' clothing until it comes out the last pant leg wins the relay.
  One word of caution. Do not play this game if you are wearing a dress.

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