Hobbies And Interests
Oldies but Goodies
Old-fashioned games like tug-of-war and potato sack races are tried-and-true favorites. Another classic is the egg relay, where team members take turns racing a course while balancing an egg on a spoon held between their teeth. Zig-Zagging through an obstacle course makes this game more challenging, as does mixing in old Mother-May-I commands such as "Walk backward" or "Walk like a duck."
Wacky Relays
Adding props and imitations to a relay can add to the excitement. One example is "spider racing," an eight-legged relay where each team has extra legs created from two pairs of tights. The legs are stuffed and attached to a Velcro belt. Each racer ties the extra four "legs" to his waist and crab walks, belly up, the planned course. When his turn is complete, he removes the belt and gives it to the next teammate. Scattering the course with fake cobwebs, available at most party stores, for the "spiders" to crawl across makes this game an even more fun web to weave.
Water Games
"Scuba scavenger" is a diving game where teams explore the pool bottom for riches, which is anything small and sinkable. Coins often are used and the team that gathers the most within a designated amount of time wins the game. "Duck races" is a wacky-quacky pool relay where team members take turns pushing a rubber duck through the water with their noses. For landlocked water fun, "water limbo" only requires a garden hose to make a straight stream of water that is gradually lowered as team members attempt to go under it. The team with the last person standing wins.
All for One Games
"Through the hoop" is featured by disneyfamilyfun.com as a teamwork game even though participants don't split into teams. The entire group makes a human ring by gathering in a circle and holding hands. Without breaking the chain, they use heads, necks, torsos, legs and feet to wriggle a hula-hoop completely around the circle. "Helium stick" is another group game and requires players to hold a long stick lengthwise above their heads. Using only their fingertips, they try lowering the stick to the ground.
Indoor Games
There are many indoor competitions that won't threaten pictures or scuff the floors. One is a house of cards challenge where each team uses a standard deck of cards to construct a tabletop house. Team charades is another indoor activity and encourages creativity by having each team act out the titles of books, pop songs, movies or television shows.