Being a Kid is fun!

Before the days of computers and gaming stations, children were obliged to make their own entertainment. This wasn’t a hardship as we didn’t know any different.

Many of us spent our childhoods outside (even when it was raining); riding bikes, climbing trees and generally having fun while working up an appetite for dinner…

However, during longer winter evenings, without a TV or the internet, we found other sources of amusement. These came with very simple materials and often very simple rules.

How about a game of Blow Football?

You need two players and a table top unless you’re feeling really agile and can play on the floor. It’s much more fun on a table though.

As well as two players you will need four goal post markers. These could be bottles of nail varnish perhaps. Make sure the lids are tightly screwed on! And of course a ball. This game was played many years ago with a tuft of cotton.

A cotton wool ball would do, or a screwed up tissue. As long as it will roll a little and isn’t too heavy to blow, improvise as much as you like!

When the whistle blows or someone calls ‘GO!’ players blow the ball and try to score in their opponent’s goal. You can also use drinking straws to blow the ball. The first player to ten goals is the winner. Players mustn’t touch the ball at all with any part of their body.

*Those little fluffy craft balls work well as ‘footballs’ and can be found in most craft outlets and discount shops.

*Recently I crocheted a game of blow football!

Yes, you read that right.

Finding the fun in everything you do is probably the first rule of thumb. (Getting a Mary Poppins flashback here) A sulky child who won’t play needs another approach maybe, but when they see the fun to be had, most children will gladly join in.

Note: It may be a good idea to exaggerate the fun at first if you come up against resistance. 🙂

Many games can be played outside as well as inside, depending on the weather of course.

So let’s go. Pencil, paper and marbles away… Before signing off I must include this quote from George Bernard Shaw that kind of says it all really.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”

Have Fun!
Linda x

P.S. The blow football game is just one of 30 games you could be playing now without getting out your credit card and sometimes not even getting out of your chair!

Family Games

Indoor Family Games to play at home or away, and mostly for FREE!

This is the fun stuff that children got up to before the days of computers. Bring the whole family together with a fun idea and the little darlings may even switch off the computer game voluntarily!

Using everyday items, and sometimes none at all, all 31 games are played without plugs, batteries or chargers.

Pure and natural resources – imagination, creativity and a little energy – help develop life skills while having fun.

Finding the kid in you keeps you young, and, of course, you get to spend quality time with the children without having to dig out the credit card. Just about every game can be adjusted to suit the age and number of players.

Enjoy a whole month of rainy day games you can also play in the sunshine!

Choose from your favourite online bookstore

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