It’s a “games optional” sort of party. I like games, but I’ve been to enough orientations/retreats/camps/etc to know that not everybody shares my enthusiasm. I figure if we get a game of kickball started, that’s one thing, but I’m not going to be all “gather round! it’s time to play a game!” … more like I just want things to be available.
It’s going to be in a park, probably in a covered picnic area with a grill and certainly lots of space. If it’s too cold or if it rains or something, we may come back to the house (in which case I’d have to figure out something else fun so that people aren’t just sitting around wishing the weather were better) but hopefully that won’t happen.
Part of me is considering some crafty stuff like bringing t-shirts and fabric paints or tie die or something but I’m a little worried that might be too Girl Scouts for my friends. I’m sort of trying to figure out how much stuff I can get away with having “for the kids” that people will play with anyway… because “come to my party, there will be arts and crafts” is a little fourth grade, but that stuff is still fun.
Some good ideas here- I’ve never heard of cornhole before. I don’t have a wii but I think my sister has nintendo 64 (I know, old school.) and that might be fun times if we end up indoors.
For those who think we’re talking about sodomy here, “cornhole” is a game much like horseshoes, but without 70 lbs of metal flying through the air.
Two 2-person teams pair up on opposite-facing boards and take turns tossing 4 beanbags (per team) at a 2’x4’ inclined board with a hole in it. 3 points per bag in the hole, 1 point for a bag on the board. Points from each team cancel out (Red scores five, Blue scores one = 4 for Red). You play to 21.
There are local custom rules and such, but those are the basics. Regionally, I think if you know what euchre is, you know what cornhole is (Michigan/Ohio/Indiana).
Also, please don’t buy those crappy plastic boards from the sporting goods store. Find someone local who makes them from actual wood. You can find a decent set for ~$50, and they go up (and up and up and up) from there.
You might know it better as beanbags, or just “bags”. It seems to be the game of choice in the last few years, and anybody can do it. Sometimes we get the kids involved as bag retrievers. Not necessary, but some of them like to feel included.
Drinking and cards, dominos, or various Wii party games are always good, for the smaller parties. Medium and big sized parties (10+ people) it is hard to do any ONE thing really. Several activities are always good.
As a Caveat; the only parties I’ve been too are college drinkfests or small 6-8 people parties. I can’t imagine trying to play cards with 20 people.
