The unofficial start of summer has arrived. And after our long cold winter, it’s not a moment too soon. Still, there will be long hot days when the inevitable, “I’m bored!” will ring through the house. So it’s time to get busy making fun summer games that will provide many hours of outdoor activity during the dog days of summer. Of course, there are games available at the stores, but why not create your own, with readily available (and inexpensive!) materials you can find around the house and outside. While creating something uniquely their own, kids are also gaining valuable skills and a measure of self-sufficiency…so perhaps the next time they are tempted to repeat the old “I’m bored” refrain, they may instead decide to scrounge around for materials and get busy making some of their own fun.
This game was invented long ago by Native North Americans who knew that the ability to hit a moving target could mean the difference between having dinner and going hungry. By practicing their aiming and throwing skills when they were relaxed and well fed, the first Americans helped ensure their continued hunting success. For us now it can simply be a new way to sharpen our eye-hand coordination while enjoying a new pastime outdoors. Beyond home, this game can also be prepared and played on a camping trip or during an afternoon at the river.
You’ll need:
~ A circular plastic lid at least 6 inches across (like the Nancy’s large tub yogurt lids)
~ Scissors
~ A large, empty net bag (like the kind onions come in)
~ Twist ties
~ A thin, branched twig approx. 6 inches long
~ A utility or camping knife (use with adult assistance)
~ Modeling clay
~ Feathers or lightweight ribbon (optional for decoration)
To begin, use scissors to cut the center out of the plastic lid so that all you have left is a 5/8 (1.5 cm) plastic rim. This is the frame of your hoop. Next slip the net bag over your hoop and cut the open end of the bag with scissors so that the netting barely extends beyond the hoop. Then stretch and tighten the net bag all around the hoop and secure the bag to the hoop with twist ties. You’ll have to fold and roll the edges of the open end of the net bag toward the hoop until the fold lies along the rim and then tie it down (adult assistance is helpful here). Now flatten the twist ties against the plastic rim. Your hoop should now be covered tidily with netting so that the hoop can roll smoothly on its side. Next, with an adult’s help, trim your twig down to two or three branches. Cut the tip straight across cleanly with a knife. Avoid a sharp point as this can be dangerous. Then roll a small ball of clay and stick it on the cut end of the twig. The clay ball should be much smaller than the holes in the net bag. Finally, if desired, attach feathers or small ribbons to the ends of the branches on the twig with twist ties.
To play the game, one player rolls the hoop across the ground and the other tries to throw the arrow into it. The players take turns seeing who can put the arrow closest to the center of the net. As you improve your skills, stand farther and farther back and see how you do.
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