As anyone who is tasked to manage a large group knows, keeping that many people entertained can be a real challenge. This is made even more difficult when the group is not familiar with each other. Whether you are planning a party with a bunch of friends, or leading group exercises for a corporate retreat, icebreakers are key to a successful evening! Below are 5 of our favorite large group icebreakers to warm up your group.
The Shoe Game
This is a simple icebreaker to get a large group mingling and talking to one another. Ask the participants to take off their right shoe and toss it into a big pile in the middle of the room. Participants are then asked to pick up a shoe from the pile and find the owner! Once they find the owner, they must stand next to them. The end result is the group collaborating to form a large circle.
In a group setting, most people will gravitate to those they already know. When organizing an event with lots of people, getting to know someone new can be awkward or uncomfortable. The Shoe Game motivates people to get out of their comfort zone and meet someone new! Give a couple of prompting questions for those in the group to ask their shoe partner if conversations seem strained.
Celebrity Heads
This is a fun icebreaker that is very simple to organize. To begin, write the names of different celebrities on post-it notes. Place a post-it note on the forehead of each participant without them seeing the name of the celebrity. The participants will then be told to mingle and ask “yes or no” questions of other participants to figure out which celebrity is on their forehead. They are only allowed to ask a single question of each person they talk to. The first few participants to correctly guess their celebrity win a prize!
Not only is this game simple, and very easy to set up and explain, but the time you spend on this game is highly adaptable to your needs. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can set a quick timer to signal when to switch to a new person. If you want your group to spend more time with one another, you could skip the timer and add other clever rules.
Organize Without Speaking
This is a simple game that tests the collaborative skills of participants. Ask them to arrange themselves in a line ordered by their birth year or another time-based prompt. The only catch — they can’t speak, they have to use hand signals! Participants will have to organize themselves and pay attention to the signs from other people in the group. This is also a fantastic way to observe the group and get a feel for the individual dynamics. Take not of who takes charge. Pay attention to the ones who seem especially skilled or scattered. If you are worried about a long uncomfortable silence, you can always play some jaunty background music!
This ice breaker is a great way to encourage quick thinking and team building. Use this at your next corporate retreat, or your next family reunion! Quickly overcome any icebreaker-awkwardness with this quick thinking game.
True or False Running
This is a great icebreaker for energetic groups of young people.
Have the group stand in the middle of the room. Place a marker on the right side of the room and on the left side of the room. Nominate the right side as the “true” side and the left side as the “false”.
The facilitator then asks a series of true or false questions of the participants. They could include questions like “Small dogs live longer than big dogs” or “The capital of Australia is Sydney”. Participants then have to choose true or false for the answer. If they get the answer right they are given a token or their score is recorded on a scoreboard. After twenty icebreaker questions, the person with the most points wins a prize!
This one can also be made with more personal questions to help the group get a better idea of those around them. You could say phrases like, “I am married” “This is my first time at ____” or “I have been out of the country.” This might just prompt some side conversations and give the people in your group a starting off point for a fun meet and greet.
Simon Says
Sometimes the silly games that you played as a child can bring back some great memories! The facilitator rapidly yells “Simon says” orders to participants to get them moving. Remember that participants should only do what the facilitator says when he includes “Simon says” in the request! Shout the commands rapidly to see if the participants are paying attention and thinking quickly.
If you wanted to really spice things up, you could offer a prize to the last person who remains uneliminated! This game might not be what you are looking for as a “get to know you game”, but it certainly is an icebreaker!
Collecting Autographs
Here is an icebreaker for an especially large group of people. It’s fast paced, fun, and great at getting a group warmed up. Best of all, its easy!
Participants are given a worksheet that includes 20 questions on it. They must find other participants who answer yes to that question. Participants will then sign their name next to the question. Participants can only sign once per sheet, so people must walk around the room to find 20 different people to answer “yes” and sign their worksheet.
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Through cooperative games kids learn to think and work with one another as they apply skills learned to accomplish the goals of their group or team. These games are always fun to develop and play and have the effect of bringing children together. While competitive games focus a lot on losing or winning, cooperative games are all about the success of the whole team. They give all children involved a chance to be winners.
What’s in a Name?
(for kids in grades 1-3)
While kids at any age or grade can play the game, there’ll be variations. For kids in grade one through three this game is effective to help them bond together at the start of a new school year or term. In this cooperative game the pupils are grouped in pairs or with partners where one has to talk about the surname or first name of their partner. It starts with one of the two in a pair telling the other what their name is and its meaning. After sharing names and meaning, the kids should be allowed to share a little more about their names. Kids should be encouraged to talk about their unique names, how they are spelled, whether they hold any special symbolism, why they were given the name, the meaning of the name in other cultures/languages and whom they were named after.
One individual should tell all this information in two minutes before allowing the other to do the same. They should be encouraged to pay as much attention as possible throughout the game. After the two have shared names, two pairs should be joined together to form a team of four kids; each partner in a pair has to introduce their partner to the other pair until everyone knows each other. Kids should be encouraged to tell as much as possible about the name of their partner.
Players work together to get the creatures safely home before Max the cat gets them
Children learn to use logic, consultation and cooperative decision making in an exciting way
For 1 to 8 players ages 4 through 7 years
A cooperative game available for sale, it’s great for kids 4-7 years of age and accommodates 1-8 players. The kids have to learn to work as a team to ensure the creatures have arrived home safely before they are attacked by Max the ferocious cat. The game calls upon the mind of the kids to make cooperative decisions, consult and use logic in the most exciting ways. It’s made using child safe paints, water-based glues, soy-based inks, recycled papers and boards.
Capture the Flag
Among elementary kids Capture the Flag is one of the most popular games. In this game the idea is to have players from one side making way into the territory of the opposing team to take their flag and make way back to their own space without being tagged in the process. Pylons and a flag are required materials and best played outdoors. It can be played for 10 to 15 minutes every time or until a given team/group has accomplished a specific score. In the game the playground is divided into two with each team on either side. The kids need to create two teams, each team on their zone. Every team should have a flag, made from a light material such as fabric and easy to carry around by one kid. Each flag has to be placed at the back of the zone of every team where it’s visible to the opposing side. On a part of their zone each team should create a ‘jail’. The game starts by having all kids lining up at the periphery of their area.
Once a whistle is blown they should go to the zone of their opposing side and try to take their flag while avoiding being tagged. Those tagged while in the opposing side’s zone are put in the jail and only get out if tagged by a teammate. If the flag is taken and ferried to the other zone next to the other team’s flag the team has either scored some points or won. However, the rule of the game is that while defending their flag a team cannot remain standing around to guard it. The defending team has to be a minimum of five meters from the flag at any time.
This award winner is a cooperative game for 2-4 children from five years old and above. It offers a chance for kids to lean the art of strategy, grid mathematical concepts and critical social development tenets and skills with zero reading needed. The game involves players working as a team to reach the treasure before the ogre by developing a path from the beginning right to the end. If the kids are successful the victory is celebrated as a team. The game has a Play Advances Learning approval seal and won the Oppenheim Portfolio Toy Platinum award.
15 Seconds
One of the most entertaining and fun way of letting kids know about one another, this cooperative game helps everyone to learn how to think fast on their feet. You only need a list with specific questions and a timer. Essentially, every kid should sit down, forming a circle. A question is picked and every person has to answer it within 15 seconds. Everyone has to be silent and if a kid answers early the person manning the timer should read out the remaining seconds.
The questions can be favorite food, favorite movies, favorite pet animal, what you do every Sunday or Saturday morning, and favorite color among others. In case you’re handling a huge group, break the kids into groups of six. You can also have a long list of questions and have one person answering their own unique question. Make the game fun by asking the kid who has just spoken to choose the next person and the question they’re to answer.
A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
US President
Human Knot Game
To play this game, divide players into teams, and have each team form a circle. Instruct players to hold hands with two different players, making sure that no one’s hands are joined with their closest neighbors’. Once this is done, start the game to signal that it’s time for the “knot” to begin unraveling. All hands must remain joined until the team is standing in a circle, or in two intertwined circles (Life a figure eight). Here is a link to some step by step instructions on how to set up the game.
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You want your family to go on a picnic together. The weather is lovely, there is nothing on the TV and you have managed to drag the kids off the computer games. How can you make sure your picnic is memorable?
Here are some ideas:
Have a picnic in your back garden.
There is no need to travel. Just throw down a blanket and decorate with balloons and throw around some cushions. This is quick and a clever way to grab an hour or two with your kids.
Ban all devices and just sit and talk as a family for a short amount of time.
Have your picnic on a boat.
Take a boat to the middle of a river or lake and eat as a family as you bob about on the current. There is nothing more calming than being in the middle of a body of water. Also, Dad will become an expert in currents and how to get the most out of the boat – which can be funny to watch.
Encourage the Kids to Organize the Food!
Give them the freedom of the kitchen and the picnic basket. Leave when they tell you they are happy with what they have made for you all to eat… potentially a disaster… always interesting. I would suggest this might not be the option if you are trying to control the calories. There is likely to be a strong emphasis on cake, chocolate and crisps… but you know you have taken this option because you want to have a day of eating this stuff too.
Colorful Jars of Food.
Cut up different fruit and vegetables as brightly colored as you can and fill up jars with a good variety. These jars look awesome and are excellent to dip into as you are eating the picnic. It really is an interesting way of getting kids to eat healthier and it keeps the food fresh and easily protected from the wildlife.
Make a Campfire.
Make yourself a camp fire… even though you are not camping you still want to roast marshmallows and bake potatoes at the base of the fire. It also lovely to sit and watch as the light dims. It will keep people out talking late into the night. Make sure you dig a pit to build the fire it and ensure that it is completely doused with water before you leave.
The Snack that Smiles Back!
Give all your picnic foods faces… when you are making your sandwiches and cakes use salad and fruit to give all the food eyes, a nose and a mouth. You could make it a competition to see who can make the funniest of faces and maybe give food names… it gets a bit brutal when you start chomping down.
Hide Mini Treasures
Hide mini treasure in amongst the food so that people find surprises as they eat. I wouldn’t put these things in the food, otherwise the dentist will be busy, but in the packets. People will have moments of excitement or feel special, even if it is just a little love note.
Sit and Talk
Just sit and talk and eat slowly. This shouldn’t be unique… but in today’s world eating slowly and gently chatting is as rare as it comes. Sit quietly and enjoy each other’s company.
Dinner and a movie, forget that, I'd rather have a picnic and a waterfall
Swimming is a fantastic way to get fit! It is a physical activity that works every muscle group in the body, improving both strength and endurance. Swimming is also a low impact activity. If you have weak knees or ankles, you will find swimming much better than other workouts like running.
Other benefits of swimming include:
It’s a great stress reliever and a very relaxing way to exercise
Swimming will greatly improve your cardiovascular fitness
It burns a lot of calories!
Your muscles will become toned and your posture will improve
It can improve your balance and coordination
Swimming is a fantastic way to exercise in summer when it can be too hot to work out in other ways
Because swimming is low impact, it is ideal for people with injuries
To help you get started, this article will share some fantastic swimming workouts for beginners!
Some General Tips Before Starting
Before you “dive in” here are some general tips for beginners.
Make sure you have a basic level of swimming before attempting a workout.
Swim in a safe environment like a swimming pool. Only swim in the ocean if you are an experienced and fit swimmer.
Don’t overdo it early on. Swimming takes a lot of effort, particularly if you are not used to it.
Warm up before entering the water
Remember to stay hydrated by drinking water
Short Freestyle Distance Intervals
This basic workout involves swimming freestyle for short distances with breaks. Start out by swimming 25 yards at a time, with a rest period of 30 seconds between each lap. Beginners should swim at a slow to medium pace initially.
You may benefit from using breaths instead of counting seconds. Perform a lap, then count to 20 breaths before starting the next lap. This will also encourage you to really use your entire lung capacity while taking your interval break.
Depending on your initial level of fitness, swim between 10 to 15 minutes when first performing freestyle intervals. Once you are comfortable swimming 25 yards, extend the length of your interval to 50 or 75 yards and extend the time you spend swimming. Record your personal best distances and speeds!
Using a KickBoard
If you are not confident enough to swim 25-yard intervals, there are a number of workouts you can perform with a kickboard and flippers. These workouts will help you practice kicking, putting your face underwater, and breathing correctly.
Perform your stretches to start, then swim 25 yards on your side. Hold onto the kick-board with a straight arm and rest your head on that arm. The other arm should be straight down your side. Have a rest, then perform another 25 yards on your other side.
Then, perform 50 yards holding onto the kickboard with both hands and looking into the water. Turn your head to breathe, using both sides. This exercise will get you used to kicking and breathing alternately.
Once you have started to perform intervals well, you can begin to swim longer distances. Endurance swimming will help improve your muscle tone and stamina.
Start by performing a few warm up stretches. Jump into the pool and swim 250 yards at a slow pace. Take your time and concentrate on your form. Take a 20 seconds (or 20 breaths) break. Then swim for another 150 yards and take another 20-second break. Finally, swim for another 50 yards.
If these distances are too long or too short, alter them to a comfortable distance. Eventually work your way up to 500 yards or longer. Always keep a steady pace and think about your technique — it is not about speed, it’s about how long you can swim.
BREASTSTROKE and Freestyle Medley
By combining these two strokes, you can give yourself a more thorough, full-body workout. Freestyle will really push your shoulders, while breaststroke will emphasize your chest muscles.
1
Start with 50 yards of freestyle at a slow pace to prepare your body.
2
Perform 4 x 25 yard intervals of freestyle, counting the number of stroke it takes you to perform each interval. Aim to have the same amount of strokes per interval. Afterwards, have a break of 30 seconds if you need it.
3
Perform 4 x 50 yard intervals of breast stroke with 30 second breaks
4
Perform 4 x 25 yard intervals of freestyle, counting the number of strokes
5
Perform 50 yards of breast stroke at a slow pace
It is a hefty beginners workout that will address many muscle groups.
Work on Your Speed!
Once you have achieved a basic level of fitness in the pool, you might be interested in seeing how fast you can go! You can perform this workout using any type of swimming stroke.
1
Perform your stretches and swim 50 yards at a slow pace
2
Swim 2 sets of 25 yards at a medium-fast pace to get your body ready
3
Swim 6 x 25 yards at fast pace. In between each 25 yards, take a full 60-120 seconds to recuperate. Count your strokes per lap and check your times!
4
Swim 4 x 25 yards to cool down
Working on Your Form
Maintaining correct form while swimming is crucial. Proper form will ensure you are using the right parts of your body while swimming and maintaining maximum efficiency. This workout is for freestyle and uses a pull buoy — a floatation device that swimmers place between their legs to give them additional buoyancy. The pull buoy allows you to swim without kicking your legs and helps you to concentrate on your arms.
1
Perform your stretches and swim 2 x 25 yards to warm up
2
Using the pull buoy, swim 2 x 25 yards only using your right arm for momentum. Keep your left arm straight in front of your body. Concentrate on your shoulder rotation, pitch of your arm and the shape of your hand.
3
Using the pull buoy, swim 2 x 25 yards using both arms. Concentrate on the position of your body in the water.
4
Using the pull buoy, swim 2 x 25 yards only using your right arm for momentum
5
Using a kickboard, swim 2 x 25 yards kicking only
6
Swim 2 x 25 yards as a cool down
Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit. Regularity is the key — if you have 4 to 5 workouts per week you will be amazed by the changes that happen to your body!
This last year has been full of surprises! The biggest surprise was just how much time we would be spending at home and with our families. You have probably been thinking of some fun ways to keep your kids entertained. Besides some fun scavenger hunts, or other indoor or outdoor games, let me suggest a couple of new board games for you and your family to try! There are a ton of board games out there, and knowing which ones will be a hit can be a gamble. Luckily, my friends and I have tried a ton of games released in 2021 and made a list of our favorites!
#5: Juicy Fruits
Juicy Fruits Board Game Box
Number five on my list of top board games from 2021 is the game Juicy Fruits. This game has a lot of moving parts, so you might have to play it a couple of times to get all the rules down. In this game, each player has their own Tropical Island to capitalize on. Each Island has fruits they can harvest to then use as a resource to gain points. There are multiple strategies to winning, but first you have to clear space on your board by filling orders on boats. Each boat order gives you points, so even clearing your board is one way to win!
Opposite of clearing you board is filling your board. Each player has their own Island, but there is a shared “Market” where you can buy vacation attractions, food booths, or other fruit baskets. Any attractions you buy are placed on your board and cannot be moved from their spot. This can make fruit harvesting a challenge, due to the games unique fruit sliding mechanic. Another way to win is to buy the moving food booths. These can be a great way to make lots of points quickly, but be careful of competition! Another island with a food booth could get all the points first!
Overall, this game is pretty fast moving and not too competitive! You spend all of your time and attention on your own island, so there isn’t much island to island competition. Because the turns can be pretty fast, unless you have planned ahead, your turn might come quicker than you expected and slow you down. Juicy Fruits is also only a four player game. Many families do not fit in that box and you might have just a few too many players in your family group. This one gets an 8/10 from me for its pure fun! I think the brightly colored and fun shaped fruit pieces really make the game, and as your family gets more advanced, there is an optional “Juicing Station” with lots of fun features.
Do you like Pirate games? I have an uncle who collects them and we have reviewed some pretty awesome Pirate board games in the past! Since this is a 2021 game, it is brand new and freshly printed!
Tiny Epic Pirates was easily my favorite, but I cant quite give it the number one spot. This game is part of a series of games. Ever heard of Tiny Epic Zombies, Dinosaurs, Galaxies? If not, I highly suggest you look into these gems as well. Tiny Epic Pirates is called Tiny & Epic for good reason. When my copy came in the mail I was shocked at the tiny box size! Even better than the box size were the tiny Pirate Ships! I have a soft spot for small things and this one called my name!
You play as a pirate! (Obvious I know.) You take your ship and pillage, fight, recruit crewmates, hideout in secret coves, and bury treasure! Each player, hereto referred to as “pirate”, starts with a captain card with a special ability and a helm card. The rules can be tricky to explain and trickier to understand, but it basically works like this: Plunder Booty from islands or from sinking merchant ships, then sell that Booty for doubloons. once you reach 12 or 13 doubloons, you have to sail to an island and bury your treasure! The game ends when the first person buries their third treasure chest.
If you love pirates, doubloons, and tiny ships, this game is definitely worth a try! When playing, I found a couple of weird rules I wasn’t crazy about, but the reason Tiny Epic Pirates doesn’t take first place is because of its difficulty. This is not a game for small kids. Even tweens might struggle. The rulebook is quite lengthy, and there are some features of this game that feel overly complicated. All that being said, this was my personal favorite and I give it a 9/10 fun rating! If you have some real board game nerds in your family and feel up to the challenge, pop Tiny Epic Pirates into your Amazon cart next time you’re looking for something interesting!
UNIQUE PIRATE GAME - Sailing a pirate ship is an adventure in and of itself, but it's just one possible...
REAL PLUNDERING EXPERIENCE - The popular board games offers plundering in a great way to acquire goods...
HIGH-END TRADING - Gamelyn's risk board game features a Black Market, which is the one place in pirate...
#3: MicroMacro Crime City
MicroMacro Crime City ranked best board game of 2021
MicrroMacro’s Crime City is one of the most surprising board games I have ever played! Crime City was created in Germany and won the most prestigious board game in the world, the Kinderspiel des Jahres award for 2021. In the board game community, that means this thing is kind of a big deal. Since winning the award, this game has been sold out all over the world. They printed more copies in September, but they were sold out in a week!
So, what makes it so great? Crime City is essentially clue and Where’s Waldo smashed together. The box comes with a 75cm x 110cm map of “Crime City.” Rightfully named, the map is covered in cartooned crimes to be solved. The characters on the map mostly resemble animals or blob shapes with bodies. The black and white cartoon nature means there are no explicit images, but there are some adult themes. Luckily, the creators of Crime City have a clear rating system on each case.
The game comes with 16 cases to be solved. Cases range from 6 to 15 cards, each asking for a new piece of the investigation. On the front card of each case, there is a title, a game length, a star difficulty rating and an icon with its rating. The instruction manual describes these ranks as either, “Accidents” or “Adult themed Crimes”. The handbook expressly recommends parents play through any adult ranked crimes to determine their playability for their children.
As a young adult, I think the couple of cases I have played through have been a ton of fun! Some are really challenging, but everyone has something to do! This game really is addicting, and MicroMacro knew what they were doing buy only having 15 cases to solve. Although there is a lot of variety in the cases, there isn’t much replayability. Which means you kind of have to stretch out the cases unless you rush out and buy the expansions.
My only other complaint is the map. It is so big, and its only glossy paper. Unless you have a large flat game-space, this thing is going on the floor. And, because everyone is leaning over the map to find the clues, wrinkles and creases are inevitable. Because it is black and white stains or spots might become a problem. Despite these shortcomings, I give it a 10/10 fun rating! There are so many surprises and the hunt for the crime is so thrilling! If you are okay with getting an expansion once a year, I highly recommend MicroMacro Crime City! And, if I haven’t convinced you, MicroMacro has a playable demo on their website here!
Welcome to Crime City, a city where crime lurks around every corner. Disastrous secrets, devious...
MicroMacro - Crime City is a cooperative detective game.
Together, the players solve 16 tricky criminal cases by determining motives, finding evidence, and...
#2: Bristol 1350
Bristol 1350 Board game pieces: picture includes the Patreon expansion
Bristol 1350 is the fourth and newest board game from Facade Games. Each game comes in a nifty Book box, and has delicate stylish pieces. Each game is historically themed, including Salem, Tortuga, and Deadwood. Bristol 1350 is themed after the Black Plague in England. It might seem a little dark, but it is actually a seriously fun party game! Unlike all the other games on this list, Bristol 1350 is a 9 player game. I’ve played this with 3 people, 4 people, and 7 people. Seven was easily the most fun!
Each player chooses a color peg. Then the each peg is placed inside one of three colored carts. Each round, 6 dice are rolled. The color on the dice represents how many spaces that colored cart can move. The symbol, either a rat or an apple, represents whether or not you have to “mingle.” This gets into the main theme of the game: get past the finish-line and don’t catch the plague! You also can’t have any infected people in your cart either. The whole game is a matter of avoiding the sick, and moving your cart.
Well, what happens when you get sick? That might just be the best part! In Bristol 1350, when you get sick, your win scenario changes. Now, you win when you infect everybody or if you cross the finish-line and make an noninfected person.
It’s a game of poker facing and sabotage. Its fight for yourself until you get sick, then its fight to destroy everyone else. I give this about a 5/10 for four or less players, but a 10/10 fun rating with six or more! I don’t have enough friends to play a 9 player game, but I bet anything it would be a ton of fun! It is very stylistic, and the rules are simple. The game is fast paced, and can be extended if you wanted longer play. But the coolest bonus: the awesome Book Box makes it great for storage.
BRISTOL 1350: The dreaded Black Death has descended upon Bristol and you need to escape! To win, be on...
SOLO & PARTY GAME MODES: Bristol 1350 is a light strategy and social deduction game for 1-9 players ages...
CONTENTS: 1 magnetic book box, 9 character cards, 27 remedy cards, 28 symptom cards, 3 miniature carts, 1...
#1: Happy Little Dinosaurs
Happy Little Dinosaurs board and piece set
Just by looking at the picture of Happy Little Dinosaurs, you can probably sense something familiar. This is one of many games made by Unstable Unicorns, most famously known for their games Unstable Unicorns, Here to Slay, and Llamas Unleashed. Their art style is known as the brand Tee Turtle. They make lots of quirky adorable tee shirts.
The cards have the same adorable and quirky descriptions, and the player boards are to die for cute. Although this is only a four player game, it is the shortest game on the list. My family could go three or four rounds of this and still have a great time! Similar to the play style of other board games like Exploding kittens, your goal is to avoid your own destruction, foil your opponents plans, and get the most points.
The winner is either, the first player to reach 50 points, or the last player left alive. When you near the end of the game, the tension ramps up, and you can smell blood in the water. That is when you pull out all the stops, play all your meanest cards, and force someone out of the game. Be sure to play nicely! Or your family might not want to play with you again.
This game is quick, lighthearted, cute, great for all ages, and affordable. You can pick this up at your local Target! No need to search board game stores or look online. You can grab this next time you stock up on toilet paper! This gets a 10/10 fun rating, and a 5 star review.
FALLING METEORS: Lately, it feels like we’re all just dinosaurs trying to avoid the falling meteors.
SURVIVE IT ALL: In this 2-4 player game, you’ll try to dodge all of life’s little disasters while...
OVERVIEW: In Happy Little Dinosaurs, the first person to reach 50 points, or be the last Dinosaur...
The Verdict:
So, if you are wondering what your next Christmas family board game should be, I hope you will consider one of the five above! They are fresh, unique, and fun in their own ways. Every game on this list has brought smiles to my family and friends faces! These are the best from this year, and they get the official FunAttic stamp of approval!
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There are many advantages to using wood bats, particularly for youths. Wood bats help players develop their skill and technique since a player must adapt to use both their arms and body to ensure a good swing. Thus, we’ve prepared a list of the best wood youth bats on the market for you.
It is commonly said that a wooden bat is prone to breaking during a hard hit, but a quality bat can send a ball straight for the fences without doing any damage to the bat itself.
Wood bats tend to have proper weighting and balancing to ensure a proper swing. In turn, youths who use a wood bat pick up greater barrel awareness, which allows youths to learn the best strike zone grasping techniques so that the player has a greater chance of hitting the ball with the sweet spot.
Of course, knowing what benefits a wooden bat provides is not enough. It is important that you also know which wood youth bats work best. The list below highlights our choices for seriously powerful and trustworthy bats.
1. Marucci JB19 Youth Maple Wood Baseball Bat
This posh and well-crafted Marucci bat combines a thick handle with a traditional barrel, ensuring the player will be in complete control. It’s one of the brand’s most balanced and fastest swinging bats, available in various sizes from 26 to 31 inches. That’s great since it enables the player to pick up the perfect size for them.
The product is made from maple, with every bat bone rubbed to ensure the ultimate wood density. The only downside is that the bat isn’t recommended for beginners – it’s best suited for players with some experience in hitting wood. However, since the bat is made with the very same specifications as the adult version of the JB19, the transition, later on, should be more seamless.
The Marucci Maple wood bat offers a 30-day warranty, so you can be confident in the quality of the materials used in manufacturing. If you’re looking for an elegant bat that will help young players refine their skills and reach their full potential, this one is a great choice.
Similar to the Louisville Slugger Youth 225 Bat, the Rawlings Adirondack Youth Wood Bat is also made from ash and features a nice black finish. However, this bat also boasts a laser-engraved knob for a sweeter appearance that any youth is sure to enjoy. When it comes to youth wood bats, this one is capable of withstanding the true test of time thanks to its solid construction.
The bat features a 1-inch handle that is easy for smaller hands to grasp while a medium-sized barrel ensures a greater chance of hitting a home run. The bat is available in varying sizes ranging from 27 inches to 31 inches for youths of all ages. This bat is sure to improve the swing technique of your young hitter thanks to the balanced feel that it provides.
Despite the fact that the Rawlings Adirondack Youth Wood Bat is somewhat on the thin side, it offers incredible craftsmanship. Although the ashwood ensures that the bat is lightweight, it offers enough weight to help young children develop their batting skills. Overall, this bat is a great choice for any young player looking to improve their gameplay.
The BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat by Barnett is perfect from the youngest of youth players to the oldest thanks to its incredible size range. Bat sizes include 24 inches, 28 inches, 30 inches, and 32 inches in length. The bat itself is constructed of quality composite wood, which offers solid swinging capabilities as well as the ability to send a baseball flying for the fences.
The bat is relatively lightweight and smaller in size compared to many other youth bats. It is approximately 2 inches in diameter at the end of the barrel, which may make it seem small in stature, but it is big enough to knock quite a few balls out of the park. A relatively thin handle makes this bat easy for young hands to hold onto while they practice so they can bring their A-game to the playing field.
BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat features a natural finish, which gives it a traditional appearance that is perfect for avid baseball fans of any age. Although the bat is small enough that it is easy to handle, it is also sturdy enough that it allows players to improve their techniques. The thin handle makes it easy for players to determine where the strike zone is so they can find the bat’s sweet spot without issues.
The Louisville Slugger WB125YB-BW Baseball Bat is everything a youth player could want from a contemporary-looking bat. The bat, which is made from ashwood, looks incredible with a wine-colored finish on the handle and a black finish on the barrel. Part of what makes this bat so fantastic is that it is the perfect choice for young baseball players. The bat is available in two sizes, which include a 27-inch bat weighing in at 26 ounces, and a 29-inch bat weighing 28 ounces.
This bat is a tad heavier than some bats that are similar in size, however, it offers incredible balance, and the weight of the bat allows players to develop some of the best swinging techniques possible. By improving their swinging technique, youths can gain a competitive edge on the field that allows them a better chance of hitting a home run.
The Louisville Slugger WB125YB-BW Baseball Bat is made of ashwood. Ash is a far more flexible wood than other, more traditionally used woods such as maple. However, the flexibility of the wood provides a more forgiving sweet spot to ensure the bat does not split when your child cracks a ball. In addition, the sound the ball makes when it connects with the bat will have your child grinning from ear to ear.
5. Louisville Slugger 2015 Youth 125 Ash Wood Tee Ball Bat
When it comes to youth wood bats, the Louisville Slugger 2015 Youth 125 Ash Wood Tee Ball Bat is where it’s at. The bat features a stunning natural finish for a more traditional baseball bat look that is sure to make any little slugger happy. The bat is constructed out of carefully selected ash lumber to ensure a solid, high-quality construction.
One benefit of this bat is that it is only 26 inches in length, which makes it the perfect bat for any young tee-ball player looking to improve their gameplay. It is a superb choice as a starter bat for even the youngest of players since it is relatively lightweight and easy to handle. Since the bat is made from ashwood, it provides enough flexibility to ensure that your young player is able to make good use of the bat’s sweet spot.
Hitting a ball and landing a home run should be no problem considering that the bat is 2 inches in diameter. A smaller-sized handle ensures that tiny hands can grasp the bat with ease. This well-made bat is a great choice if you are looking for either a good practice bat or a T-ball bat, especially considering its affordable price. Overall, there is almost no way you can go wrong when choosing this bat for young baseball players.
Do I need to do anything to the bat after I purchase it?
A lot of enthusiasts put their bats through what is called a “breaking” period, which essentially means putting it to the test by swinging it against a baseball several dozen times. If you just got your composite baseball bat out of the wrapper and it feels off, then make sure to break it. Aluminum bats don’t need this.
The general rule of thumb is to rotate the bat about a quarter whenever you hit the baseball to ensure that it strikes a different part each time. Another good piece of advice is to only use about half strength when swinging at the baseball to ensure you don’t put so much pressure into it that it cracks before reaching its full potential. After you break in the bat, then it will be significantly more sturdy.
An estimated total of between 100 to 200 hits needs to be achieved for the bat to be fully broken in.
What is the best wood for youth bats?
Regardless of whether or not you’re buying a youth bat or meant for an adult, there are 3 main types of wood that are used in the industry. The traditional choice is ashwood, since it was exclusively used throughout the world until sometime around 1998, when we started experimenting with other woods such as maple and birch. Maple has since become favored, however, due to its extreme durability.
Ash – The father of baseball bats and the wood from which most of them used to be made. Ashwood is very flexible but features little density, ruining them after heavy use. It’s known to be less performing than maple and far more prone to breaking.
Birch – A mix between ash and maple. A decent middle ground between flexibility and density, making birch a solid all-rounder.
Maple – The stiffest and hardest wood commonly used in baseballs. Chosen by professionals due to its extraordinary durability.
If you’d like to find the best wood youth bats for yourself, then picking your desired type would be a wise place to start.
Final Thoughts
With so many bats available on the market, it can seem like a daunting task to try and find the right one. Fortunately, the list above will help you get started with some great starter bats for young players. Each one features its own unique benefits that your children are sure to love. Better yet, each bat listed comes at an affordable price that parents are sure to love.
There should be no reason why you should have to break the bank just to ensure that your child receives a quality youth bat to play with. Although there might not be any warranties available on the bats mentioned above, their solid build should ensure plenty of playtime without the worry of cracking and breaking.
Of course, you should keep in mind that the chances of splitting a bat are always likely with wood, but the better the build of the bat and the more solid the construction, the less likely it is that your little slugger will splinter it to pieces.
All-in-all, the bats mentioned above will provide your child with plenty of playtime both on and off the field while also improving their swinging technique thanks to their balanced weight.
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Looking for the best youth catchers mitts on the market? We’ve got your back!
When it comes to baseball, whether played professionally or by a group of youths, every player on the field is required to wear a glove, even the catcher. The only difference is that the glove the catcher wears is referred to as a mitt, because, unlike a glove, the mitt does not have individuals places for the catcher to place his or her fingers. Also, the mitt tends to have a rather large, deep pocket that is designed to allow the catcher to trap the ball within the glove once caught.
If your child is currently expressing interest in the position of a catcher, make sure you have the right equipment on hand, which includes quality youth catcher’s mitts. With so many mitts to choose from, it can seem nearly impossible to choose the right one. Luckily, the list below can take the guesswork out of your purchasing decision by highlighting the top five youth catcher mitts available for you to buy.
Wilson A360 Catcher’s Mitt – Right Hand Throw
Size: 31.5″, 32.5″
Right-Handed Throw: Yes
Left-Handed Throw: No
Break-in Ready: No
Under Armour 31.5″ Youth Framer Series Catcher’s Mitt
Size: 31.5″
Right-Handed Throw: Yes
Left-Handed Throw: No
Break-in Ready: Yes
Easton NATY2000 Natural Youth Series Catcher’s Mitt
Size: 32″
Right-Handed Throw: Yes
Left-Handed Throw: Yes
Break-in Ready: No
Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt
Size: 32.5″
Right-Handed Throw: Yes
Left-Handed Throw: Yes
Break-in Ready: No
Akadema AGC98 Prodigy Series Glove
Size: 32″
Right-Handed Throw: Yes
Left-Handed Throw: Yes
Break-in Ready: No
1. Wilson A360 Catcher’s Mitt
Baseball is a game that requires the development of certain skill sets. The only way to develop those skillsets is by practicing and ensuring that your child has the right equipment to use when playing the game. The Wilson A360 Catcher’s Mitt is a quality youth mitt that provides a comfortable fit for improved performance during both game time and practices.
The Wilson company makes it a point to work with top-performing MLB players in order to design youth catcher’s mitts that best emulate the mitts that professional players use. This particular mitt consists of a palm and web that are made entirely of pigskin. The glove features a half-moon web shape that allows catchers to adequately catch and cradle the ball during gameplay.
The Wilson A360 Catcher’s Mitt is available in either a 31.5-inch size or a 32.5-inch size in order to accommodate both older and younger children. Keep in mind that this glove is only available for catchers with a right-handed throw, meaning the glove itself is designed to be worn on the left hand. You should also keep in mind that this glove is specifically designed as a baseball mitt rather than a softball mitt.
2. Under Armour 31.5″ Youth Framer Series Catcher’s Mitt
Under Armour is an extremely well-known brand within the sports world, and that’s not just limited to baseball. With this Framer Series youth catcher’s mitt, you can get the innovation and design that you know and love from Under Armour.
This catcher’s mitt, at 31.5 inches, is a lightweight glove. This allows any young player to quickly move around. It can also help young players develop their catching skills. While it’s lightweight, it is equipped with PHT Padding Technology, which makes it just as protective as heavier catcher’s mitts.
Contributing to the lightweight design, this catcher’s mitt has an open, perforated back. This adds breathability to the mitt and also decreases the weight. It also uses high-quality synthetic material on the back of the glove. This helps remove excess weight in specific spots of the glove that don’t need durability.
Additionally, this mitt has a deep pocket along with a large surface area. This allows a huge target for the pitcher, as well as a good amount of catching space.
Although this mitt isn’t one of the most inexpensive options, it may provide you with the best value. It has incredible features as well as a decent price tag.
3. Easton NATY2000 Natural Youth Series Catcher’s Mitt
When it comes to youth catcher’s mitts, the Easton NATY2000 Natural Youth Series Catcher’s Mitt takes the cake for a number of reasons. To begin with, the mitt is designed with smaller hand openings in order to better accommodate youth players looking for a secure and comfortable fit. In addition, the 32-inch size of the mitt is great for young little league players looking for better control of the ball.
The extended web and closed back provides a relatively deep pocket, which in turn means fewer balls dropped when it comes down to those all-important strikeouts. The mitt comes equipped with a palm pad in order to reduce the damage that the impact of a speeding ball can deliver. The good news is, sting reduction not only reduces the chances that your young player will get hurt, but it also provides a boost of confidence.
It is common for young players to shy away from catching a ball out of fear that it will hurt. Thanks to the palm pad found in this glove, your child will quickly gain the confidence needed to improve their catching abilities and overall gameplay. Although the Easton NATY2000 Natural Youth Series Catcher’s Mitt is not quite out-of-the-box ready, it does not take long for younger players to break it in for a more natural and comfortable feel.
When it comes to youth catcher’s mitts, Mizuno has certainly made a name for themselves with the Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt. This transitional-sized mitt is available in a 32.5-inch size that is perfect for young hands looking to catch a ball. Thanks to Mizuno’s Power Close technology, youth players will find that it is much easier to close the mitt and keep it closed for increased ball control. A V-Flex Notch design increases the ease with which your child can close the mitt, affecting ball catching and controlling.
You will quickly find that this mitt can improve your child’s catching and controlling techniques, which is in part because of the ParaShock palm pad designed into it. The pad absorbs the impact of the ball, which means young hands will not feel the sting that often comes with a high-impact catch. Sting reduction will in turn reduce your child’s fear of catching the ball, which will enable them to play with more confidence on the field.
Although your child can use the Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt for softball, it is important to realize that it is certainly defined more for baseball. Furthermore, when purchasing this mitt, you have the option of purchasing it for either a left-handed or right-handed thrower. While the Mizuno does not come ready for use straight out of the box, it is relatively easy to break in. In fact, you will find that your child can break it in pretty quickly with perhaps just a few practices.
The Akadema AGC98 Prodigy Series Glove is certainly a great choice with regard to youth catcher’s mitts. Part of what makes this particular mitt so special is because of who designed it. When you choose a catcher’s mitt for your child, you want to ensure that it is designed to do its job, which includes catching or scooping a ball, closing around it, and controlling it. No one understood that better than MLB hall of famer Gary Edmund Carter.
As a former player for both the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter understood the importance of a quality mitt, particularly since he played the position so well. For that reason, Carter designed this mitt with a deep pocket as well as a Spiral-Lock Web and Grasp-Clasp wrist system to ensure that your child would have an easier time catching and controlling the ball.
The Akadema AGC98 Prodigy Series Glove also features an open-back design that provides breathability for added comfort. As if that isn’t enough. Carter designed the glove to offer a Praying Mantis fit in that it has two more finger slots in order to keep the fingers firmly in place once inside the glove, which in turn improves the level of control your child has over the ball. The glove has a shock-absorbent feature that protects little hands from injury upon catching the ball.
In addition to its very unique design, this glove is made from high-quality, lightweight materials that your child will find comfortable. The pocket of the glove features a Steerhide material that is carefully selected and crated in the U.S. The back of the glove features Akademalyte leather. The materials are secured in place using rawhide gray lacing, which adds additional quality and an appealing appearance.
When purchasing this catcher’s mitt, keep in mind that it is available for either a left-handed or right-handed thrower. The uniquely shaped design and shape of the glove enable your child to gain fast, easy access to the ball, which should in turn help to improve your child’s gameplay experience and overall technique.
The terms glove and mitt are used relatively interchangeably within baseball, even though they both explicitly refer to a mitt, as gloves as different. To put it as simply as possible, a glove has separate pockets for each of your fingers, while a mitt has fewer of them, bunching up your fingers together. This helps when catching a ball due to an added sense of security.
Do I have to do anything to the mitt after I purchase it?
A mitt just taken out of the wrapper will probably be uncomfortable to use, due to the fact that the material from which it has been made has not reached the level of flexibility required for optimal comfort. In short, it will be quite stiff. Softening the material and putting it through use, then, is called “breaking” the glove. This is primarily done through repeatedly catching baseballs, and it can take anything from several days to whole weeks. To keep it simple, the more you use your mitt, the better it’s going to perform.
What is glove oil and how does it help?
Glove oil is very frequently seen being used by professionals. It is a light, all-purpose oil that has been specifically designed in order to be able to penetrate the material of most baseball mitts for two reasons: that of helping to break in new mitts by softening the material, and of keeping old mitts fresh and pristine by infusing them with much-needed oils so that it doesn’t become dry and crackly.
It can be used without worry, as even if you put too much oil on your mitts, then you’re not going to damage them. Furthermore, glove oil dries quite quickly and doesn’t leave residue, either, making the whole process quite easy. Keeping your mitt well-oiled can help protect against things like mold and mildew.
How often should I oil a catchers mitt glove?
The need for oiling can range from one time per week to one time per month, depending on the humidity of where you live. There isn’t a specific standard time that oiling is required. It depends on what type of oil you’re using, what type of glove you have, and the overall humidity of the environment where you choose to store your glove. The best way to get it right is to read the instructions on the oil’s label and determine how often you should oil it that way.
What is the best time to replace a baseball glove?
Whenever the leather seems to be becoming weak that a hard line drive won’t stick to your glove anymore. There’s no exact measurement here either, you kind of have to go by your gut feeling and see how your glove performs during practice.
What size catchers mitt should a 12 year old use?
A 12 year old’s mitt should be within the range of 32 to 32.5 inches in circumference. Players 12 and under will require a mitt of 32″ or less, while a player 13 or older will usually require a catcher’s mitt whose circumference is 32.5″ or more.
What size catchers mitt should a 10 year old use?
Eight to ten year olds should wear mitts from 30 to 31 inches in circumference. Again, this can vary from child to child, but as a rule of thumb, that would be standard size for a catcher’s mitt meant for a 10 year old.
How long do the best youth catchers mitts last?
A standard pair of catchers mitts can last anywhere from a few months to two or three years depending on how much you use them. This also varies depending on the build quality, the brand that made the mitt, and many other factors. The mitts we’ve presented in this guide are all high-quality, so you should expect a decent shelf life.
Best Youth Catchers Mitts Final Thoughts
There you have it, the 5 Best Youth Catchers Mitts. Perhaps you are in need of a baseball bat as well? If so, then make sure you check out our list of Best Wood Youth Bats as well.
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The quarantine has left us all in need of entertainment. It’s no wonder, then, that people have taken to appropriating the age-old game of Pictionary to Zoom’s environment. If you’re one of the people that wonder how to play Pictionary, then you’re in luck, as we’ve outlined an easy-to-follow guide that will bring you up to speed in no time.
Playing Pictionary on Zoom is not as complicated as some might think. You can traditionally play Pictionary with a pen and some paper. Zoom’s Whiteboard feature, however, offers an amazing alternative. Spicing up a board meeting before delving into what’s serious has never been this easy!
What is Pictionary on Zoom?
Pictionary is a word-guessing game created by Robert Angel in 1985. The game is generally played in two teams and has the end goal of identifying a larger array of words than your competitors. The team that scores the largest number of words is declared the winner.
Zoom is a particularly awesome platform to play Pictionary on due to its popularity and ease of use. The onset of the pandemic has left many people migrating their daily business to Zoom, greatly inflating its user base. Fans of Pictionary know this only means more people to play with.
Zoom’s Whiteboard feature makes playing Pictionary a breeze, although playing online means that you’ll have to use a random word generator as well for a complete experience.
Want something different or is Pictionary not what you’re looking for? We’ve put together a large list of games for you to peruse and enjoy, so take your pick!
Getting Started with Pictionary
Learning how to play Pictionary is easy, although mastering it requires more than just a couple of ad-hoc games. First thing you should take care of is to relax. While Pictionary is highly competitive in nature, there’s no reason for you to get too involved. Some joke that it’s the type of game that destroys friendships. We’re glad to let you know that’s anything but true.
Ready? Great! In order to play, you’ll need to gather the following materials:
A Zoom account.
(Optional) Pen and paper.
A random word generator.
A timer.
We’ll be assuming that you’re going to be using Zoom’s Whiteboard feature instead of the traditional pen and paper approach. This removes the need to keep track of word categories on account of the generator.
Setting Up Your Teams
While you can learn how to play Pictionary on Zoom with more than just two teams, the general rule of thumb is that it’s far easier to understand and enjoy the game when there’s fewer teams to worry about.
If you have a large table and are not sure if you can accommodate everyone, then just split it in two and assign more players to a team than otherwise instead of adding more, as that tends to bog it down with additional paperwork.
The situation in which there are only three remaining players can also crop up, in which case it’s recommended you designate one of them as the dedicated sketcher.
Establishing House Rules
Pictionary has a set of rules that must be followed in order to keep up with the spirit of the game. There are also many who have chosen to modify them to their liking. There’s a varied amount of house rules available that you can enforce before starting play, so it’s wise to discuss them with your group for the perfect experience.
The word “basketball” is a classic example to consider when trying to determine house rules. What do you do if a player guesses “basketball hoop,” instead? The consensus among veteran Pictionary players is that the answer goes as long as the key word has been identified.
In traditional Pictionary you determine the starting player by rolling a six-sided die. This doesn’t quite apply to Zoom Pictionary. You can choose the starting player in a myriad of ways, such as going in the order of the webcam layout. Or alphabetically. Or by age, to give only a few examples!
How to Play Pictionary on Zoom
So you’ve learned what it takes to play Pictionary and now you’re eager to get started. First, you must split the players into teams. Then you should get ready to apply your artistic skills before the timer runs out.
The first player has to start the 60 second timer and generate a random word. They will then have to appropriate it onto Zoom’s Whiteboard through drawing.
Let’s assume they generate the word “dog.” This means that the first player will have to illustrate a dog onto the Whiteboard. Then the other player has to guess it correctly before the timer runs out.
There’s always going to be someone who is going to try and declare the word before the first few lines have been laid out, which is great, as it’s all in the spirit of the game.
The host of the game or the player assembly will have to determine a success threshold for winning the game. Traditional Pictionary is played on a game board and has a slightly different scoring system than what Zoom allows. It’s important to establish the winning number of successes before starting play.
The team that first reaches this threshold is the winner, chalking up a success for each word guessed off the Whiteboard.
If you’re part of the winning team, then congratulations! You’ve gotten the hang of Pictionary, and will no doubt have a slew of future successes when playing against less experienced players.
If you’re part of the losing team, then congratulations as well! Pictionary is a game and should be taken thusly. Losing just means you have room for improvement, and there’s no better time to apply your recently learned talents than in future games.
Other Zoom Games Worth Trying
Zoom isn’t just good for playing Pictionary. There are many other games you could engage in, all of which are perfect for a video conference environment. Here’s a small list of suggestions that will leave you enthusiastic at the prospect of discovering a whole world of traditional gaming done virtually.
Twenty Questions
Need to test the amount of general knowledge you’ve acquired over the course of your lifetime? There’s few better ways to impress your peers with just how many things you know than by challenging them to a game of twenty questions.
Truth or Dare
See how brave your friends and family are by challenging them to a game of truth or dare. This staple childhood game can be played on Zoom with no effort whatsoever and is simple enough to thrive in situations in which time is of the essence.
Hangman
What a classic! Students have been playing Hangman since time immemorial, and the game is still very popular among certain groups. Zoom’s Whiteboard feature makes it easy for you and your group to play this awesome word puzzle game. Train not only your mind, but your ability to develop long-lasting friendships!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Pictionary without teams?
Yes! While Pictionary is a team game at its heart, Hasbro has also put forward rules for players who would like to eschew the idea of teamwork. All in good fun, of course. If this is what you’re into, then we have some great suggestions for you. You can play Pictionary in three players by splitting up the table in two teams and choosing the third player as the designated artist of the game. Drawing for the rest of the game isn’t all that fun, however. The artist is also going to score a point whenever they draw well enough that one of the other players has guessed a keyword. This way you can reward both normal players and the artist. One simple way to play Pictionary without teams is to rotate the role of designated artist after every guessed word. This can be done in any manner, whether from left to right or by the flip of a coin. If the artist has a higher score than the other players, then he can no longer be an artist, and is only relegated to guessing. You can also establish a set number of successes that will win the game instead of deciding freeform. Our suggestion would be to go for 9, which makes for a quick, stress-free game.
Is Pictionary a good game for children?
There’s few games, in fact, that are better suited to a developing child than Pictionary. Learning to identify words and concepts through a visual medium can help develop a child’s cognitive and perceptive skills to great effect. Pictionary might sound a bit too difficult for certain children, although if you patiently take the time to explain how the game is played, then it only becomes a matter of practice. Exposing a loved one to a traditional game like Pictionary is a great choice for parents who want to take an active hand in their development.
Can you play Pictionary in class?
Using Pictionary as a learning tool is a very wise move for teachers from all over the world. It’s easy to make class fun when you’re playing a game! If you’re looking for a more personal, laid-back approach to teaching your students words, then Pictionary is exactly what you need. The convenience of having a blackboard or a whiteboard available solidifies Pictionary as being the end-all classroom game. It is a great introduction to a particularly intense lesson, as it can help students unwind and relax before getting to work.
Are there other ways of playing Pictionary?
You can play Pictionary in a wide variety of ways. The most common way of playing an alternate version of Hasbro’s timeless classic is Reverse Pictionary, which is particularly good when in a classroom environment on account of its unique nature. Let’s assume your table has been split in two. A designated guesser has to be chosen by each team, who will have the sole privilege of attempting to identify key words. The guesser will have to be positioned with their back to the drawing board. The game host must write down a word on the drawing board. The two teams will then have to draw it onto any canvas which will then be presented to the designated guessers. Their role, of course, is to identify the key words. This is a fun way of putting a fresh coat of paint on Pictionary and will no doubt greatly improve its replayability value. Playing Reverse Pictionary on Zoom can be tricky, although that obstacle can easily be circumvented with a bit of creativity.
The Bottom Line
Pictionary is a spectacular game for all ages. Zoom’s Whiteboard feature has made it easy to get together for a bit of rest and relaxation. This opens up a large host of gaming possibilities.
Understanding the rules of the game can be difficult at first, especially when adapting Pictionary to an online video conference. You’re bound to have loads of fun as long as you follow the instructions.
Want to do us a favor? Then enjoy yourself and create some memorable experiences with your friends and acquaintances. Pictionary is the sort of game over which you can easily bond, so forget about your worries! Don’t be afraid to dive right in. You’ll be better for it.
You’ve learned how to play Pictionary. Now it’s all up to you!
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When planning a 70th birthday party – or a platinum jubilee as people call this anniversary in some circles, it is important to make sure that your guest of honor is comfortable and will enjoy the celebration. It is their party after all! This will depend greatly on their health, food preference, and the desired party size. It seems like a ton of stuff to consider, right? Well, worry not, because, in this article, you are sure to find something that will work for any lucky 70 years old! So here are our most fun and best twenty-one 70th birthday party ideas to consider this year! If you were looking for some fun surprise 70th birthday party ideas for your lifetime partner or some special 70th birthday party ideas for mom or dad, you will find your inspiration here!
If you want even more creative incentives to organize a memorable event for everyone involved, check out our 80th birthday party ideas as well! We are sure you can adapt the themes and activities to any situation!
21 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Your Loved Ones
On the Day You Were Born:
This is always a fun party idea because it allows you and other guests to get a glimpse inside the life of the honoree that they might not have seen before. The first thing you will want to do is either go to your public library or on your computer, do a search for the exact day they were born, and learn! Then you will need a way to display all of the information you have just learned. My favorite way is to get a big chalkboard and decorate it with facts about the day of the honoree’s birth.
If you do decide to use a chalkboard, a fun idea is to also place a second chalkboard next to it and allow guests to write memories or sweet notes. You can write and draw a lot of stuff related to the decade that the person was born in. You can also look on the internet for far lesser-known stuff related to the person’s birth year or birth decade. It’s worth doing as much research as possible because you never know what you might stumble upon.
Slide Show:
Slide shows are a great way to keep the party intimate and also bring back happy memories with loved ones. There are two different formats that can be used for a slide show, one is a “Now and Then”, where you would display pictures of the honoree from childhood through to their 70th birthday party. Another way to present a slideshow is “A Look Back and a Look Forward”. This one is my favorite, because not only do you get to share and enjoy the memories of their life so far, but you get the chance to ask them and display pictures of where they hope to go and what they want to achieve.
This is an idea to be careful with; you do not want to dredge up old and painful memories. For example, you might want to avoid putting up pictures from the person’s wedding if their spouse has died recently. It might be too much for them, and the birthday party might turn out much sadder than you would have planned otherwise.
Milestone Photo Book:
In case, you are concerned that a slideshow might evoke too many painful memories, I suggest using a photo book instead. Choosing this route will allow everyone to look at the photos at their leisure. People can talk to the birthday guy or gal about the photos. This is a beautiful way to hear stories from the honoree and learn about their life and what is special to them. Choose not only photos of the honoree, but also ones of children and grandchildren. They will be reminded of the life and joy still flourishing around them. It might also be the perfect moment to allow them to share their own take on some events or memories. You might even end up finding out something that you had absolutely no idea about the birthday boy or gal.
Host a Roast:
This is a great way to liven up any party, especially a 70th birthday party! Can you imagine all of the stories after 70 years of living!? It is important that you include on the invites the plan for a roast, and have whoever wants to participate think of a funny story about the honoree they would like to share at the party. Be sure that you ask to see each memory/funny story first, this way you can avoid duplicates and, most importantly, hurt feelings.
This is a theme where the guest of honor is remembered and gets to feel special while laughing. Organizing a roast for a guest of honor is, in general, a great idea for any type of party or celebration, so you can keep it in mind for an 80th birthday party as well. Again, try not to be mean and try talking to the other guests about what questions would be good and what things are absolutely off-limits for anyone so that you don’t end up causing the guest of honor to cry.
Classic Car Theme:
If your birthday honoree is all about old, classic cars, this is a great theme to have. Find out what cars they owned, or always wanted to own, and decorate the place. The important thing to be aware of is that this is not a party for a child. That being said, the cake can be in the shape of an old car, you could try organizing a car show for the party, but I would keep the decorations for the most part subtle. You are celebrating something they love, and need to be cognizant of where to draw the line.
This is one of my favorite ways to celebrate, well, ANYTHING! If the one you are celebrating is the type of person who likes to go to casinos, then this is a party that simply cannot fail. You can put their picture on everything from the poker chips and cards to the slots in a slot machine! With this theme, everyone can play games at their own pace and party while remembering who they are celebrating. Besides, who would not want their face on a poker chip?
Speaking of casino nights and recreating the atmosphere of noir cinema and literature, why don’t you check out this guide on the best card games to play to get your imagination wheels in motion? If the party honoree does not want to play poker necessarily, you can always engage in a mean game of Canasta. Just make sure you all remain friends afterward, as Canasta can heat up the spirits like no other!
Picnic or BBQ:
If you are throwing a party for someone who loves the outdoors, a wonderful party would be a picnic or BBQ. Find a beautiful shaded and somewhat secluded place, place blankets on the ground, and picnic baskets filled with goodies. If the honoree enjoys being on the grill, have a personalized apron made for them with something like “kiss me, I’m 70” or “made in 19__” for a special touch. This is a great way to celebrate a spring or early fall birthday. In fact, it is one of the loveliest ways to celebrate any birthday, especially for kids and teens born in the summer. It makes a wholesome and laidback event where everybody can be themselves.
Afternoon Tea Party:
If the guest of honor is not much of a party animal or prefers smaller crowds, an afternoon tea party is a sweet and intimate way to go. Find a nice room to rent for an afternoon, and place lace tablecloths down, some flowers, perhaps even some pearls. A trick I have used is to find clear vases or bottles, and put pearls and glitter in the bottom, and then stick a flower in. They make lovely centerpieces. Tea lights are also a classy and fun way to go.
Just because this is a tea party for a 70-year-old, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! You could try searching for bundles with many different types of tea to try out. That way, every guest will be pleased and each person can share a recommendation about their favorite tea. The more tea enthusiasts you bring to the party, the better, as you yourself might find out about a flavor that you didn’t even know existed.
Golfing Theme:
This theme is another fun outdoor type of party to have. This theme is not just for the adults either, you could go big and set up a miniature golf section as well for the kids. A game that I think is a fun one for this type of party, is to get a large glass jar, fill it with golf balls and tees, and have people place bets on how many items are in the jar, with a prize for the winner. Otherwise, you could actually rent a golf venue and do your business there. Keep in mind, however, that doing the latter is quite expensive, and unless you can afford to throw your loved one such a birthday party, you’re better off just sticking to a regular golf theme in your backyard and that’s that.
Games:
This type of party would be fun for any age, but especially for someone hitting 70. Lookup popular television show games, or family games and go wild! Find out which games to use and replace some things. For example, make player pieces with their face on them, or for a question/answer type game, come up with questions about the honoree. This is a fun way to keep everyone interactive while keeping the focus on the main person. A nice idea would be an adapted version of one of the many Get to Know You games. You can challenge the guests to answer questions about the honoree and see who know him/her better and who has the funniest stories.
Memory jars are a great way to illustrate the life of the person celebrating their 70th birthday party. You can start by making ones yourself as table decorations. Provide extra jars, photos, and other fun things for the guests to make their own. Then after the party is over, everyone will have something to take home as a keepsake of the wonderful life they just celebrated.
Dance Party:
A themed dance party is a great way to celebrate any 70th birthday party for someone still very active. Choose music from their teen to young adult years, and let the music take control. Finding a DJ can be expensive, yes, but it doesn’t have to be. Just pick someone you know and have them create a playlist, then all you will have to worry about is the speaker system.
Photo Booth:
A photo booth is a welcome attraction at any party. Pick some cool props that are appropriate to celebrating the honoree. Help them and everyone creates new memories that will last forever. This is something that will be interactive and fun for everyone! You’ll surely remain with some nice memories after such a well-organized event.
Food Throughout the Years:
If the person you are celebrating is a foodie, then here is the party for them! Pick popular foods from the last 70 years, and have at it. A fun idea to do with this is to make the tables different themed and allow guests to move about. Sitting at different tables enjoying different foods will make for excellent conversation and full happy stomachs! This is also an excellent way to ensure that you have a wide variety of foods for special diets.
Do Not Forget the Balloons:
The right balloons can make any party a success. They are a reminder of youth and fun and keep everything light and fun. If you are having trouble pinpointing the perfect theme, balloons can help. By simply picking a color scheme, themes will just sort of start popping out of the woodwork! They do this party planner anyway.
3 More 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Mom
Now, let’s see some specific 70th birthday party ideas for mom that you can plan in the blink of an eye! Of course, all the party ideas above are unisex so to speak, but if you want something truly special, here are five ideas to start with and get you going!
Theatre Play to Honor Her Achievements
This idea here is excellent if your mom had always had a soft spot for theatre or cinema. Talk to the other family members and note down all the important and proud moments in your mother’s life so far. Something that will put a smile and even some tears of joy on her face. Get some inspiration from our guide on improv games, as you may want to celebrate her achievements with a comedic flair.
An All-Women Celebratatory Photo
This 70th birthday party idea does not exclude the male members of the family. However, when it comes to the best 70th birthday party ideas for mom, you cannot go wrong with this one. Talk to all the women in your family and have a photo together – a large one so your mom can display on a wall – including everyone, from granny to the youngest girl in the clan. Sign the photo all of you, frame it, and make a girl-themed party out of it if you want.
Play The “Never Have I Ever” Game
Women and their secrets, right? In the vein of organizing a laidback game party for mom and her guests, try playing the Never Have I Ever game. At 70 years old, your mom probably did a lot of things and this is the best time to find out some of her secrets and less-known life adventures! As long as the questions do not trigger painful memories or lean on some family issues no one wants to learn about at a party, you should be fine. Choose your questions well and have a blast from the past with your mom, dad, family members, and friends!
3 More 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Dad
As we said above, all these 70th birthday party ideas go great for both men and women, but if you want to celebrate your dad in style, here are some more tips on how to organize a memorable event!
The Honorary Cocktail Party
Does your dad have a favorite drink or cocktail? Make a party out of it or, better yet, invent a special cocktail for your dad and name it after him! You can also choose a different approach: start from your dad’s favorite color, make a cocktail that has that color (after you mix and stir the well-chosen ingredients), get some party decorations in the same nuance, and have some fun with it! Your dad will be more than happy to name a cocktail and share some good times with all of you!
The Sports Party
You probably already had this idea, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat it. A sports-themed party revolving around your dad’s favorite sport is always a good idea to keep him invested and the guests entertained. You can go to any lengths with it. Prepare an awesome sports-themed gift (like a great baseball glove) and try to have it signed by one of his favorite players. Since it is a bit difficult, you can have it signed by all the family members. While it may be hard to get an autograph from a sports celebrity, it is not hard at all to order a cake in the shape of a basketball or even a baseball bat.
Dad’s Favorite Things Party
Last (but definitely not least) on our list of best 70th birthday party ideas for dad is a themed celebration revolving around all the things your dad loves, from snacks to movies. It is one of the best ways to make your father feel like a king and see everyone around him enjoy all the things that he enjoys. Order his favorite chocolates and foods, decorate in his favorite color, play his favorite music, watch his favorite film together, you know… Add a splash of all those wonderful things that make your father so wonderful and enjoy them with the rest of the family and guests!
Bottom Line
There you have it, some of the best 70th birthday party ideas. The most important thing to remember is to celebrate the life of the person, and not to focus on their age. Keep it light and fun while making new memories. Your goal is that everyone walks away from the party feeling like they have been a part of new memories being made. Good luck, not that you will need it!
https://funattic.com/app/uploads/2016/07/birthday-1835443_1280.jpg7701280Janice Friedman/app/uploads/2016/03/funattic-logo-1.pngJanice Friedman2020-12-12 03:09:002023-05-10 00:37:2321 Fun 70th Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in Style
