The summer is full of long beautiful days spent outside with friends and family. One of the traditional ways to enjoy those long warm evenings is with family barbecues, especially on the Fourth of July. Eating hamburgers, hotdogs and grilled corn on the cob isn’t the only thing that happens at these events, however. While the food is cooking and after all the eating is done the tradition is to play games in the great outdoors.
One traditional game is called the doughnut game. It is a fantastic, fun and messy way to enjoy dessert. This game is great for children and parents alike, but because it can get messy should be played outdoors. First, you need a doughnut for every player. Each doughnut should be suspended by string at about face height. Players must then eat the doughnut without using hands or licking lips. The first one to eat the entire doughnut wins. For a healthier option, use apples.
Apples can also be used for apple bobbing. This game is also fun for all ages, and best played outside. First, fill a large tub with clean cold water and then put enough apples in the tub for each player to have an apple. Players should go one at a time, and the goal is to retrieve an apple using only your mouth. Each player should be timed and the person to retrieve the apple the quickest wins. No hands are allowed!
The flour game is another fun and messy way to enjoy some dessert. A parent should make a flour “cake” by pressing flour into a medium sized mixing bowl then turning onto a flat surface. The process is much like making a sand castle. Then place a piece of chocolate on top. Each player must cut away a section of the cake. The player who makes the chocolate fall then has to find it in the flour with their teeth.
The egg toss is another traditional barbecue game that has been played in backyards for years. First, divide guests into teams of two. Each team should have one egg. There should be two lines of people with team members facing each other very close at the beginning of the game. Team members should toss the eggs between them. If the egg is dropped the team is disqualified. After a successful toss both team members should take a step back away from each other. The team who can go the longest and furthest without dropping or breaking the egg wins.
