Javelin

This was a fun game we invented as part of a 'Summer Olympics' themed week. This game is good for working on players balance and arm strength and  hand-eye coordination. 

You will need: A hula-hoop and some pool noodles

To Play: If you are able, tie string to hula-hoop and string up/hang at a shoulder level height.

 (If unable to tie the hoop into place have a staff member stand and hold the hoop out at shoulder height as far away from the body as possible - however we do like to joke that if the players hit us with the pool noodle they lose points!). 
Players stand 6 feet away and throw the pool noodle trying to get it through the hoop. Each player gets 2 attempts per round. 10 points if the 'javelin' /pool noodle goes through on the first attempt. 5 points if on the second attempt. The player with the most points at the end of 3 rounds is the winner! 

Variations: If the people playing are unsteady or have balance issues this game can be played where each person sits in an arm-less chair to take their turn. 

You can also play this game adjusting the hoop to different heights for each round.  

Dice Bowling & Dice Gambling

This is a fun active game you can play with a small to medium sized group. 


DICE BOWLING

For this game you will need: 2 large foam dice and a hula-hoop. 

To Play:
Place the hula-hoop at one end of  the room. Have the first player stand  8 (or more) feet away from the hoop and roll/bowl the dice one at a time to try and land them in the hoop at the other end of the room. 
The number face up on the dice is the amount of points earned, if the dice lands within the hoop, the number shown on that die is doubled and added to the total score.
At the end of 3 rounds, whichever player has the most points accumulated wins the game! 


Variations:  For more of  a challenge you can also play a version of this game where you only count the points of the dice that land in the hoop. 

You can play this game with multiple hula-hoops we typically play with the regular one hoop worth double points, one worth triple points rolled and one hoop worth 25 points (or any number value you decide on)!



DICE GAMBLING 

For this game you will need: 2 large foam dice

To Play: 
Sit players in a circle or semi-circle. The first player rolls the dice, the total of the two dice is then added up. The player can choose to roll again or keep the points they have. Players can roll up to 5 times in a row, but if they roll a 1 the player loses all the points they made in that round. 
Each player does the same, after 3 rounds the player with the most points accumulated wins the game!