Summer Party Games

Bocce

Bocce is a lawn game that closely resembles bowling. It is a fun and relaxing outdoor game.
Ingredients

Bocce set

To Play

Clear out a large level playing area, a regulation bocce court is 76 feet long and 10 feet wide.
Divide players into two teams, with one, two or four players each. Each team receives four balls, divided equally between the team members.
Starting at one end of the court, have a player throw the small ball, or pallina, toward the opposite end of the playing field.
Then that player will throw one of the larger balls, or boccia, toward the pallina trying to get as close to it as possible.
Members from the opposing team will take turns throwing the boccia until one ball is closer to the pallina than the starting team's ball. Then the starting players try to throw closer the pallina.
The players will take turns in this fashion until all boccia have been thrown.
The team with the closest boccia gets one point for each of its boccia that are closer to the pallina than the other team's closest boccia. No points are awarded if the two team's closest boccia are equally close to the pallina.
The team that scored in the last round throws the pallina.
The winning team is the first to score 16 points.

Horseshoes

Ingredients

2 Horseshoe Stakes
4 Horseshoes

To Play

Divide players into 2 teams. Each team is given 2 horseshoes.
A player from the first team should pitch both horseshoes, one at a time, toward the stake from anywhere behind the foul line. (For adult male players the foul line is 37 feet from the stake, and for female, elderly, and junior players it is 27 feet).
Shoes within 6 inches of the stake get 1 point, shoes encircling the stake (but not touching) earn 3 points.
Alternate pitching from one end of the court to the other until all players have pitched.
Play until one team reaches 40 points, or until 40 shoes have been pitched (the highest score wins).

Volleyball

Ingredients

Volleyball
Net

To play

Divide players into 2 teams and stand on opposite sides of the net.
Flip a coin. The winner decides whether to serve or receive.
The server should stand near the rear of their side of the court, and strike the ball with their arm or hand, sending it over the net and into the opposing court.
Players on the receiving side should attempt to return the ball to the serving team.
Players must only hit they ball and never hold or catch it (unless they are serving).
The rally will continue until one team lets the ball hit the ground, or hits it out of bounds.
The winner of the rally gets one point and the next serve.
Games are played until one team scores 25, but the winning team must win by at least 2 points.

Running Bases

Ingredients

Baseball
Bases

To play

Set up two “bases” in an area where no one will get hit with errant throws. (How far depends on the skill level of the players.)
Two fielders are on “defense” and toss the ball to each other.
Everyone else is a runner and they try to steal a base while the ball is being thrown.
If they make it to the next base without being tagged out they score a run. If they are tagged it’s an out.
Three outs and you have to play defense!

Free Throw Shooting

Ingredients

Basketball
Hoop

To play

Everyone gets one shot.
If you make it you are in Round 2. Miss it and you are out.
Game continues until there is only one player left.
If it’s just adults playing charge an “entry fee” (we charge $1) and winner takes all.

Putting or Chipping Contest

Ingredients

Chipping net or box
Golf balls
Putters

To play

If you hit the net/box it’s one point.
If your shot lands in the net/box it’s three points.
Everyone gets the same amount of shots (depending on number of players. Keep it moving fast!).
Player with the most points wins!
If you have a flat area you can do the same thing with a putting contest.

Prizes

Grilling tools
Barbeque sauces and rubs
Palm tree eyeglasses or Tequila sunrise glasses
Water guns, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, and neon maracas make great gifts for the kids!