Two New and Ridiculous Games to Play During Quarantine

Today, I am very excited to share with you two new ridiculous games that are sure to sweep the quarantined nation. I am pleased to say these games have been thoroughly assessed by the ultimate professional of fun dumb things, a 6-year-old kid. If you are in need of indoor entertainment, or a way to burn off some pandemic-related frustration, give these a go.

Meet our expert

As a reminder, it is common knowledge (or should be) that 6-year-olds are reigning experts of living in the moment, and that they take this position very seriously. They will risk a bathroom emergency because they find an empty toilet paper role and that is pure gold. Merely sitting and eating dinner? No, thank you.

Living life fully means balancing on your toes in a squatting position on your chair and mashing your fingers directly into the plate of food. How else to know its true temperature? How else to know whether you will even eat this food if you can’t first smell it on your fingers?

It’s pure mindfulness; it’s living with all your senses.

So, there’s really no one better to invent or perfect a game for enclosed, confined spaces, and one that requires little to no equipment. In fact, now that I think about it, both of these games just need a box, ball, and/or stick. We are certain that these games will engage and delight players of all ages and skill levels.

Box Pinball

Players: 2–4

Equipment: A shallow box, a small ball, two sticks (we used plastic spoons)

How to play: Option 1 — Each person guards one side of the box. Try to flick the ball so it hits your opponent’s side for one point. Option 2 — Whip your stick/spoon back and forth in front of your side of the box yelling at the top of your voice one of the following:

No balls!

Get away from here!

Ahhhhhhhhh!

If the ball gets flicked out of the box it’s time for a break. The game ends when one or both parties are tired and/or have sore throats.

Who wins: Option 1 — The person with the most points. Option 2 — Whoever claims they did the loudest

Caution for Option 2: Keep your hands well away from your opponent’s side or you will be savagely, if accidentally, whipped.

Funny Soccer

Players: Unlimited

Equipment: A box (the deeper the better), a ball, your body, optional barrier

How to play: Get the ball in the box in weird ways. Options include, but are not limited to, smacking the ball with your hand while being a robot, kick the ball with both feet (either jump or sit for this), poke it with a knee or elbow. For added difficulty, put a barrier in front of the box so you have to get some elevation as well.

Who wins: The person who gets the most “goals” or does so in the most ridiculous way. Complicated and personalized scoring systems are encouraged.

Important note: For maximum performance it is very important that you grunt or shout “Hi-yah” for every move.

Enjoy

We hope you are able to enjoy these state-of-the-art games. Our mission is always to entertain, and delight people of all ages, especially when they are forced to be together due to a worldwide disaster.

Here at the Ball house, we are always taking submissions for new and exciting game ideas. Mostly, because it is winter and we’re spending more time indoors than we’d like. So help us out. If you have suggestions for these games or ideas for new activities, please do get in touch, and we will begin the vetting process.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay silly, stay SANE.

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Disclaimer: This post was originally published at ericaball.medium.com