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Photo Credit: Philip Karlberg
06/22/10
Lawn and Order
Lawn Gaming This Summer
You'll be happy to know that the World Cup isn't the only international game this summer—herewith, a roundup of the best lawn games from around the globe (including, okay, one from right here in the US of A). Best of all, all of them leave one hand free for what's truly important: cocktailing.
QUOITS INTERRUPTUS
Quoits
Game On: Perhaps all you need to know about the British quoits comes from that ancient
source of wisdom, Wikipedia: "The history
of Quoits is disputed." But here's the skinny: it's basically horseshoes but with metal discs instead of
shoes, and four stakes instead of one. Oh, and "color" is spelled with a u.
Play this if you like: Horseshoes, referring to your lawn as "the pitch"
Play this if you like: Horseshoes, referring to your lawn as "the pitch"
SWEDE AND LOW
Kubb
Game On: When you picture Sweden, you likely imagine frolicking blondes, the occasional
Viking and, of course, miles of immaculately manicured lawns. Okay, maybe not, but roughly one millennium
ago, the Swedes invented one impressive lawn game. Basically, you try to knock out your opponent's "shields"
(wooden blocks) with your "battle axes" (sadly, sticks) on a roughly 15-by-25 patch of lawn. Swedish bikini
team of cheerleaders encouraged.
Play this if you like: Croquet, Vikings, Swedes
Play this if you like: Croquet, Vikings, Swedes
GET THE LED OUT
LED Bocce
Game On: No doubt, you've found yourself enjoying a round of the fine Italian sport of
bocce, and thinking one thing: how cool would it be if these things lit up? Finally, someone has heard your
soul's innermost cry. Consider it perfect for that bocce tournament/rave you've got planned for the
Fourth.
Play this if you like: Bocce, gratuitous lighting, Christmas trees
Play this if you like: Bocce, gratuitous lighting, Christmas trees
- 411:
- Light it up here
FIN AND DANDY
Mölkky
Game On: This Finnish sport dates all the way back to that epic era of titans and kings
known as... 1996. Still, the game's become hugely popular in its homeland—you presumably played a couple
rounds during your last layover in Helsinki—because it's a ridiculously simple mix of darts and lawn
bowling. And nothing gets Finns going like lawn bowling.
Play this if you like: Lawn bowling, saying "Mölkky," the natural glory of wood
Play this if you like: Lawn bowling, saying "Mölkky," the natural glory of wood
- 411:
- Get rolling here
SKITTISH
Skittles
Game On: This game is a bit like bowling meets horseshoes, but with a far more complicated set of rules.
Basically, there's something called a "leg," something called "cheeses" and (of course) the "sticker." All
we can say is, watch out for the sticker.
Play this if you like: Bowling, rules
Play this if you like: Bowling, rules
- 411:
- Get skittled here
BEAR ESSENTIAL
Bear Pong
Game On: This great nation was built on innovation, and someday this might rank among the
finest: bear pong, essentially an oversize version of that sport of kings, beer pong. Do not attempt this at
The Standard.
Play this if you like: Sand, beer, oversize novelty items
Play this if you like: Sand, beer, oversize novelty items
- 411:
- Make a splash here
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