News from the world of Finger Jousting

Strange Games doesn't usually have news items but when the fledgling hand sport of Finger Jousting holds its inaugural tournament then it's an event that needs celebrating as well as bringing to the attention of strange games fans everywhere. In Finger Jousting two players stand facing each other and clasp their right hands together as if about to arm wrestle. Then on a given command each player

Dodgems

My previous post reminds me of a game once common in the nation's playgrounds: Dodgems. It could best be described as competitive pogo-dancing although I remember playing before the subtle art of pogo dancing was invented. Dodgems is a stupid game that deserves a comeback.For two players or preferably more. Everyone folds their arms and stands with their feet together. Then, simply, everyone

Dance, Fight or Windmill

Dance, Fight or Windmill is a bizarre children's challenge game which is childish, stupid, pointlessly violent and obviously great fun for children and adults alike.For two players. One challenges the other to 'Dance?', 'Fight?' or 'Windmill?' Player two ponders his three choices then declares his favourite. If 'Dance' is chosen then both players must stand on one leg, then remaining like this

Main Gasing - Malaysian Top Spinning

My previous post regarding the amazing distances and number of times that experts can skim stones prompted an e-mail from Johnny Ong in Kuala Lumpa. He highlighted the Malaysian game of Gasing - an incredibly skilled throwing game that makes skimming a stone a distance of 63m seem almost trivial. Kids have played with spinning tops for hundreds of years - they are probably the oldest recorded toy

Stone Skipping/ Stone Skimming

This elegant game played at least once by anybody who has been on a pebbly beach is known by many names. To the British it is "Skimming", to Americans "Skipping" whereas the Irish prefer "Skiffing" and the Danish "Smutting". The French, as stylish and contrary as ever, know it as "Ricochet".Confusingly there are two World Championships.The World Stone Skimming Championships take place in

Indoor Bull Fighting / Bull Tig

Bull Tig is an old variation of the normal playground tig but one that is rarely seen played today. In it the chaser becomes a bull by simply bending a little at the waist, making his index fingers into horns and placing his hands on the top of his head. As the bull he can now chase the other players, trying to jab them with one of his horns and hence give that person the chance at being the bull

The Top 5 Things To Do With Rhubarb

This post is part of ProBloggers Top5 Group writing ProjectThe Top 5 Things To Do With Rhubarb:5. Rhubarb Crumble4. Rhubarb Fool3. Rhubarb Cobbler2. Rhubarb Wine1. Rhubarb ThrashingA pub game languishing in mystery and obscurity for too long. To play Rhubarb Thrashing requires only some dustbins, blindfolds and a generous selection of freshly picked rhubarb sticks.For 2 players. Two empty

The 8 Rules of Pooh Sticks

The Classic Kids Games Blog is having a 'How To Play...' writing competition...here is the entry from Strange Games1st Rule: You do not talk about Pooh Sticks2nd Rule: You DO NOT talk about Pooh Sticks3rd Rule: When someone says, "Drop" you must release your stick4th Rule: Drop; you can NEVER throw your stick5th Rule: Only one game of Pooh Sticks at a time6th Rule: Sticks must be of organic

Human Space Invaders

A Playground game from 1980’s Britain, Human Space Invaders is that rare thing - a successful computer into real-life game conversion. Line up a group of boys against a wall, three or four rows deep. These players must shuffle from side to side (hopefully en masse) progressing forward one step only when they have shuffled a required sideways distance. The game player stands facing them from a

Extreme Rock Paper Scissors

Definition: An extreme sport (also called action sport, adventure sport, and adventurous sport) is any sport featuring speed, height, danger, a high level of physical exertion, highly specialized gear, or spectacular stunts.Extreme Rock Paper Scissors however is just a violent variation on the standard game, an excuse for a physical attack on your opponent.As in the normal version each player