Spoons

Materials required: a deck of cards, and several spoons (one less then the total # of players) 

Players: 3-8 players

Length of game: 5-15 mins. Depending on the speed & number of players

Setup: Have everyone sit around a table or a flat surface that can hold the spoons and cards. Place spoons in the middle. There should be one less than the number of players. If you have 5 players then 4 spoons. Each player is dealt 4 cards. And the remaining cards form a stack and are put next to the player who will go first.

The object of the game is to be the last person to hold a spoon..

The Goal of the game is to collect 4 of a kind (ex: all 4’s, all Aces, all Kings, etc.). 

To begin a game, the first player takes a card from the deck and places it into his hand.  He or she decides whether to keep this card or not. He or she quickly discards one card from his hand and passes it, face down, to the next person in the circle (in clockwise order).

Once a person gets 4 of the same rank of card, he or she is now eligible to grab a spoon from the middle. Once anyone takes a spoon from the middle, the rest of the players can now grab a spoon, even if they don’t yet have four of a kind. In order not to lose, you must grab a spoon. The last player left (the one who was not successful in getting a spoon) is out of the next round.

Decrease the number of spoons by one and repeat the rounds until there is only one winner left.

Ninja

Materials required: just all the players and some space

Players: Whoever you’re sheltering in place with

Length of game: Varies a lot

 Here’s how to play:

1. All the players stand with their hands together, facing the center of the circle.
2. Everyone says, “3, 2, 1, NINJA!” and then freezes in a cool ninja pose. (This is my favorite part!)
3. Each player takes a turn doing a ninja move.  Turns move around the circle, just like any other game.
4. The object of the game is to get the other players “out,” one limb at a time.
5. When it’s your turn, you get one move. You can karate chop another player’s arm below the elbow, or kick their ankle or foot.  You can try to get any player out – it does not need to be the person next to you. You can take a step as part of your move, but only one step.  For example, you can step forward or backwards and do a karate chop with your arm. The player being attacked can dodge your ninja move. If you successfully karate chop their arm below the elbow or their foot/ankle, then that limb is out!
6. A player is out of the game when both of their arms and both of their legs are out.
7. The winner is the last ninja standing!

 You can always watch this video to see it in action.

Balloon Badminton

Materials required: paper plates, popsicle sticks, a few balloons (in case one pops!)

Setup: Tape the popsicle stick or ruler to the plate to use as your badminton racquet. 

Blow up the balloon to use as the Birdie. 

Gameplay: Turn your living room into a balloon-minton court and play!