Want a game that is easy to set up and cart around? Or one that can be played in a small playing area? Maybe also one that is easy on the budget? Then you may want to consider bean bag toss games. One of the most played games around, tossing bean bags as a game is simple and straightforward enough for even a five-year-old.
This game has got to be one of the easiest to play and construct. All you need for a round of the bean bag toss game is:
- Bean bags – they must all be of the same weight, otherwise you would have a riot on your hands at the injustice of it all
- Target base – this can be a hardwood board, cloth, plastic sheet or canvas.
- Targets – these must be clear indications on the target bases. These can be drawn or painted on and the beauty of the target bases is that they can actually accommodate more than just one target. Another way of creating targets is to dig a hole wherein the bean bags are to be tossed into.
Another variation of the bean bag game is the washers games. This involves pitching washers instead of bean bags. Washers are round plastic, rubber or metal objects that are flung at targets. As they are round in shape, the objective is to either land the washer inside its target or outside of it. Targets for washer games are often circular metal or plastic containers which can be either hollow or have a hook or stick inside of them that protrude upwards or outwards.
While pitching washers may be as easy to toss as bean bags, they are not as easy to make yourself. So if you are planning to construct a whole washer game by yourself, you may want to rethink your plan.
In olden days, tossing washers and bean bags were practically unheard of. The game originally used horseshoes as tossing items – decidedly much heavier items than the ones used in the game today. Naturally, this made the game more challenging as horseshoes do not necessarily land near their targets as easily as washers do. Horseshoes were also not as easy to find or make as today’s washers and bean bags, limiting the number of players per game.
Both games are part of what is loosely termed as tailgating games. These are team games which are played as an activity before a big sports event or a race. While there are many variations of tailgating games, all basically follow the same concept as the bean bag and washer toss game.
Smaller versions of the bean bag tailgate games can have up to 4 players per round, and using tournament brackets can accommodate up to 64 teams in either single or double elimination. These are packaged in attractive packages with multi-colored bean bags, boards and targets. Today, many of these tailgating games are themed and decorated to suit seasons and iconic sport events, teams or personalities like:
- The NBA – designed and decorated to replicate a basketball court, the target is the basket netting set against the almost real-life auditorium floor.
- Chicago Bears – this tailgating set bears the logo and name of the champion team. More expensive sets may even paste pictures of star players in mid-action
- Michael Jordan – just one of many sports personalities who have been inspirations for many a bean bag thrower, this tailgate game features the star player’s face as the backdrop for the board. If you are lucky enough, you may just be able to find an authentic tailgate toss game set that even carries the star’s embossed signature.
The games are also versatile enough to be modified creatively. To make the games more challenging, the distance between the players and target can be increased. Tailgating games are ideal for the backyard and does not restrict players to specific age limits or gender. They are easy to assemble, set up, take down and carry around to the next outdoor venue.
Tags: bean bag toss games, pitching washers, tailgating games
