The Blog

Hanging In The Backyard

The backyard is the meeting ground of all true-blue battlers on Australia Day. Young and old, we all gather out the back for a snag and a chinwag. But what can the kids get up to between ice blocks? We’ve got a list here to help you out.

Kai

Originating in the Torres Strait, think of Kai like a combination of a spelling game and balloon volleyball.

Players: Teams of four to eight players

Equipment: A beachball or similar

How to Play: The goal of Kai is to work through the letters of the alphabet by hitting the ball in the air amongst members of the team. A team wins by being the first to complete the whole alphabet without the ball touching the ground. If the ball hits the ground, you must start over!

Egg and spoon race

On your marks, get set, keep your eggs on your spoons and go.

Players: As many competitors as you have eggs and spoons

Equipment: Eggs (typically come in dozens), spoons and a finish line

How to Play: Competitors line up at the starting line with their egg balanced on their spoon. The first one to cross the finish line is the winner!

A competitor is disqualified IF:

  • Their egg falls off the spoon
  • They touch their egg during the race
  • They use any sneaky tactics to keep their egg on their spoon (we’re looking at you, gum-chewers!)

Cheetahs and Cheetals

Coming from India, this game is the perfect meld of cops and robbers and the pacer test.

Players: Two teams of even numbers

Equipment: A way to mark lines

How to Play: Players are divided into two teams, Cheetahs or Cheetals. The two teams stand back-to-back along the centre line facing their goal line. When the referee calls out one of the team names, that team tries to run to their goal line without being touched by the opposition. If a player is tagged, they join the other team. The game is over when one team catches all the opposing players.

Stretch

Stretch is a South African game in which the goal is to see who can jump the furthest.

Players: Two or more

Equipment: Something to mark the jump to beat

How to Play: From the starting point, the first player jumps and places a marker where they landed. The players then attempt to jump further than the previous jump, marking where they land. If a player fails to jump over the furthest marker, that player is out. Whoever is left standing is the winner!

Pilolo

A cross between a treasure hunt and a good old-fashioned race, the Ghanan game of Pilolo is perfect for groups of kids.

Players: Six or more

Equipment: Objects to hide and a finish line

How to Play: Players turn their backs as the objects are hidden amongst the playing field. When the game begins, players search for an object and race to bring it across the finish line. The first person to cross wins!

Want to do more this Australia Day?