Hmmm. This is the first time I’ve done a blog series. Where did I leave off in Part One? Oh, yes, I was on event number three in the backyard Olympics for my daughter’s seventh birthday party.

If you want to get up to speed about how we made team uniforms, had an opening ceremony (with a “torch” and everything!), and our first two events (the bouncing relay and the spoon relay) click here. 

Otherwise, let’s move on.

Event #3: Blanket Volleyball

For this event, you need two blankets of equal size and a large beach ball.  Give each team a blanket and have them hold it around the edges so it’s taut. Then place the ball in the middle of one of the team’s blanket, instructing them to serve the ball by quickly lifting their arms at the same time so the ball is flung through the air to the other team’s blanket. The other team then catches the ball in their blanket and launches it back the same way. If one team lets the ball touch the ground, the other team gets a point. Definitely give the kids some practice shots so they get the hang of it first!

Event #4: Leap Frog

Not only is this game a classic, you don’t need to buy anything for it! Free fun always gets bonus points in my book. In case it’s been awhile since you’ve played Leap Frog yourself, here’s a brief recap of what we did. We had each team line up one behind the other. Then they kneeled on the ground and put their heads down. (Ever the worry wart, I told all the kids to tuck their hands in so no one’s fingers got stepped on.) The last person in each line started the game by standing up and leaping over each child in front of them. When they got to the front of the line, they kneeled with their head down. The leaping continued until the first team reached the orange cone. While I have a lot of pictures of the kids leaping, this one of my hubby demonstrating the game was just too good to keep to myself!

Event #5: Balancing Relay 

All you need for this event are two small stuffed animals. We used Webkinz because as I said before, my kids are crazy about them. By this point, you’re probably seeing a pattern here with all these relays, but when it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The kids loved them! Give the kids a stuffed animal, spoon, whatever, and they don’t mind running back and forth between the same orange cones all afternoon. Anyway, each child took a turn balancing the stuffed animal on their head in typical relay fashion. WARNING! What was atypical about this event was all the cheating! In the spirit of the Olympics and good sportsmanship, our cheers went from “Great job!” to ”Hey! Let go of the animal!”

Event #6: Crab Walk Relay

No assembly required. Need I say more? If yes, leave me a comment!

While the events so far were a lot of fun, I have to admit I saved the best ones for last. Cheap ploy to get you to come back? Yup. Seriously though, you don’t want to miss out on the best event of the day! 

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