When kids didn't have a lot of toys, they often amused themselves by throwing things. Sometimes they skipped rocks or had chinaberry fights, but other times they played more organized games. Jog your memory about these old-fashioned throwing games so you'll be ready to teach them to the grandchildren. Some of them, like marbles, aren't exactly throwing games, but are closely related. I've outlined rudimentary rules, but most of these games have varying rules and scoring methods. Fit your rules to your competitors, and be prepared to change what doesn't work.
This is one in a series of old-fashioned games for kids.
1. Washers
All that's required for the game of washers is a supply of large washers that have been painted different colors in groups of four and an area of sand or dirt. Make receptables in the dirt by digging a hole or digging a hole and sinking a cup in it. The cups should be about four inches wide, and the cups should be 25 feet apart. The players stand in front of one cup and throw at the other. The best throw is the one that goes in the cup, and the second best is the one that hangs over the cup. If neither player scores a "cupper" or a "hanger," points are awarded based on whose washer is closest to the hole. There are lots of scoring methods. Read more complete rules.
2. Marbles
Marbles can be played outdoors or inside on carpet. Form a ring two or three feet wide. Use a piece of string to make a circle on carpet. Players lag to see who goes first by shooting their marbles at a line. The player who gets closest goes first.
Each player places an equal number of marbles inside the ring. The first player uses a large marble called a shooter to try to knock the marbles out of the ring. The first shot is taken from the edge of the ring. Subsequent shots are taken from the point where the shooter stopped. A player continues playing as long as he is knocking marbles out of the ring unless the shooter leaves the ring. That ends his turn. Marbles knocked out of the ring are picked up and counted to determine the winner.
