Games for the family

Think you’re too old to play games? Think again.

I’m not talking about “Chutes and Ladders.” I’m talking about

crowd pleasers; classic games that withstand the test of time and

continue to beckon the big and small, the young and old.

If you have the yard to handle a group, outside games are the best

of all. Shuffleboard, croquet, horseshoes and lawn bowling are

outdoor games that have been popular for generations. These games

reward concentration, not brute strength. So if you have a teenager

who can out-muscle you, try these diversions on for size.

Growing up, my family had a shuffleboard court in our backyard. It

was one of the few games that the entire family could rally around.

It was next to the groovy lava-rock fire pit ... which was close to

the hot tub. We had that ‘60s Rat Pack vibe going on.

Shuffleboard began in England during the 1400s and was considered

entertainment for royalty. That works for me. The game is played on a

smooth, flat surface with two teams of two players or two

individuals. We liked to play in teams because you could always blame

your sibling for losing the game.

A shuffleboard court is 52 feet long and 6 feet wide. You push

disks (which are no more than 6 inches wide) with long cues down the

court to score points. You can also use the cues for jousting, which

makes moms mad but explains some of the heritage.

We have friends who have a shuffleboard court that takes the game

to a new level of cool. There are stone benches on both ends of the

court, which makes for a very civilized atmosphere between turns.

Overhead are two strands of industrial lights that illuminate the

entire court for evening games.

The far side of the court is bordered by a beautiful garden, and

the overhanging trees are laced with fairy lights that create massive

mojo. It really is spectacular.

Horseshoes is another lawn game that spans the generations. A

regulation horseshoe pitch is 6 feet wide and 50 feet long. There are

two irons stakes anchored 40 feet apart. Iron horseshoes weighing no

more than 2 pounds 10 ounces are thrown at the stake, and a player

accumulates points by the proximity of shoe to stake.

If two or three people play a game, they compete individually. If

you have a crowd, teams are formed and points are tallied in groups.

Horseshoes can trace its history back to Roman army camps in 100

A. D. You can’t accuse this game of being trendy.

Croquet is another game with European roots. Croquet, which

originated in France around 1400, always makes me think of “Alice in

Wonderland,” with the Queen of Hearts swinging flamingos around in an

outrageous fashion.

Croquet requires a huge playing ground if you follow regulation

rules: 105 feet long and 84 feet wide. We cheat and make the court

smaller.

The game is played with mallets, wickets and balls. Most of time I

feel very refined playing croquet, but I must admit that my favorite

part comes at the time I get the opportunity to “send” an opponents

ball flying out of sight when I earn a free point. This makes the

kids crazy (and they always retaliate) but it makes me feel powerful,

if only for a moment.

Lawn bowling is another very dignified pastime. The Italian

version is called boccie. Boccie requires less space that lawn

bowling, and doesn’t even require a lawn. Official boccie ball courts

are made out of crushed shells. This sounds very chic, unless you

have a lot of cats. Think about it.

So, as you prepare for the holidays, plan for a little group fun.

Maybe the herd can do something other than watch football while you

cook. Or better yet, maybe you can play a little shuffleboard ... the

loser washes dishes.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Sundays.