Run out of marshmallows but the flames are still high? Fed up with Eye Spy? Here are some fun fireside games you might not know to pass the time
1. Pass the Carrot
Everyone sits in a circle with hands behind their backs. A carrot is passed between them. One person sits in the middle of the circle and has to guess where the carrot is. If they guess correctly they switch places with that person. The aim of the game is to ‘disappear’ the carrot by taking a bite whenever the person in the middle is not looking. If you get caught with the carrot, you’re ‘out’.
2. Repeat the Beat
Sitting in a circle around the fire, one person taps out a beat using their hands on their knees. The person to their right has to repeat the beat, and then add a bit more. The game continues, moving to the right, until someone fails to repeat the beat.
3. Fortunately Unfortunately
The first player begins a story with an opening sentence, for example, “I opened the door and found a bear standing on the door mat.” The person to their right begins the next sentence with ‘fortunately’... “Fortunately the bear was friendly!” The next player starts their sentence with ‘unfortunately’... “Unfortunately he was also starving hungry.” The next player begins with fortunately again: “Fortunately I had an enormous packet of bear snacks in the kitchen” and so on and so on.
4. In the Pond
This is great for a big group. One person is the ‘caller’. Everyone else sits around the fire and follows the instructions. The caller shouts one of three instructions. If they shout “In the pond” everyone has to put their hands into the circle (the pond). If they shout “Out of the pond!” everyone has to put their hands up above their heads. If they should “On the bank” everyone puts their hands on their thighs. When you get the hand position wrong, you’re out and have to sit on your hands until the end of the day.
5. The Vegetable Game
Every person names themselves after a vegetable and shares their new name with the group. Theyoungest person in the circles says their vegetable name twice, followed by another player’s vegetable name. So ‘Potato’ might call out “Potato, Potato, Aubergine”. ‘Aubergine’ might then say “Aubergine, aubergine, carrot” and play would pass to carrot. To make it trickier, when anyone is speaking they are not allowed to show their teeth. If they do show their teeth or call out a vegetable that is no longer or was never in the game, they’re out.
If you’re feeling inspired to gather round the firepit with friends, you might like our My Place pages in our September issue, which feature lots more beautiful firepit set-ups.
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