The Olympic Games are the premier multi-sport event watched by the world. This year’s Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11 in France, with Paris as the main host city. Approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete in 32 different sports.
If you are looking for a way to get into the spirit of the games this summer, start by hosting Olympics-themed events in your own backyard. Here are a few ideas for games, decorations, and food:
Events
Archery: Start by creating your own bow and arrows with small branches, adding a string to complete your bow. Instead of a sharp point, glue a cotton ball to one end of the arrow. For a fun game, dip the cotton ball tip into paint and try out your skills on a paper target.
Volleyball: Challenge yourself with a pint-sized version of volleyball. Players will get into the crabwalk position and only touch the ball with their feet. Lower the net to just above the players’ heads or use a rope or pool noodles in place of a net. For a lighter ball, use a balloon or beach ball.
Golf: If it is a warm day, challenge the golfers to a putting obstacle course. Make round golf balls in a circle ice cube tray. Players must get their ball through the obstacle course before the ball melts. If the game takes place indoors using a regular ball, blindfold the golfer and have his partner give him directions to get his ball through the obstacle course. Use mini cones, boxes, or croquet hoops to make the course more challenging.
Basketball: The outdoor version of this game requires water balloon basketballs and a kitchen colander net. One player will wear the colander on his head while another player tries to get the water balloon in the basket. Points are given to the team with the most baskets, and bonus points are counted for the balloons that don’t break. The inside version of this game is played the same way, just without water. The balloons will be more difficult to sink when they are filled with air.
Sailing: This game can be played with a kids’ pool. Players will use sailboats made of pool noodles and a paper sail. Each opponent will float their boats one at a time and try to get them across the pool by waving a paper fan to create a breeze. Time the boaters to see who can get their boats across the fastest. Another version of this game can be played if you have a running stream. All boats can be sailed at once to see who makes it to the destination first.
Shooting: For this game, fill water guns with colored water. Players aim their water guns at a white cloth target (old sheets or tablecloths work well) to see who the best shot is. The indoor version of this game is to use Nerf guns and plastic cups. Players try to knock over the paper cups to reveal the prize inside.
Decorations
Inexpensive decorations can be found at the dollar store. Use colored tissue paper to create flames inside vases. Colored plastic tablecloths can be draped on walls. Wrap Olympic-colored yarns around foam wreaths to create Olympic rings. Use construction paper to create paper garland flags to hang at points of interest.
Food
Make it a simple buffet of Olympic-colored fruits, veggies, and Jello. You can also order food from around the world. Expand your menu to include more open-minded eaters or use kid-friendly versions of international foods such as Vienna sausages and French fries, or a taco or pasta bar.
Medals or Trophies
Simple trophies can be made by painting plastic wine glasses in silver and gold and gluing them to a cardboard base. You can create your own medals by attaching a ribbon to a silver or gold candy, cookies sprayed with Wilton Color Mist, Perler beads, or felt.
Summer Olympics By the Numbers
When you tune into the Paris 2024 Olympics, keep these comparisons in mind:
Diving off the 10 meter diving platform is similar to diving from the roof of a three-story building.
Water Polo players pass and carry a ball in a pool that is 1.8 meters deep, or approximately the height of a standard upright refrigerator.
The heaviest weapon used in fencing is the epee, which weighs 756 grams, or about as much as two empty ceramic coffee mugs.
Gymnasts execute precise movements on a balance beam that is only 10 centimeters wide, about the width of a paperback novel. The rings in men’s gymnastics are placed 250 centimeters off the floor, which is about the height of a standard ceiling.
