Outdoor fun and frolics
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
Family playing twister outside
By Jo Carlowe
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Bouled over!
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
A boules set
The throwing of boules began with the ancient Greeks. The French can\'t get enough of the game - some 17 million of them play it during the summer - they call it Petanque and describe the ‘jack\' (the target) as ‘cochonnet\' (French for piglet!). The idea is to get your ball as close to the jack as possible. You play it with a set of shiny silver balls courtesy of English Heritage www.english-heritageshop.org.uk The 8 polished alloy Boules comes with a carry bag, jack, measure and instructions, £16.99.
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Summer brain drain
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
A giant chess board
Giant garden chess means you can have it all: fresh-air, sunshine and a chance to flex your grey matter at the same time. The pieces here are weather proof, ideal for the garden and come with a PVC mat and carry box. The chess pieces are 10cm to 20.6cm tall, available from English Heritage www.english-heritageshop.org.uk at £39.99. For super-size chess try www.gardengames.co.uk with chess pieces between 43cm and 64 cm tall, to be weighted with sand or water, at £299.99.
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Standing to attention
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Hand-crafted skittles
These hand-turned solid wood skittles are aesthetically lovely, as well as fun to play with. The set (size approx 290mm or 11 ½ inches) is modelled on the British Royal Guard. Jaques of London also does sets of giant fireman skittles and enormous sailors. Each set contains six wooden skittles and three balls all made from hardwood to endure garden play. Skittles has existed in various forms in Europe since the 14th century and is the forerunner to Ten Pin Bowling (but without the dodgy shoes). Available at www.jaqueslondon.com priced at £49.
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Stay connected
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
People playing giant Connect Four
The pint-sized version of this game brings back memories of wet-playtimes but Hasbro has produced a giant edition standing at a massive 1.1m, which is ideal for the garden. For the uninitiated Connect Four is a classic game of strategy with players taking it in turn to drop counters into the frame to try and form a line of four, while blocking their opponent. It\'s like an over-sized version as noughts and crosses on steroids! Available from www.gardengames.co.uk at a cost of £169.99.
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John Prescott\'s game
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Croquet set
Croquet is said to be the game that inspired golf and billards and is quintessentially English, bringing to mind images of porcelain tea-sets and cucumber sandwiches. Not so long ago, former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, was ridiculed for betraying his working class roots when pictured playing it. But who can blame him when the game is social, fun and easily mastered. English Heritage www.english-heritageshop.org.uk offers a garden croquet set at £29.99. It\'s made from birch wood from sustainable sources and the game can be enjoyed by the whole family.
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Ludo-crous fun
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
Ludo outdoor game
Ludo, along with Snakes and Ladders was invented by John Jaques II of ‘Jaques of London\' - the company claims to be the oldest sports and games manufacturer in the world and is still managed by direct descendents of its founder. John Jaques\'s original Ludo board design is recreated in the form of a giant outdoor play mat, complete with hand-crafted solid wood and hand-stained Ludo pieces and a hand-made dice. Measuring 140cm x 140 cm the magnum outdoor Ludo set costs £79 from www.jaqueslondon.com.
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Sticky pursuits
summer,cheer me up,garden inspiration,game
Giant pick up sticks game
This one requires steady hands and steady nerves - probably not one to attempt after one Pimms too many. A giant version of the classic pick-up-sticks, whereby you score points for picking up a stick without disturbing the remaining bundle, this is great fun. Each coloured wooden stick is 90 cm long, they come in a colourful storage box. Unsuitable for children under 36 month. Available from English Heritage at £15.99. Visit: www.english-heritageshop.org.uk.
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Timber!!!
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Giant Tumble Tower set
Tumble Tower (a version of the popular game Jenga) is even better when the pieces get magnified to form a tower that\'s bigger than your children - standing at a whopping 4 feet! Handcrafted using New Zealand pine from sustainable sources, this tower is great for a summer\'s afternoon in the garden or park. A smaller version is also available as well as the more traditional indoor game. Available from Jaques of London at £79. Visit: www.jaqueslondon.com.
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Up and down
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Giant snakes and ladders
This is a fab garden addition perfect for parties of tipsy adults or energetic children. The giant version of Snakes & Ladders puts you in the heart of the game as you morph into a playing piece scaling the ladders and sliding down the snakes. The set contains a giant playing mat 3m square (10ft square), eight pegs and a gigantic inflatable dice. Available from www.gardengames.co.uk at £34.99.
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Flexible friends
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People playing limbo
This is a great one for embarrassing yourself or humiliating others. Loosen up and limbo down as low as you can. The beam is lowered until only the most bendy person can make it without collapsing into an ungainly heap or knocking down the pole. Upright poles are 5ft 6in (1.65m) and the cross beam 5ft.6ins (1.65cms) making it suitable for big and small people. Stocked by www.gardengames.co.uk at £24.99.
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Think your way to a better life
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