Family Home Evening Game: Sock Bags

This simple, yet fun, Family Home Evening game is played with easy-to-make sock bags, which are "bean bags" made from old socks. There are several variations to the game and any age can play! Letting children help make their own sock bags adds to the fun!

Items Needed:

• Old Socks
• Hard Beans (not cooked or canned)
• Scissors
• Large Pot, Bucket, or Box (something slightly heavy)

Preparation:

1. Have each person find a pair of old socks, they don't have to be matching, but don't have any holes.
2. Dump several beans into each sock until they are as large/heavy as you want. Smaller children can make smaller/lighter sock bags.
3. Tie the top of the sock by looping the sock around itself, but make sure to leave a little bit of space so the beans can move around.
4. If two or more people have the same color of socks they can mark their initial (or other symbol) on the sock with a marker, or if the socks are dark they can tie a colored piece of yarn around the knots.

Directions: Take the heavy pot, bucket, or box and place it several feet away. Everyone takes turns trying to toss their sock bags into the pot. If the game gets too easy push the pot farther away.

Variations: Here are some other ways to have fun with your sock bags.

• Try tossing the sock bags into the pot while blindfolded, with the left hand (or right if your left-handed), or backwards!
• Make an obstacle course with furniture (tables, chairs, etc.) and race around while balancing sock bags on your head... without using any hands! More skilled players should try balancing more than one sock bag. You can even make a timed race to see who can go the fastest and then try to break the family record.
• Play tag, but instead of touching someone they have to take someone's sock bag off their head. If your sock bag falls off you have to go back to a specific base to put it back on your head before you can try to take someone's sock bag again.
• If you have enough people play the tag game mentioned above and have everyone divide into to teams with two bases, one for each team.

Notes:

• If the games are too easy for older children make them hold their hands behind their back, use two or more sock bags, or play with their eyes closed/blindfolded.
• For younger children make smaller sock bags, let them move closer to the pot, or in races let them hold the sock bag on their head with both hands.

If you have a fun Family Home Evening Game please submit it!