Circus! Circus!

By Elizabeth Wells

Ladies and gentlemen...kids of all ages...step right up to the Greatest Show on Earth. Okay, maybe not the greatest show on Earth, but definitely a very good time, and you don't need tickets. Even if you can't make it to a nearby performance of the annual Ringling Bros. Traveling Circus this summer, you and your family still can enjoy three-ring (and five-star) fun in your own backyard of family room.

No one has to settle for simply being an audience member, either. This home produced circus gets everyone into the act with easy-to-set-up, easy-to-play games. Invite neighbors and friends, or keep the fun in the family. Either way, prepare some popcorn and get ready for some serious clowning around.

Three Ring Toss

• Fill several two-liter bottles with water or small rocks and seal tightly.
• Arrange the bottles on a table or the ground.
• Fashion three rings (about 4" in diameter) from twisted pipe cleaners (you may want to twist several together to add weight to the rings). Or use paper plates with the centers cut out.
• Line up the players several feet behind the bottles.
• Have players take turns tossing the rings on the bottles.
• If one "rings" a bottle, have that player step back one foot and try again.
  
  "We used Pepsi bottles with rocks and paper plates that had the middles cut out of them. They were hard to throw but we had fun," said one family from upstate New York.

Follow the Leader

• Place a favorite hat on the designated leader.
• The child with the hat leads everyone through a series of antics of his or her choice, such as hopping on one foot, twirling and performing summersaults.
• Use a timer to guarantee equal turns.
• There are no winners or losers. Everyone tries to mimic the leader.

A family from Ohio said they played follow the leader using a wizard hat. "This was such a simple game, and it gave big rewards. The kids played this game for 30 minutes or so," said their mother. "The hat did help everyone remember to take turns."

Clowning Around

• Gather a selection of face paints and paintbrushes.
• Depending on age, allow children or adults to paint the designs. Either paint the whole face or do simple designs such as ladybugs, butterflies, snakes, etc.
• Display a mirror. A hand-held mirror is perfect for quick peeks.
• Cold cream provides easy removal.

The Sypniewskis used face crayons and did full-face designs. "The kids took turns putting the makeup on one another," said mom Tricia.

Tightrope Walker

• Stretch a piece of rope or tape on the ground.
• Have them walk with or without a blindfold along the line. (If doing it blindfolded, it is best to have the walker go barefoot.)
• Spectators should "ooh" and "ahh" as each participant moves along the rope.
• Vary the walk to include a speed challenge, change of direction, or go backward.

The LaClairs used a piece of rope, a blindfold and an umbrella. "Everybody laughed and cheered for the person walking the tightrope!" said Peggy.

All this activity will make everyone hungry. Depending on your own energy level, you can offer an array of circus-style food for your gang, such as hot dogs, soft pretzels, nachos, animal crackers and sodas.  For authenticity, serve the snacks in paper lunch bags, and holler, "Hot dogs! Peanuts! Popcorn! Get 'em while they're hot!"

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