You can’t imagine how much fun your family can have by holding your own summer Olympics. Have family members of all ages compete for gold, silver or bronze medals. Here’s a sample of some of the events you may want to run.
Kick Off with an Olympic Torch Ceremony
Use ingenuity in creating an Olympic competition. One family used a charcoal hibachi and had a runner jog in with a tiki torch at the beginning of the competition to light their “Olympic flame.”
Double Dash (Three-Legged Race)
Grandparent and grandchild are teamed together for this race. Tie left leg of one partner to right leg of other. Partners learn teamwork to match strides and beat other teams.
Javelin Throw
Each participant blows the paper covering from a straw as far as he can using classic Olympic form, of course. The person blowing the cover the farthest wins. If paper-covered straws are not available, throw the straw. Person who throws the straw farthest wins.
Shot Put
Participants try to throw paper plate or Frisbee into washtub or container 10 to 15 feet away. Each participant has three attempts and is scored points for each successful try.
Marksmanship
Let five lighted candles provide targets for would-be marksmen armed with water pistols. Stand 3 to 4 feet from candles and try to squirt them out.
Creative Races
Vary 50- and 100-meter dashes by making up challenging races. In one race, have contestants blow cotton balls across piece of plastic. In another, have contestants race, carrying cotton ball, balloon or egg in a spoon. If you drop your load, you must start over.
Award Ceremonies
Ribbons & Medals
Award medals to winners of each event. Purchase medallions at trophy stores. Attach them to lengths of striped red, white and blue ribbon. Give points to winners of first, second and third places. Award medals to those who make the most points.
Taped Anthems
Present awards in true Olympic-style ceremonies complete with songs. Have each family branch choose its own anthem. Award prizes for first, second and third places at special ceremonies.
