Best Outdoor Yard Games to Motivate Outdoor Play for Your Kids

We're all familiar with the common refrain exhorted by parents everywhere, "Go outside and play!' As a parent, you'll get a lot farther ahead with that request/demand/ fervent desire if you have the right equipment stocked for your kids. Stocking right will insure success when you send them outdoors to play yard games--you might want to join them!

You need appealing, age-appropriate outdoor yard games, toys and equipment. Properly stocked, you will be helping your kids master skills they'll use forever. Mastery of skills leads to confidence building and self-esteem. Getting the right playground balls will really set you on a roll here.

Younger kids need to work on both small and large motor skills. It's a good ideal to have different types of balls, in a variety of sizes and textures. Variety impels exploration.

The right sized balls for your children will help them master the art of throwing and catching with precision. Balls that are worthy of your serious consideration include: textured rubber balls, inflatable beach ball, tennis ball, kick balls, volleyballs. This list could go on forever but these are the key ones you should consider stocking in order to create enthusiasm about outdoor yard games in your own yard.

Grade schoolers are beginning to check out 'real' sports. Foursquare only begins its popularity at this point. In some cases, adults are still playing this outdoor yard game classic--with a new ferocity never seen as children.

Badminton, volleyball and even bocce ball are good considerations to make your outdoor yard games more enticing for this age group.

It's also a good time to think about adding a basketball hoop and playing some pick-up games each evening. It's a great way to check in with your child about their day, become alerted to any impending issues or dramas before they escalate and simple de-stress from a busy day--works for both the adult and the child.

Middle schoolers will likely be getting more seriously into organized recreational or classic sports like soccer or softball but you can help here as well. Games like croquet, badminton and that new European sensation, Speedminton, are very popular with this age group.

One of the best middle school parties our kids attended last year included a night time game of Speedminton, with glow in the dark 'speeders' (shuttlecocks) and glow in the dark 'war paint' worn by the opposing teams. The kids had a blast and since it was in a neighbor's back yard--many of the locals came by to cheer and get in the act. Now some of the adults are playing too. This kind of outdoor game play can be infectious good fun.

When you let your imagination start roaming and stock up on the right toys, "Go outside and play!" can take on new dimensions as outdoor yard games move into the 21st Century. These yard games may be classic but they're keeping up with the times without question.

Go outside and play! Get the outdoor yard games that will make your back yard the neighborhood favorite!

Middle schoolers are getting so into Speedminton! Click on the link to find out what you may be missing!

View the original article here

Best Kites for Your Outdoor Adventure

On a bright sunny day, doesn't matter what season, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, like a beautiful kite soaring against a bright blue sky. It's just the best feeling in the world. The wind can be kicking it or just gusting gently and the effect is amazing, either way.

The beauty is more special because getting your kite at that elevation meant a special running start and good cardio workout; it is an accomplishment.

To help you have the best kite day as an outdoor adventure, I thought it would be helpful to give you some background about all the different kites that are 'out there' so you can pick the best kites for your skill level and artistic flair not to mention your fitness level.

My list of the top contenders for 'best kites' for your outdoor adventure:

1. Single liners: Diamond and delta are two single line kites that are fairly well known and popular because of their ease of use. They are known as "dowel sode" in the Far East because their shape emulates a Japanese sail shape that bears that title.

2. Sled kites: Sled kites usually have inflatable spars and are taking center stage on the beach and especially at kite festivals worldwide. You'll see many varieties-extra spars, vents, cutouts and more. The most attractive feature of these kites is their easy transportability and simple set up.

3. Diamond kites: In some folks' minds, diamond is synonymous with 'kite.' Diamond kites are considered by many to be 'idiot proof.' They have a good wind range but aren't capable of flying at very steep line angles.

4. Barn Door Kite: This is a 3-spar kite that's quite popular in Australia. Larger ones fly very well without a tail in light to moderate winds, the likely reason for their increasing appeal.

5. Rokkaku Kite: Sometime nicknamed, the "Rok", it has to be the Japanese kite that is most copied by Westerners. They are dramatic looking but most people that love this kite prefer getting up to altitudes of 400 feet in heaveir air,not using them in kite-fighting per popular stories of late. These kites are so stable that the tail is purely decorative, except perhaps in powerful winds.

6. Delta Kite: One of our particular favorites-this is the best kite for beginners. It's easy to launch, flies well even in a light breeze and will almost always sit at a good steep line angle. Deltas can be a bit less dependable in high gusts but in light winds or smoother breezes, they rank high!

There are so many awesome kites out there, it's hard to choose. Having some of this background might make it easier. Be sure to pick the best kite for your skill level and most likely wind intensity and you are to sure to have an outdoor adventure that soars! Go fly your kite and you know what? Your kite will be the best one ever!

Let's go fly a kite! Can you get yours off the ground and soaring, along with your spirits?

Find the best kites for your outdoor adventure right here! <==Just Click and soar to new heights!

View the original article here

History of Playground Design

With playgrounds we recognize both intelligent design and evolution as supportive of each other in the development of new ideas. We often find ways to marry form and function. Initially, playgrounds were developed by landscape architects looking to create public spaces that would bring communities together. Artists moved in to exert their influence and in the process more creative forms for playgrounds began to be explored.

So how did we get here? Today's traditional "post and platform" design wasn't always the norm.

By 1900 playgrounds appeared in major American cities and consisted of a sandbox and a cubist metal climbing apparatus known as a "gymnasium". By 1912 New York City decided these gymnasiums were unsafe and were removed from all parks. By the 1930's landscape architects took a serious interest in playground design and sculptor Isamu Noguchi introduced abstract concepts that helped give the modern playground a push forward.

After WW II the Baby Boom demanded more playgrounds. Most postwar urban playgrounds were designed for combined use between schools and parks. But throughout the fifties playground designers were split into two camps: recreational movement (fitness) and art. Play was a structured affair. The idea of unstructured play had not yet hit home. Safety surfacing development was slow, at best. The playground was limited to a sandbox, see-saw, slide and swings. During the 1950's attention was given to the "handicapped", ironically the result of wounded warriors from WWII and Korea arriving at the playgrounds with their children. Noguchi's famous 1952 design for the United Nations was rejected by Robert Moses and touched off a heated debate. The design was revolutionary but not understood and it never got built.

By the 1960's play components started to link together. Composite structures were being explored along with massive climbing structures made of wood and stone. The idea was to make playgrounds interesting and draw kids to them or else they would be back out on the streets - presumably up to no good. Not all playgrounds were post and platform. Adventure Playground in Central Park is a wonderful look back to this transitional period where art and play came together. Water moves down lengthy channels and collects in a basin where it drains - no standing water. There is sand, water, and climbing structures. Every Landscape Architect should make a pilgrimage to this historic park!

By the 1970's we entered the Age of Litigation. Suddenly the City of New York and Chicago found themselves in multimillion dollar injury settlements and parks began to close. Property values plummeted if they had playground equipment on them. Some NYC coops closed down. New York City eliminated see-saws and they remain on the blacklist. Insurance company premiums were so high that some cities decided to self-insure. By the 1980's this debacle started to calm down when the CPSC formed guidelines and NPSI (National Playground Safety Institute) set up a certification program for playground designers. Safety-engineered playgrounds followed the new recommendations or guidelines and now some states are mandating CPSC code.

Playgrounds came back stronger with creative climbers that encouraged children to use different muscles. Slides had enclosures at the top and higher sidewalls. It got safer in a hurry - it had to. By and large playgrounds became better and better and by 2004 what we had was a playground so safe it was hard to say "no way." At then end of the day we still get broken bones but they usually are with children who fall 2-3 feet or trip when running. Their bones are weaker and let's face it, there was always one or two kids in the class who were prone to wearing a cast. You can't blame the playground

Isamu Noguchi may be the father of the Natureground. His concepts are in use today: molded forms of earth create hills, slopes, curves from which playground equipment can be positioned around. Research shows when playground equipment is placed in a natural setting around trees, plantings, berms, boulders children use them more often and for longer periods. A playground dropped into a box or rectangle looks more institutional and is less appealing. Even children seem to possess an aesthetic sense and we designers notice these things.

We design consultants have to keep up with all these developments because it's our job to know these things. Sometimes we are the ones who bring things up to the manufacturers and they do listen to us. We might not get any credit but we have a hand in shaping some of the things you see out there.

John Graziano, CPSI, is a playground design consultant in the New York area. You can see more of his work at http://www.newyorkplaygrounds.com/

View the original article here

Image Stabilized Binoculars Explained

I used to think that a pair of binoculars was just a pair of binoculars. I thought that the more expensive models would give higher magnification and clearer images. I never really found that binoculars were very comfortable to use neither for observing wildlife nor for trying to spot the planets. This was before I discovered image stabilization technology. When I came to use a pair of image stabilized binoculars there was a bulky section in the centre which did not correspond with the old style binoculars I knew. This turned out to be the heart of the IS or Image Stabilization system. The result was obvious when I used the binoculars, clear focussed steady images, the binoculars were not at all tiring to use and were an absolute delight for the birdwatching I enjoy.

Of all the brands of optical instruments on the market one of the most prestigious is Canon. When I first read Canon IS Binoculars, I thought it was an advertising slogan like "Toys R Us".Canon is at the forefront of optical technology and never more so than with image stabilisation technology. The Canon IS Binocular range incorporates image stabilisation and this feature makes an enormous difference in use. This brand is my all time favorite for really good binoculars.

Image shake

When an optical device is hand-held it is impossible to avoid a certain amount of image shake. This problem is accentuated when the instrument is used in a moving vehicle, a boat or a plane. The normal solution is to mount the instrument on a tripod; this is fine for astronomical telescopes and in some circumstances for cameras. If the telescope or camera is not firmly fixed then the images seen or recorded will be out of focus.

Portability

One of the most important features of binoculars is that you can take them anywhere, they are great for observing sports events, wildlife as well as distant natural objects such as mountains, planets and stars. It is possible to tripod mount a pair of binoculars but it means that the ease of transport is reduced and the ease of rapid use as well. Anyone out hiking who wants to quickly observe some natural wildlife with as clearly focused a view as possible does not want to have to mount the binoculars on a tripod before getting a clear view.

In a moving vehicle or a boat the tripod is not a solution, the movement and vibration will be transmitted to the binoculars and you will get a blurred image. The more powerful the magnification the more noticeable will be the problem of shake. High powered binoculars are great for observing the Moon, and the stereoscopic effect of the binoculars will give a more realistic view than a telescope, however if the image is not sharp the observations will be less than satisfactory and tiring for the eyes.

The image stabilizer system

The image stabilizer system developed by Canon gets rid of these problems in quite an awesome way. It works marvellously whether you are observing the Moon or a humming-bird from a short distance.

Binoculars are small and portable because they contain a series of reflective prisms as well as the lenses which magnify the images. The Canon stabilisation system uses advanced electronic motion sensors which vary the angle of the prisms to compensate for any movement, a high-speed micro computer incorporated into the binoculars monitors the process continually and the result is a very reliable and stable image with fantastic definition. The system takes into account movement in any direction and means that whatever you are doing be it observing an elephant from a moving jeep, following the gold medal winner at the athletics track, following a soaring eagle in flight, or observing Saturn from the top of a mountain, the image is always absolutely sharp and in focus

Pietre O Donnell is a writer with an engineering background who is a keen hiker, birdwatcher and amateur astronomer. You can check out his latest website by clicking here He explains in clear language the features to look out for when buying binoculars, what the technical specifications mean and what is the background to his favorite brand Canon Binoculars their history and technological innovations and much more.

View the original article here

Photographer Sol Neelman Loves Weird Sports and Sharing Them With Us

If you thought you'd seen everything, you probably have not seen the photos from photographer Sol Neelman who travels the globe in search of the world's strangest competitions. There are many weird sports out there that you may never have dreamed existed and now, thanks to Neelman, you can learn more about them through photos.

Here are 10 of the most unusual and exciting weird sports Neelman has to share:

The Kaiju Big Battel is a mix between Japanese anime and professional wrestling that shows off the participants skills in a very humorous way.
Have you ever heard of Underwater Hockey? It's sometimes called "octopush" and instead of pushing the puck around an ice-rink, players are pushing it around on the floor of a pool.
When you combine gymnastics, capoeira and soccer to the sport of volleyball, you get Bossaball equipped with trampolines on both ends of the playing court.
Snow Polo is an amazing game similar to the traditional Polo but players are on top of horses in a snow-covered arena. The horses wear special shoes to help with traction.
The Pillow Fight League really puts on a show when these women gather together, go wild and fight each other with pillows. What an interesting way to cut loose and let out some anger.
Surfing is not just for humans anymore. Both small and large dogs are getting in on some of the action when they go Dog Surfing. In this sport, the dogs surf alone or with their owners and it's one heck of a sport.
One of the "Arctic Winter Games" includes an event called Pole Push in which two teams grab hold of the opposite end of a pole and each team tries to push the other team to the outside of the ring.
Vancouver holds an unusual competition called the Ultimate Firefighter Competition in which the participants compete in a variety of events to see who is the best and fastest.
Soccer is an amazing game that's fun to play or watch but here's something I bet you never thought you'd see. Blind Soccer is one exciting and powerful game that is played by four blind athletes and a goalkeeper who is visually impaired or sighted competing in a game of soccer in a field that has a wall around it.
Racing in a kayak is exciting but when the kayak is make from a giant pumpkin that can weigh as much as 800 pounds, a whole new sport is born called the Giant Pumpkin Kayaking and it's one exciting race.

These are just a few of the amazing pictures that photographer Sol Neelman has to share when it comes to weird or unusual sports. His photography is amazing and the sports themselves are intriguing. I can't wait to see more.

Sports Zone Media is your #1 source for all things sports. Here you will find news, articles, updates and more on your favorite sports topics, professional teams, youth coaching, high school sports and health/nutrition.

Lisa Mason has been writing professionally since 1998 with a specialty in Internet content. A youth coach with a passion for a variety of sports, she founded Sports Zone Media to combine her love of sports and writing.

View the original article here

Shuffleboard - History Is Repeating Itself With This Great Game!

While the full history of Shuffleboard is hazy, here's what we do know: it was played throughout Europe over 500 years ago. It was a gambling game for King Henry VIII who forbid commoners to get in the game at all. British records reveal that Henry paid off shuffleboard debts as 'royal expenses' in 1532 so he may have been elitist but at least he paid up when losing.

In the old days, Shuffleboard was also known as Shovelboard, Sioelen and Shove Ha'penny. Very British sounding indeed.

Due to its past associations with cruise ships and retirement homes and because it doesn't promote great physical fitness, the game has come to be associated as a 'geezer' game but that is rapidly changing in Century 21.

Sometimes people like to get together and play just for fun. Sometimes they don't want a full physical workout but a relaxing game to enjoy with friends and family in person. Away from their iPads and computers. Shuffleboard fits this bill beautifully.

In traditional deck shuffleboard, a player uses a stick, known as a tang, to push weighted disks, known as cues or biscuits along a wooden or plastic surface. The idea is to place the cue within the triangular scoring zone at the distant end of the court. In the old days, this was actually called "sending the biscuit" but propriety forbids me to reveal some of the terms now used for this maneuver. We have both "clean" and not so clean versions, depending on whether we are playing en famille or adults only.

The pinnacle of the triangle score zone points towards the shooter and is divided horizontally into 4 smaller zones, each zone representing a certain point value. If the cue lands within the triangular 'tip,' without touching any borders of the triangles, the player receives 10 points. If the cue lands in the second tier of the triangle, it is worth 8 points and the lower tier is worth seven points.

A shooter can actually lose points if the cue land in the trapezoidal '10 off' section. A game is played in frames of 10 with individual players or teams taking turns. A great feature of shuffleboard is that the game can accommodate a number of players.

The basic winning concept is to get the opponent team's cues out of the positive score zone and increase one's own score in the process. It can get surprisingly vicious, but in a good way.

The game is catching on--sort of a retro-game revisited. It's definitely not limited to the old folks anymore. There are also now table top versions making it into so-called 'man caves' all over the place.

There's a reason for these renewed incarnations--shuffleboard is awesome fun! Everyone loves to play and it is inclusive--just about everyone can do it. Are you in?

In the mood to push the biscuit? Whatever you call it, get ready to have fun when you play Shuffleboard!

View the original article here

Top Hand Position Can Make All The Difference for the Lacrosse Goalie

Eye. Thumb. Ball. He told me.

The young goalie had read a book on the internet about top hand position for the lacrosse goalie. "Eye. Thumb. Ball. Eye. Thumb. Ball." he repeated.

The stick was in front of his face and about a third of the goalie stick was covering his face. Not good when we're trying to cover as much surface area as we can.

While I appreciate the eye, thumb, ball rule, I'd like to add to it just a little bit. The purpose of this eye, thumb, ball idea was to help young goalies get their hands up. However, what I have seen over the years is that this hand position is a bit high for most goalies and it brings the stick too much in front of the face of the goalie.

I would like to modify the eye, thumb, ball rule to shoulder, hand, ball. This cue reminds the goalie to keep the hand as high as the shoulder first, which is what most goalies need. Without coaching most lacrosse goalies hold their hands way too low and in towards their chest. This is not optimal as the head of the stick is covering the body. We want to maximize the coverage of the surface area of the goal by moving the hand out towards the stick side which...

... we do by moving the hand in front of the shoulder. I find that this is a very simple cue that all goalies understand. Keep the hand as high as the shoulder and then keep the hand in front of the shoulder. "High and in front." is the short way to say it.

By keeping the shoulder high and in front of the shoulder I find that the goalie has the correct height of the hand position and the proper distance to the outside so that the stick isn't covering the face or shoulder.

The one exception I find is with very tall goalies. For tall goalies they can lower their top hand position if, by having the hand shoulder high, the top of the stick extends above the cross bar. This is wasted coverage, and although the stick is covering the body a bit by moving the hand down, they are now able to shorten the distance to low shots and are able to make more saves.

For short goalies, they should not try and raise their hands higher than their shoulder to try and cover the upper portion of the net because they are compromising their stance too much. Young goalies, especially ones who are growing, should not compromise stance to cover the upper portion of the cage. Be patient, you will grow young Jedi. And when you grow you will finally have the height to go along with the great movement to the ball that you have honed over the last many years.

So remember, "Shoulder high and in front of the shoulder" will give you a great base to move to the ball effectively.

Jonathan Edwards is "The Goalie Guru" to thousands of lacrosse goalies, parents and coaches. His website http://www.lacrossegoalietips.com/ is read in over twenty-two countries and you can subscribe to his free lacrosse goalie newsletter there. So for the latest tips and tricks to be the best lacrosse goalie you can be go to http://www.lacrossegoalietips.com/

View the original article here

Youth Sports at Its Best - Compete AND Have Fun

Sports are enjoyable...

Sports are fun...

Sports are exciting....

All positive sentiments, aren't they? Well, in theory, that is what they should be. We have all heard how positive, in so many different regards, that sport can and should be in a participant's life. Individuals start playing youth sports as early as four years old and continue playing well into their social security years. (We have a few of those guys playing in our adult rec hockey league!)

Sports are supposed to be all of those things. After all, it is a GAME that is played, right? You spend time with friends, make new ones, have a snack or two and have stories to tell for the rest of your life. We especially like to think these sentiments are true when kids are playing.

Unfortunately, some kids are not enjoying their sports experiences as much as we think, or hope. A survey done by i9 Sports suggests that are some issues that we need to be aware of when it comes to kids enjoying their athletic experiences.

Of 300 children surveyed (8 - 14 years old), 84 percent said that they wish they had more fun playing sports. 84 percent also said that they wanted to quit at one time because of a variety of reasons; lack of enjoyment, conflicts with teammates, too many practices. Close to one third said that they would rather not have their parents watch their games.

There is such a negative connotation with parents and their involvement in their kids' sports that some youth sports leagues have made rules, or at least highly suggest that the parents coming to games not do any cheering at all. Some feel that silencing parents will ease the pressure some of their comments put on the kids.

The study also showed that 42 percent of kids would rather play video games than play sports. The following are more than startling numbers to me; 20 percent said that they have seen a physical fight between players, 59 percent had seen a verbal fight between players, and 36 percent had seen a verbal fight between parents.

Some tough numbers to swallow, for sure and can help explain why some kids do not enjoy their sports experience as they should.

I believe kids can enjoy being involved in a youth soccer, youth football, youth baseball, youth hockey, etc. league, but there needs to be a complete commitment from the entire sports community. So, what are some things that can contribute to a positive youth sports experience?

First, the negativity needs to be put to a halt. That comes from both parents and coaches. .

As parents, we just need to think a little bit before we say what we want to say to our kids. You are toughest on your own and it is hard not to be right to the point when talking to your son or daughter about their sports experience. After they have struck out three times with the bases loaded, your own frustration might come out when talking to that player after the game.

"You left a ton of guys on base tonight" might add more fuel to an already smoldering fire of frustration and disappointment that your child is already feeling. How about commenting on their 'at bats', instead? Were they swinging and missing? If so, perhaps comment on the fact that they were up there trying to get a hit and maybe just faced a tough pitcher.

Even better, ask open ended questions. Have the child tell you how they felt about their performance. Try and be as matter of fact as possible when asking, too. Your child comprehends what a poor performance is and what is not.

If he or she offers up some part of their game that is lacking, offer to try and help in some way. "Boy, that guy was throwing so fast tonight. I just couldn't get my bat around fast enough." Maybe, jump in with an offer to throw batting practice, or take him or her to a local batting cage and turn up the speed to get them used to faster pitches.

I'm a parent and a coach. I get caught up in some of this, as well. You feel like your child, or a player that you are coaching, can do better. In the heat of the moment out comes "What kind of a play was that?", rather than being calm and thinking of a 'teaching' moment you can bring to that situation. That might be after the inning is over, the game is over or the next practice.

My daughter struggled on the community swim team when she swam competitively for a few years. She started swimming late, by competitive standards, and was not a natural swimmer. My goal was to think before I spoke and find some ways to be positive, encouraging and also to try and help her want to get better. It was a lot of fun for her. She gained some great friends and had a good sports experience. It wasn't all me, either. She had coaches who worked with her and other parents who were constant streams of support for her, as well.

She has gained an interest in tennis now, at age 13, in hopes of trying to play competitively in the next couple of years. I love my daughter dearly but she's not the most gifted athlete.

After squirming in my chair and rubbing my forehead a number of times as I saw her swing and miss at multiple balls tossed to her in drills, I took a deep breath and a moment before talking to her about her first session. That especially hit home as I saw her walking off of the court with a big smile on her face. Instead of hammering her on how timid she seemed or on how she wasn't focusing on the ball hitting the racket (after the fifth mis-hit in a row), I took another approach.

After seeing that smile, I realized she had fun, so I asked her if she indeed enjoyed herself. When she emphatically said "Yes!" I threw in a couple of open ended questions. I asked her first what she thought were her strengths and then what she thought she needed to work on for the next session. This gave her an opportunity to express herself objectively and reinforcing to herself the good and the challenging aspects of her game.

I am convinced that you can be a positive influence on your kids and a sense of encouragement without quashing their ability to improve and compete. I do not think that those two concepts are mutually exclusive. However, I believe that those harsh streaks can be hard to overcome, but as anything, if it is something you work on consistently that mindset can be changed for the better.

As a coach, player and parent I understand the value of proper training. Get the training you need off to a fast start with this free guide! Whether you are trying to make the 1st team varsity squad or simply a weekend warrior, kick your program into gear for free right now... Grab your free "Jump Start Your Training" guide at http://www.athletictrainingnow.com/.

View the original article here

Circuit Karting: The Options

Circuit karting is a brilliant form of entry level motor racing. All the thrills and excitement of F1, but at an accessible level. Of course, some people take their karting very seriously and spend years honing their skills. It's even become a popular proving ground for future stars of F1; Ayerton Senna and Louis Hamilton both began their careers in circuit karting. But it's not just as simple as jumping in your kart and racing off. There are karting circuits all around the UK and each offers a selection of different racing options.

Track Drive Experience

Perhaps you're new to the world of karting and just want to try it out for fun. Track drive experience does what it says on the tin; it allows up to 10 karts to go out on the track for no other reason than to drive. No racing, no trophies, no competition. If you do have a bit more experience behind the wheel, then track drive experience sessions are a great opportunity to get some practice in without having to worry about your position or form.

Track Race Experience

The next step up. Track race experience makes for a short, sharp race with a limited number of competitors (generally around 10 karts). They're the perfect place for novice drivers to begin, whilst more experienced karting enthusiasts will enjoy the more intense driving experience they offer. Don't worry if you lack confidence, each race only lasts for around 15 minutes - that's 40 laps plus a 10 lap qualifying session. Trophies go the three top placed drivers and every competitor gets a precise printout of their lap times.

Endurance Circuit Karting

The Le Mans of the karting world - in fact, an annual 24 hour endurance race is held at Le Mans every year. For those of us booking a place at our local karting circuit, however, the average endurance race is unlikely to last quite that long.

Endurance circuit karting races are available in both solo and team configurations. Solo races will generally last somewhere between 40 and 100 laps with an additional 10 lap practice session to get your grid positions. The scoring is simple; the first three finishers get the trophies. Team endurance circuit karting sessions will be longer, around 60-120 laps (or 1-2 hours). Here, team mates will hot seat in relay fashion, driving the same car in an effort to secure the best times. In team circuit karting, the aim isn't necessarily to finish first, but to complete the most circuits in the time allowed. Just like Le Mans. Most karting circuits will offer a range of race lengths and will likely have a minimum age requirement.

So, whether you're a novice or an expert, you'll find the circuit karting experience to suit you. Find your nearest local karting circuit and book your first (or seventy-ninth) race today.

View the original article here

Some Things to Think About Before Buying a Themed Chess Set

We are all familiar with the pieces of a standard chess set - the kings and queens, the bishops, the knights, the rooks and of course, the pawns. But have you ever seen a chess set where the king and queen are the spitting images of Homer and Marge Simpson, and the pawns are miniature versions of Bart?

A Simpson-themed chess set is just one of many novelty sets that you can choose from these days. Although standard chess sets remain to be the bestsellers, themed chess sets have definitely increased in popularity over the years, and it's not difficult to see why. After all, who wouldn't be delighted to see their favorite characters come alive in an exciting game of chess?

Attractive though they may be, one needs to take some time before deciding on buying a themed chess set. These are merchandise that you don't simply buy on a whim. In order to avoid buying something that would turn out to be not what you wanted at all, it would help to take a few important things into careful consideration first.

Price

Many themed sets can be rather expensive, particularly the ones that are available in limited editions. There are some sets that are reasonably priced but there are also others that cost several thousands of dollars.

Even if you have already decided on which particular set to buy, it is advisable to do some comparison shopping first before you make the actual purchase. You can do this both online and in traditional stores - the more outlets you check, the better your chances of finding the best deal.

Longevity

The novelty of a themed chess set can quickly wear off. For example, you may be pretty stoked about getting a Hello Kitty chess set today but you may feel quite silly playing with it a few years down the road when your interest in the cute beribboned cat has diminished. You may even be too embarrassed to let people know that you have it and so instead of taking it out to play with when you have company, you'll just keep it buried underneath a pile of junk in the attic or the deepest recesses of your closet.

Of course, this does not happen all the time. In fact, there are some classic themed sets that just get even better as they age. The point is to try and think of how you would feel personally about your themed chess set, say, ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now. You just definitely wouldn't want to buy something that you will want to get rid of in a few years time.

Material

Some people buy chess sets to play with while others buy them to use as decorations in the house. Themed chess sets, in particular, are more frequently used as decor because they not only look very interesting but they also make for excellent conversation pieces for your visitors.

Before you buy a themed chess set, you first need to decide whether you are going to use it primarily as a display or if you are actually going to use it in actual games. Your decision will determine a number of different factors regarding the set, such as the type of material that the pieces can be made of. Fragile materials like glass and some kinds of wood would be perfect for a display piece but not so much for a set that would be played with on a daily basis.

If you expect your chess set to be used frequently, then it should ideally be made of a sturdy material that is not easily prone to breaking or scratching. Many themed sets are made of wood, but there are also ones that are made of plastic, which are ideal for younger players.

Aside from these considerations, you would also have to realize that playing with a themed chess set can be rather confusing, especially if you are used to using a regular chess set. With some sets, it can be pretty hard to distinguish between the different pieces. Before making each move, you may have to look closely to determine which is which, and this added task can certainly distract you from the actual game.

If you are not really that eager to have a themed set and are only interested in getting one for the purpose of novelty, then you may want to think twice before making the purchase. Furthermore, if you are a serious chess player, there are many classic sets that would probably suit you better.

On the other hand, if you are truly interested in getting a themed set, either for purposes of display or gifting to a special person, there are several great options that you can choose from. Just make sure to take your pick carefully so that you can be sure to get your money's worth.

View the original article here

Games Bring The Family Together

These days, many families don't get nearly enough quality time together. For those who would like to get their family together and engaged in a healthy activity, outdoor games can be a great option. These family games get everyone together in an enjoyable activity that boasts the added bonus of providing exercise, which is another thing that many families want more of. There are many great outdoor games to choose from. Below are some suggestions for people who want ideas for family games to try out.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a great game to get the family outdoors playing together. Unlike many games that require piles of equipment to play, for this one you only need a net and ball. Divide everyone up into even teams and pick a side of the net. You earn points by grounding the ball on the other team's side of the net. This simply means making them miss the ball so it lands on the ground.

Corn Hole

This is a fun game that even the youngest members of the family can participate in. Boards with holes in them called cornhole platforms are propped up, and small sacks filled with corn are tossed into the holes to score points. If the bag lands on the platform it scores one point, and a bag that makes it in the hole scores three. The corn hole game goes until a player makes it to 21 points.

Washer Toss

This game is similar to corn hole, but has a slightly different set up. Instead of corn bags washer toss uses standard metal washers, and the boards have three holes instead of one. The closest hole is worth one point, the next three, and finally the farthest is worth five. This game is also played to a final score of 21 points. It is most often played with two teams of two people.

Croquet

Croquet is a sport that has been adapted to a lawn game for recreational play. Players use a mallet to hit balls through hoops called wickets. There are many versions of croquet, each with their own rules, but the main goal, in all of them, is to get your ball through all the hoops before the other team does. Games can be played with two teams of either two or three players each.

Tetherball

Tetherball is a game played with a volleyball hung from a stationary pole by a length of rope. It is played between two competitors, who each try to hit the ball counterclockwise from their position. A player wins when they manage to hit the ball enough times to get the rope wrapped completely around the pole with no slack left. They must do this without the ball bouncing back and partially unwrapping or the game keeps going.

Any of these games are a great way to get your family out of the house spending quality time together, and getting a healthy amount of exercise. So the next time you have some free time together as a family, turn off the television set and head outdoors to engage in one of these great team games.

For a great selection of games and backyard sports for the whole family please visit our store http://www.kandyvines.com/ There's no better time than the present to get things started. Indoor and outdoor family games are one of the least expensive ways to create family togetherness.

View the original article here