Wacky Ball and other newly invented games

It's been another peak season for new games coming from the kid crowd, including this weekend's new release, Wacky Ball. It's easy to learn and while the regulation equipment may incur some cost, it's pretty easy to find substitutes.

Equipment needed:

1. Plastic bowling set (with 10 inch pins)

2. Pool noodles

3. 4 walls and a decently smooth floor. 

Recommended equipment:

Winter gloves

Knee pads

How to play:

Basically, you sit on the floor and try to hit the bowling ball past your opponent's pool noodle using a bowling pin. They try to block it and get it through yours. As the creator says, 'It's like bowling and hockey and ping-pong mixed together." 

Variations: You can use the extra pins as obstacles on the court. If you knock them down, you get a point and your opponent loses one. Or, vice versa. Whichever way you want to play. 

Other rules to know about: 

1. No touching the ball with your hands on purpose. Except for when you are getting it out of the goal area.

2. If the ball rolls back into the court after you hit it past the pool noodle, there is no point.

3. If the ball hits a wall, it's still in play. On some courts, there may be what is called a "dead zone"--a spot where the ball just can't be hit unless you bring it back onto the court (you can use your hands for this). Bring it back onto the court and put it in the middle and have a hit-off. 

4. If you accidentally hit the ball into your own goal, it is called an "incident" and doesn't count as a score.

5. If the ball goes into your goal, you get to hit the ball first on the next play.

And another note, if the ball jumps over the pool noodle, it is called a pop-shot. 

Another game that is trending can also use the plastic bowling balls from the bowling set. Basically, each player has a bowling ball (or other kinds of ball) and you are rolling them at each other and trying not to let them get past you. You can have as many players as you want, and you just keep the balls moving. No points, and I wasn't told whether a player gets out, but I doubt it. Mostly, the goal is to have maximum ball chaos.

Finally, a new sport is emerging: Olympic sliding. This takes playground slides to a whole new level. There are a variety of slide techniques, and it is crucial to stick the landing. There are also pairs and team events. While it's not yet an official Olympic sport, it's still early days, and don't be surprised if you hear your pre-schooler voice his dream of being an Olympic slider.