THE ANTI BORED GAME

At Play wants you to have some fun this summer, and play just like you did when you were a kid. Why not make a game of it?

Becky Schlikerman

Jun 21, 2007

THE OBJECTIVE: Play like a kid. All you have to do is grab your friends and family and start at the first block.

THE RULES:

1. Don’t take it too seriously.

2. It doesn’t matter whether you win, lose or even keep score, as long as you play.

3. Skipping game squares is allowed.

4. Finding other games is allowed.

5. There is no time limit.

SCORING: Give yourself one point for every activity you complete.

0-3: Wow. How’d you fit all that in between “The Golden Girls” reruns?

4-6: Pretty good! You’re not averse to a little childlike fun.

7-9: What are you, 12? Good for you! We hope you weren’t injured.

START

Let’s roll

For a nostalgic experience that goes full circle, lace up those forgotten roller skates and take a spin. Try Orbit Skate Center (615 Consumers Ave., Palatine; 847-394-9199) or Tinley Park Roller Rink (17658 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park; 708-532-4021).

DIZZY FROM SKATING IN A CIRCLE? ADVANCE TO KITE-MAKING WORKSHOP?

GO FLY A KITE

Head to the Kite Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden and watch stunt kite performance. Kids can join in the fun by being selected to participate in a kite-flying contest, and kids of all ages can make their own kite in the kite-making workshop. Free, $15 parking; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 11-12 at Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; 847-835-5440).

YOUR KITE GOT STUCK IN A TREE?

MOVE TO DODGEBALL AND KICKBALL.

DODGE ‘EM, KICK ‘EM

Satisfy your inner kid with a heart-pounding round of dodgeball or kickball. For leagues (most of which are in mid-play), check out the Chicago Sport and Social Club (chicagosocial.com), or try your local park district. But your best bet for this no-frills game is to pick up a ball, peruse the rules (dodgeballusa.com/rules, playerssports.net/kickball/rules.php), round up some pals and head to a park.

A LITTLE TOO MUCH OF A BALL? MOVE AHEAD TO ULTIMATE.

Toss your worries away with a game of Ultimate (formerly Ultimate Frisbee). Check out the rules at www.ultimate-chicago.com, browse their listing of pickup games, grab some victims and head out for some Ultimate. Or try Spun-a-Palooza, a 24-hour, $40 per person charity pickup game July 13-14 at the Darien Sportsplex (451 Plainfield Rd., Darien; 630-789-6666) benefiting the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. Contact Lisa Weaver, event organizer, at [email protected] for more info.

TOSSED OUT? MOVE TO PAPER DOLLS

Get creative and play with dolls at Chicago’s Art of Play Paper Dolls event. After a paper doll presentation from designers and illustrators, children and adults can create their own work of art.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 8, Chicago Tourism Center (72 E. Randolph St.; 312-744-2400).

YEAH, IT’S DAINTY.

MOVE AHEAD TO GAMES

PHARAOH PLAYED.

REALLY OLD-SCHOOL FUN

Expect the royal treatment after playing the same games as King Tut. A part of the city’s Art of Play summer programming, Games Pharaoh Played includes demonstrations, play time and a chance to make your own board game. Free, 1-4 p.m. July 22 at the Oriental Institute Museum

(1155 E. 58th St.; 773-702-9507).

NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS ROYAL. JUMP AHEAD TO PING-PONG.

PING-PONG

If you really want to test your coordination, why not play Ping-Pong while enjoying your favorite drinks? Try Happy Village (1059 N. Wolcott Ave.; 773-486-1512) or Streeters Tavern (50 E. Chicago Ave.; 312-944-5206)

FOR SOMETHING CLOSER TO HOME, MOVE TO BEANBAG.

PITCHERS & PITCHING

Beanbag, cornhole, beano, baggo — whatever name you use, this game stars in bars and back yards alike and is a true Chicago fave. Take your turn in a beanbag tournament amid German beer, music and culture every Tuesday at Carola’s Hansa Clipper (4659 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-878-3662), or try the expansive beer garden at Bottoms Up (1696 Thornton-Lansing Rd., Lansing; 708-418-3877).

FURTHER YOUR CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS. ADVANCE TO WORLD OF GAMES

Everyone knows exploring can be fun. Why not explore the games of the world? Check out World of Games, part of the city’s Art of Play events, to experience popular games from different cultures. Free, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Millennium Park (between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive at Washington Street; 312-742-1168).