Garden games

There is nothing like a good garden game for keeping the kids (and the big kids) entertained at your barbecue party. Here we take a look at a few that test your brain, your nerve - and your flexibilty...

Giant chess

Somewhat less energetic than many garden games, chess is more of an exercise for the mind! Giant chess sets make for a real focal point at a barbecue, and allow everybody to watch the match in progress. Children enjoy moving the giant pieces for you, and the size of the board gives you a whole new perspective on the game.

Chess is often a slow game - which is ideal if you want to mingle with guests between moves, or if you have to flip the burgers once in a while. If you're happier with draughts, the pieces are available to buy - and the great thing is you won't need to buy a new board.

Tip: If children are playing before they've been allowed any burgers, be wary of flying horses!

Tower games

Great fun for large parties, tower games allow everybody to take part. Simply build the giant tower with the blocks provided, then, player by player, remove one block each. Whoever makes the tower tumble loses!

You could then eliminate this person from the next round, and continue to do so until you have a winner. Alternatively, make the tower-tumbler pay a forfeit - a popular one being to build up the tower again ready for the next game

Tip: Don't play in high winds or near the family pet!

Limbo & Get Knotted

Limbo is a classic game which certainly separates the supple from the slightly-less-supple!

Loosen up, lean back and limbo under the bar - then lower it! Everybody can play, as you can set the bar to a different height for children.

'Get Knotted' also requires a little physical flexibility. Throw the dice and they will tell you where on the mat you need to place your hands or feet. Sounds easy, but not when there are another ten people on the mat with you! As positions get tougher, balance will be lost - keep playing until only one person remains untoppled.

It's a real ice-breaker at a barbecue party as you could end up very close to somebody you don't really know all that well!

Tip: Both of these games are best played before you've eaten, or when everthing has been properly digested!

Play it safe!

You can make a garden game out of pretty much anything if you put your mind to it. But whether it's a gentle, sit-down mind game or an energetic sack-race, it's probably best to put the barbecue away before you start.

If members of your party are playing games while the cooking process is taking place, keep them well away from the barbecue and make sure someone is keeping an eye on the grill at all times.