The grass is more than just a big, boring place of green space. It’s a playground waiting for you, and wheelchairs are more than welcome! But you need to know which games to play for guaranteed fun. No one likes playing a game they can only half-ways participate in.
There are a zillion games you can buy for your backyard, but there are only a few that are especially awesome! I’ve chosen three of my favorite garden games, some of the oldest ones you can find, that are totally wheelchair accessible.
Bocce Ball: This game is an ancient sport that’s been around since Roman times – over 2,000 years ago. Bocce, meaning “ball” in Italian, is super easy to play and is even a Paralympic sport. Players toss hard plastic balls towards a tinier goal “Jack” ball, that’s placed out in the grass at the start of each game. The player throws their ball towards the Jack and the player with the ball closest to it wins. You can also hit other player’s balls out of the way.
If you can’t throw the ball, ramps are available to push the ball down, so your ball can get some air. And if you can’t bend over to pick up the ball, no problem! Bocce ball is usually played in teams, so when you play, there will be someone around to help. You can also try using a reusable grocery bag to pick it up. Just roll it into the bag, then pick up the bag by the handle to set in your lap. Watch out: this sport is addictive!
Croquet: If you love Alice in Wonderland, you’ll know about croquet. It was the favorite sport of the Red Queen and she took it very seriously. Playing this game is tons of fun if you’re fond of hitting balls! The goal is to hit your ball with your mallet through metal hoops, which are placed throughout the lawn before the start of game. Croquet comes from the country of Harry Potter – England, and is a sport played by kings and queens, and now you too!
If you can’t hold the mallet, there are crutch handles to help you out (check out this picture of a child using an arm crutch to hold a mallet).
Badminton: If you like tennis but you can‘t play, definitely try out badminton. Badminton is a shrunken version of tennis and can be easily played from a wheelchair because the net is shorter and sits lower to the ground. The racquets are lighter, making them easy to hold. The “birdie” (the ball you hit when playing) is also super light. Wheelchair badminton is so awesome it’s scheduled to be the new Paralympic sport in 2012!
Lawn games have been around for a long time because they’re totally fun! Badminton, bocce ball and croquet can all be purchased at big stores like Target or Walmart. They don’t cost very much, so there should be no worries about mom or dad helping you get one. Now get out there and enjoy that green lawn before summer is gone!
Here’s a related post I wrote that you might enjoy reading, “Adapted Sports – Get Your Body Moving This Summer.”
Photo courtesy of Ryan Hyde
What are some of your favorite lawn games or other summer activities?
