Winterizing: Prepare the House for Snow-Day Activities!
Here's how to set up your home for when you can't play outside
Housebound days are a lot more fun with options like billards, foosball, air hockey, ping pong, rock climbing, basketball—or even something as simple as a game of Chutes and Ladders
With winter right around the corner, it's time to nest. If you don't want to see the kids plopped in front of the television or hear your husband smack-talking a 12-year-old over his dorky X-Box headset, you're going to need alternatives. This may be as elaborate as putting a big holiday gift like a foosball table on layaway or as simple as pulling out that old checkers board. Whichever game you opt for, you need a place to play. Here are some interiors that are set up for fun.
With winter right around the corner, it's time to nest. If you don't want to see the kids plopped in front of the television or hear your husband smack-talking a 12-year-old over his dorky X-Box headset, you're going to need alternatives. This may be as elaborate as putting a big holiday gift like a foosball table on layaway or as simple as pulling out that old checkers board. Whichever game you opt for, you need a place to play. Here are some interiors that are set up for fun.
A billiard room needn't be dark and smoky. Sunny yellow felt on the table in lieu of the traditional green adds an artful pop to this cheerful attic room.
What was your favorite winter pastime as a kid? For me, it was air hockey, which my brother and I would play by the hour in the basement. The table was one of our all-time favorite gifts from our parents.
This indoor hockey rink will keep kids entertained on an icy day. Here, the entire room is dedicated to the game, but you can simply set up a goal at each end of the the basement and let the kids take it from there.
Ping pong's resurgence shows no signs of slowing down. With a table at home, you don't need to pay through the nose to play at some loud club in Manhattan.
This bedroom encourages foul-shot practice.
A rock wall keeps little climbers busy solving problems without having to leave the house.
Foosball always makes me think of Joey and Chandler on Friends, who decided to forego a kitchen table to have room for their beloved foosball table. They had the right idea; this table looks just fine as part of a living room or media room.
Ping pong, air hockey, pinball—I'd take this rec room over an X-box any day.
You can channel your inner Rocky Balboa at home with a punching bag; it sure beats chasing a chicken around an alley. Just be sure to work with a contractor to ensure the beam can handle the weight.
Usually only seen on MTV Cribs, an indoor home basketball court is the ultimate way to use up some square footage.
Alright, let's be real; that b-ball court is bigger than my entire house. The perfect spot for bridge, chess or even Chutes and Ladders is important for long winter evenings and much more realistic in most homes. Another fun idea is to keep a puzzle laid out on a card table for everyone to work on when the mood hits.
While a poker table doesn't have to be housed in a dark yet swanky room, it certainly looks more stylish when it is.
If you take your Casino Night parties seriously, consider adding a craps table.
Wild Sports® Bean Bag Toss -
Finally, annoying hipsters seem to have moved from ping pong to Corn Toss, and I have to admit, this game is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! It's fun to play, easy to learn and inexpensive. The best part? You don't need a ton of space to play.
More:
Game Rooms: Carve Out a Place for Fun
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More:
Game Rooms: Carve Out a Place for Fun
Landscape Trends: Bocce Ball Courts
8 Ingredients for the Perfect Football Party Room