fbpx
Order your kilts now, get 'em in time for the holidays. Shop for unforgettable gifts today!

HOMEBOUND HIGHLAND GAMES

Even though we’re Homebound we can still be Highlanders.

Just because we’re homebound doesn’t mean we can’t all still be Highlanders. In fact, current events have really leveled the playing field giving all of us a chance to have fun & participate. Participate in our games below and share your games and creations with us at #homeboundhighlander, or send them to seamus@sportkilt.com, and we’ll share them with the rest of the world. We can’t wait to see you all out (in) there!

Make a Flag for Your Clan

Because your whole Clan is at home and the games are about to begin, it might be a good idea to come up with a Clan name and a Clan Flag of your very own. You easily can create a Clan Flag from simple things around the house. Use the Clan pictures on the worksheet below, or draw your own. Don’t forget to color them in and good luck to your Clan !

 

Sporran Craft 

A sporran is like a pocket for someone wearing a kilt. Did you know that a traditional kilt has no pockets? That’s right! So, in order to have something to carry all your treasures, the Sporran was invented. 

Your little Homebound Highlanders can make their very own Sporran out of materials lying around the house. Print out our pattern onto heavy paper. Cut it out, color it, then glue or staple it together. Punch a couple of holes in the back, put a piece of string through the holes and boom, you’ve got a Sporran to tie around your waist.

The Noodle Toss (Caber Toss)

Perhaps the most famous of the Highland Games events, the Caber Toss involves large tree trunks, nearly as tall as telephone poles, flipped around like twigs! We’re not expecting you to lift large wooden poles around your living room, but we do have another idea.

Find a place in your home or backyard with enough empty room. Then grab a pool noodle and stand it upright using both hands underneath. Remember to mark one end so you can be sure if it has flipped. Toss and flip the pool noodle forward and see how straight you can get the noodle to land. Alternative objects to toss include: Rolling pins, brooms, or a baguette.

The Pillow Toss (Sheaf Toss)

When played at Highland games, competitors have to try and get a filled bag, or sheaf, over a high bar using only a pitchfork. Now, we don’t want you to bruise your ceiling, so instead of seeing how high you can toss your sheaf, let’s see if you can toss it over some household furniture.

Find a place in your home with enough empty room and a couch. Grab the biggest, heaviest pillow you have in your home and place it on the floor. Using a broom, swiffer duster, or hockey stick, attempt to toss the pillow up and over the back of the couch. For a tougher challenge, use something taller like a bookcase or dresser.

The Potato Put (Shot Put)

Shot put at the Highland games involves seeing which Highland athlete can throw a weight the farthest. The aim of our game is to also throw the farthest, but if you’re aiming to stay indoors, we’d recommend using a spud rather than a weight!

Find a place in your home or backyard with enough empty room. If you’re in your yard and can find a large stone, great. Use that! If not, grab a large potato from your kitchen. Compete with your family members to see how far you can toss the potato. Make sure you use the correct form, don’t just throw the potato.

Tug o’ Blanket (Tug o’ War)

Tug o’ war is a team sport with an ancient history, and versions of it have been played across the world for centuries. Usually it is played in teams where each team has to use all their strength to pull the other team across the line, but we found this also works well when rowdy siblings are playing against one other.

If you don’t have a rope, roll up a blanket or a scarf. Tape a line in the middle of the blanket/scarf. Mark a line on the floor in the middle of the playing space. Family members take either side of the blanket and start to tug. Whoever pulls the middle mark of the blanket over to their side wins. This game can also be played with your dog.

Homebound Dancing (Highland Dancing)

At Highland games, the National dances include the Scottish Lilt, the Earl of Erroll, Blue Bonnets, and many more which illustrate the history of dancing and other aspects of Scottish culture and history. However, dancing at home should just be about having and expending all your wee bairns energy as possible.

Choreograph your best 1 minute solo Scottish dance and perform it in your living room. Challenge your family members to battle you with their choreography. Home alone? Record your dance and send it to your friends to challenge them to do the same.