Who says that indoor games need to stay inside?
Twister is actually a perfect example of a game designed to be played indoors, while also being integral to family games and fun since its invention in 1966.
And, for one thing, it is just about perfect for playing outside. But how do you actually play Lawn Twister???
You play Lawn Twister the same way you play Twister indoors – one exception, you can let those creative juices flow and really have fun outdoors. The rules remain the same, and the only difference is the playing surface – carpet to grass!
The joy of outside playing surface adds a whole new level of play to Twister type games just because the playing surface is more customizable.
Why use the traditional Twister mat, when you can paint your circles, and customize colors with grass friendly paints.
How Do You Set Up Lawn Twister?
There are various methods to achieve this.
You can use:
- The original mat that everybody recognizes
- Buy another mat that has an expanded grid of circles
- or you can create your own circles using lawn safe paints
- Regardless, you will need a spinner.
If you add colors for larger quadrants, you can create your own spinner with:
- cardboard,
- glue,
- scissors,
- and string
Just make sure you are not creating a mat so large, that there are colored circles that a person could not stretch out and reach.
Typical grid mat is 4 x 6 with four colors:
- red,
- green,
- yellow,
- blue
There are six circles of each color and is set up in four rows.
Each row is the same color from top to bottom.
Taking Action All you need is enough people playing to have an additional person who can play referee, who will spin the spinner and call out directions.
What are the Rules of Lawn Twister?
The rules are relatively straightforward, and to get you started a three-player example will be used to explain the way in which the game is played.
In this case two people will be on the mat with the third person will act as the referee.
In the standard game, the spinner will have a total of four quadrants, and each quadrant will have a color and the hand or foot that goes with the color:
- First Quadrant: Left-hand and Blue
- Second Quadrant: Left-foot and Green
- Third Quadrant: Right-hand and Yellow
- Fourth Quadrant: Right-foot and Red
The two players on the mat will face each other, as far apart as possible on the mat, with one foot on a yellow circle and the other foot on a blue circle.
The referee stays with the spinner and simply calls out the quadrant each time the hand spins around and then stops.
The referee spins the spinner and when the hand comes to a stop, calls out the quadrant which could be something like “Right-hand/Yellow.”
The player — at the same time — leans and places their right hand down right on a yellow circle and stays right there.
There is never a time during the game where you can place your foot or hand in a circle where there is already a foot or hand.
You always follow the referees direction and only place your foot or hand in the circle of the color that he calls out that is empty and not occupied by a foot or hand.
If your right hand is on yellow, and the referee says “right hand/yellow”, you will need to move your right hand off of the yellow and place it on an empty yellow circle.
If both players reach for the same circle, first come first serve.
Remember This: If there is a situation where neither player is sure who got to the circle first, the referee is the final tie breaker.
How Are Players Eliminated?
When a player falls over or touches either their knee or elbow to the mat, that player is immediately eliminated from the game.
A player can also opt out if they believe that simply reaching for a circle will cause them to fall, or if they feel that there is no doubt they will fall.
The last player remaining on the mat is the winner. You can also play with four players on the mat – splitting them into two teams.
In this version, the players on the same team must place their hands or feet on the same circle with their partner.
If a single player should fall or touch a knee or elbow to the mat, the other team automatically wins the entire match.
Are the Rules Any Different in Lawn Twister?
The game is played the same way as indoor twister, but certainly can be modified.
Honestly, the best part of Lawn Twister, is that it provides more space and freedom to play.
For example, you could lay out double rows of colors, where instead of 4 simple rows of colors, you actually have 8 rows of 4 colors with double rows.
You can also add to the number of players, if you have more space. The more players you have, typically the crazier it can get.
Especially, the more players, if you lay it out with lawn safe paints, instead of a mat.
You can spread the circles as much as it can get away with to make the course larger if you want.
Now, of course, you want circle some for player positioning, remember that each player will start off on opposite ends of the mat, so you wouldn’t want to spread the circles so far that the first color called can’t be reached by all players.
So you will want to find a happy medium when laying out your shopper, as not every player is MORE than 6′ tall.
There is larger outdoor twister where you can look into, so feel free to go that route or let your creative juices flow.
How to Add Challenges to Twister
Twister at times is hard but other times is a snap.
It all just depends on the spinner.
If you want to make sure that it is always a slightly tougher and an even bigger blast, we can do it!
The Challenge Twister
Introducing challenges to any game can be a fun way to spice things up.
When it comes to Twister however, challenges get a little more interesting since players may have limited movements.
Just find a bucket or bowl that is full of challenges!
Add a couple of “Challenge” sections to your spinner, and when someone spins “Challenge,” pull one out and tell the player what they need to do to stay in the game.
For example, they may have to do pushups, or play with only one hand, or even not say any words for the entire round, until they get challenged.
Change Up Body Parts
Another way to have some fun is to change the body parts that you are adding to the spinner.
For example, you can add new body parts to the spinner besides just hands and feet, like elbows and knees, and even heads.
These suggestions will definitely get everyone in some awkward body contortions and will definitely make the game even more interesting.
Dance Party Anyone?
Why not flip the script from your normal Twister board and have a little disco, rather than standing on those colors?
You can use the dots to create a dance party, turning on music, and have them all dance.
This can be fun, difficult, and yield a smile for all involved.
Final Thoughts
Playing Lawn Twister is more about how you want to set it up, than about changes in the basic rules.
The rules are the same except for the circumstance for you to be creative.
You might want to let all the players chime in on the mat layout as well, so everyone is a participant in the game.