Ping-Pong Games to Play

Ping pong or table tennis is a game where players have to knock a small plastic bouncing ball back and forth on a small table. There are many different games you can play with a ping pong ball. Some of these games utilize the table, while others expand the idea of ping pong into different areas. A few of the games don't even use the ping pong paddle.

Crazy Ping Pong

"Crazy Ping Pong" requires a little bit of preparation. Remove the net from the table and divide the players into equal teams. Any number of players can participate as long as they can all fit around the table. Hand out plastic toy soldiers to each team. The team places these on their side of the table. Place the ball on the table and give each player a drinking straw. Players blow the ball around on the table and try to get the ball to fall off of their opponent's side. This earns them a point. Players also earn a point for each soldier they knock over. Play to a predetermined point value.

Ping Pong Relay

"Ping Pong Relay" is another team game using ping pong balls. Split the group of players up into equal teams and hand out spoons to each player. Create a race route in your backyard including small obstacles. Set up check points along the route and set one player from each team at each check point. Give the starting members of the teams a ping pong ball. Players hold the spoons in their mouth and place the ball in the spoon. They must race to the next check point and place the ball in their teammate's spoon without dropping it. Dropping it sends the player back to the last check point. The first team to cross the finish line with their ball in the spoon wins.

2Ping

"2Ping" is an indoor game designed to play similarly to baseball. Any number of players can play this game. Divide the group into equal teams. Pick a pitcher as well as fielders. Place small pillows around the play area to represent bases. Give the hitting team a ping pong paddle. The pitcher throws the ball to the hitter. The hitter has two attempts to hit it before he is out. There are three outs per inning. If the player hits the ball, the fielders can catch the ball before it hits the ground to get the player out. If they don't catch it, the player automatically takes the base. The winner is the player with the most runs after nine innings.

Netless Ping Pong

"Netless Ping Pong" is a simple variation on normal ping pong that resembles the drinking game "Beer Pong." The same basic rules of ping pong apply to the game. However, you remove the net and place a plastic cup in the center of both ends of the table. Players earn a point for knocking the ball off their opponent's side after one bounce on the table. However, players can also earn a point for knocking over their opponent's plastic cup or earn three points for landing inside the cup. Play to a predetermined point value.