Giant Games Rentals
The history of playing games of skill goes back to prehistoric times. Some of the oldest known games are tile-based board games, based on pure strategy, and then more sport-based competitive games were played with sticks and balls and rudimentary hoops, games of physical skill and teamwork. Modern games have evolved, but they have the same elements. You'll notice that games with the most staying power combine physical skill, a strategic element and some competition, and they're also the most fun and engaging. Below you can find a short list of the most popular games that we have available for rent.
Now, before we get to the list, you might wonder why these are still so popular outside of small niche groups. Well, simply put, the computer age has brought with it too much time sitting down. This has created a perfect niche for more physical games that aren’t full-on team sports. In fact, this is where most people feel most comfortable, so it's worth looking at this middle ground of classic games. The bonus is that they're highly interactive and have an easy learning curve, so nearly everyone can play them and join in the fun. And once you and your friends have tried them, you’ll realize why they’ve stood the test of time.
Foosball Tables For Rent
Foosball is a funny name for a game that’s modeled after what we call soccer. That’s because it likely originated in the early 1900s in Europe. The historical record is hazy on the origins of Foosball, but let’s look at the logistics. Soccer in most parts of the world is called football, but that’s still not “foosball.” In German, though, the word football is literally “fussball” because “fuss” is the word for foot. This is the most likely origin story for the table game known as foosball. The game was most recently revived by Joey and Chandler in their apartment on Friends, and if anyone decides to host a Friends-themed party with dual recliners, a chick and a duck, a kitchen counter bar and a foosball table, you have to tag me in.
The way you manipulate the players on the field of the foosball table is a little bit complicated, and it requires some coordination and some understanding of what the sliding bars can do. Not only do they slide the players side to side, but you can rotate them to effectively make the players kick. There are actual rules to this, and officially, you’re not supposed to slap the handle so as to make the rod rotate more than 360 degrees. You’re supposed to have clear control of the handle at all times, and the penalty for spinning the rod is a loss of possession of the ball. Yes, there are tournament rules for this game, but if you’re setting up the table for your own event, you’re free to set up your own rules.
Foosball tables don’t require any electricity, so there aren’t any restrictions on where you might place them for your party or event, except for a flat, level surface. The 11 players on the bars for each team include 3 forwards who are always up-field, five midfielders, two defense, and a goalie. Each player is in control of four bars operated from one side of the table. New players might get confused by the bars coming in and out at them from the opposite player’s side, so at first it can be distracting. It’s clear this game is a true game of skill requiring a lot of dexterity and attention. Still, there are plenty of casual players who just like to spin the rods and see what they can do. It’s a game for those who like a real challenge and fast play, and it’s great to watch. Rent one of these tables and you’ll have people asking when your next event is so they can do it again.
Air Hockey Tables For Events
It’s the rare person who hasn’t been exposed to an air hockey table at some time in their life and has a memory about it. Maybe neon lights in an ‘80s arcade, or the smell of a pizzeria that put air hockey in the party room, but nearly everyone knows what air hockey is, and knows that it’s there at events where people are having fun. The air hockey table looks like a pong game from above, which is funny to think about because we’re supposed to associate it with ice hockey. But the movement of the plastic puck hovering slightly above the surface of the table on tiny air vents, and pinging back and forth with the speed applied by the smack of the plastic mallet, looks more like a revved-up game of pong. Whatever your association is with this table game, it’s sure to bring out the rec room competition vibes when you get near one.
Air hockey was actually developed around the same time as Jenga, by a group of employees at Brunswick Billiards between 1969 to 1972. An immediate success on release, it wasn’t long before there was a city league, then a state league, which eventually led to national play, and even a world championship. The United States Air-Table Hockey Association (USAA) was formed in 1975, and In March 2015, the Air Hockey Players Association (AHPA) was born, proving that enthusiasm for the game had been consistent for decades. Today, it’s mostly played by people in close-knit communities who are involved with the air hockey associations, but just like any game spanning generations, there’s always room for new players to get into it and sharpen their skills.
Luckily, air hockey tables are very accessible and can be rented for those who don’t have a dedicated recreation room in their home, or room in the garage, to keep it all year. It can be played by people of any age, as long as they’re tall enough to reach their arm onto the table. This game is a little different, in that it does require an electrical source to make it work. Keep that in mind when selecting your games for things like birthday parties or events, but at least indoors, that won’t be a very hard thing to provide. And you’ll want to have a way to cover or protect the cord as well to prevent tripping on it. If you’ve got the electricity and safety items down, you’re ready to receive your rental air hockey table for a great time with friends. Just keep that puck on the table, folks.
Giant Jenga For Parties
It might surprise you that Jenga was not one of these prehistoric games, and in fact, evolved in the '70s from a stacking game using simple wooden pieces that a family got at a sawmill in Ghana. The founder of Jenga used her family game night as inspiration to launch the game in London in 1982, and it launched in North America in 1986. Today it's basically a household word that everyone understands, and we can all picture the iconic stacked wood tower when we hear the name. It’s still a bit shocking that such a simple concept really took over in the world of games and elevated itself (a little Jenga pun there) worldwide.
For those new to Jenga, if there’s anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to actually play it yet, the concept is simple. On your turn, examine the stack carefully. As soon as you touch a block, you’re committed to removing it from the stack. Hopefully it’s one with less support value and can be easily worked out from between the others without the tower collapsing. Then, you place your block on the top, and with each turn it becomes taller and taller. The person who can no longer find a non-supporting block (or who hasn’t examined the structure very carefully) will have the structure topple and crash down to the gasps and cries of all the players.
There have been over 2 dozen spinoffs and theme packs of classic Jenga since then, including extra large table sizes, but arguably the coolest variation has been the XXL giant Jenga games that have blocks 18 inches long with a tower that starts at 4 feet high, and is stackable to 8 feet high. It's an eye-catching sight, and definitely a game that would attract anyone who sees it, so it's a no-brainer for bringing people together at any venue. A few fun variations on the game are incorporating giant Jenga with truth or dare, answering trivia questions at the same time as removing a block, and requiring the player to take their turn while dancing to music. What variations can you come up with? Rent a giant Jenga stack for your next party and get creative.
Corn Hole Rentals
Why is it called Cornhole? Because the object is to throw a bag filled with corn kernels into a 6-inch hole cut into a tilted platform. You might have heard it called beanbag toss or sack toss, or you might have never heard of this game at all and are totally confused, so here are the Cliff’s Notes on the rules of Cornhole. Traditionally, players toss a 1-pound fabric bag of corn kernels at a sloped box with a 6-inch round opening at one end. That’s where the name comes from, folks, it’s filled with corn kernels. Points are awarded either by tossing a bag into the hole (3 points) or onto the box (1 point). The first individual or team to reach 21 points wins. Best two of three games wins the match.
It sounds very simple, and it really is. It’s arguably the most accessible of the skilled competition games. If you can hold and throw a one-pound bag, then you can play. Yes, there is actually an American Cornhole Association, which is a real entity with game rules and beanbag specifications and even official merch. But unless you’re running your own league or are a real cornhole fanatic, it’s good to know that you can rent all the required elements for playing this game.
You’ll want two cornhole boards, since the teams face each other and toss their beanbags (which can officially be filled with resin pellets instead) towards the opposite side. They are typically 2 feet by 4 feet and have peg legs at one short end to elevate it, and that’s the end with the hole in it. Imagine a small skee-ball setup with only one hole at the back. You’ll also want 2 sets of bags that are distinguishable from each other. Each set contains four bags. That’s really all you need, except for maybe a way to keep score, and some party snacks and beverages to keep the spectators and other team members happy. We know that’s already on your list, though, so… check! All you need then are the boards and bags and enough space to set them up, and you’ve got an easy game for everyone that can travel indoors or outdoors. This is an event rental that really can’t go wrong.
Other Event Rentals:
Ping Ping table Rentals
Custom Pool Table Felt
We want to make sure that your party and event planning goes smoothly, and we’ve got you covered with the big, fun games. Check out our selection and rates, and we think you’ll agree that it’s worth it for what your guests will get out of it. We also offer games and pool tables for corporate events and weddings. We exist to help you, too, with delivery and return pickup to take that off your mind as well. It’s time to get everyone together again, so let us help you make that happen. Visit our rental gallery here.