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Stay Active With Amenities From Home

April 1, 2020

The beginning of April usually means that Amenity season is right around the corner in Bryant Park, with our award-winning activity areas (Ping Pong, Art Cart, Putting & Kubb, Games, Chess & Backgammon, and Pétanque) gearing up for another season of fun. Unfortunately, we must postpone the opening of Amenities until later this spring.

Just because you have to wait a little longer to enjoy these activities in Bryant Park, however, does not mean that you can’t get creative and turn your home into a little slice of midtown. To help you get started, we have compiled a few ways that you can recreate the Amenity experience using items you probably already have around the house.

  • Chess + Backgammon. “Gymnastics for the mind,” chess is a fantastic way to keep your brain sharp and active. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a set, you can improvise and create your own with common household items. If you have full complements of U.S. coins, use pennies for pawns, nickels for knights, dimes for bishops, quarters for rooks, Susan B. Anthony dollars for queens, and half-dollars for kings. Use heads and tails to differentiate between the two sets. You can also create your own paper chessmen, decorating them in your special style. If you prefer the digital route, there are many online options: Here’s one to get you started.
  • Pétanque. It is actually very easy to play Pétanque at home. Any room can be a court, and all you need for equipment is a small ball (or ball-like object) for the jack and bigger ones for the boules. Don’t worry if there isn’t much open space in your home, obstacles add a fun wrinkle to this classic game. Here’s a handy set of rules to guide you, courtesy of our partners at La Boule NY.
  • Putting + Kubb. Combine chess and bowling by playing “Viking chess” at home. All you need are blocks (cans and books work well) and a set of small, sturdy objects that you feel comfortable throwing indoors. The rules are straight forward and easily adapted for the limitations of indoor play.  To fully recreate this amenity, grab your putter and put your skills to the test. Design your own putting green using cups for the holes, and add an extra level of difficulty by incorporating features of your home such as stairs, carpets, and furniture.
  • Games. This one can be as simple or complex as you choose. You probably already have some tabletop games or a deck of cards around the house, but you can also get creative and make your own. Here’s a list of eight easy-to-make games from Wise Bread, and 12 DIY games from The Spruce Crafts. To expand the competition pool, there’s also online Mah Jongg, Settlers of Catan, and much more.
  • Ping Pong. All you need in order to play ping pong is a ball, two paddles – of any sort - and a divider. In addition to a range of pre-made models available for purchase online (just search for “mini ping pong table,” you can take on the challenge and easily create your own. Just grab a bouncy ball, two flat objects that you can easily hold in one hand (spatulas work well, as do small books), and play on a table or countertop. A tip: the divider doesn’t need to be vertical; a piece of colored tape or string is just as effective. To set the mood, watch this award-winning video about the actual ping pong tables at Bryant Park.
  • Art Cart. Arts and crafts are a natural indoor activity, and a great way to channel your creative energy. They’re fun for kids, and can be a powerful bonding experience as well. Here’s 50+ Quick and Easy Kids Crafts that Anyone Can Make from the Happiness is Home blog to get you started. The beauty of arts and crafts is that so much in your home can be used to spark creativity. Blank sheets of paper can be used for easy origami. Flour, water, and cornstarch can be used to make paper maché. Even macaroni is a whimsical and versatile medium. Hone your photography skills with your smartphone, or use it to shoot a video.

We are looking forward to opening all of these amenities when it becomes safe to do so. We are closely monitoring the situation and encourage you to check our website and social media channels for updates. Meanwhile, use these suggestions to get creative and have fun at home. Want to share your personal piece of Bryant Park? Take a photo or video of your setup and tag us @bryantparknyc.