| How to Play Bananagrams Posted: 02 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT Bananagrams is a fast-paced, competitive word game with similarities to both Scrabble and Boggle. Like Boggle, gameplay happens quickly and doesn't involve turns. Like Scrabble, each player builds his or her own interlocking grid of words until they've used all their letters. Try an alternate version of the game if you're playing by yourself, or if you want to speed things up a bit! EditLearning the Traditional Rules - Place all the tiles facedown on a flat surface. Unzip the banana-shaped pouch and dump out all 144 letter tiles in a central spot that's within arm's reach of all players. It's best to play on a hard, flat surface such as the floor or a table. No letters should be visible once you've flipped over all the tiles.[1]
- This group of facedown tiles is known as the "bunch."
- Mix the letters around a bit after flipping them over to ensure that they're randomly distributed.
- Each person takes a set amount of tiles, depending on the number of players. The number of starting tiles for each player is determined by the number of people playing the game. You can play Bananagrams with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 8.[2]
- For 2-4 players, draw 21 tiles each.
- For 5-6 people, draw 15 tiles each.
- For 7-8 people, draw 11 tiles each.
- Start the game by saying "split" and flipping over your tiles. This is the signal for everyone to flip over his or her tiles so the letters are face-up. As you turn over your tiles, you should start thinking about words that could be formed using these letters.[3]
- Arrange your tiles into words that intersect like a crossword. Words can be arranged vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally. The goal is to be the first to use all of your starting letters in your word grid. You cannot use proper nouns or abbreviations.[4]
- Each player creates their own, personal word grid (unlike Scrabble, where all players add on to one group grid).
- Everyone should be playing simultaneously—there are no "turns" in Bananagrams. You are racing the other players to be the first to use all your letters.
- Consider starting off with a longer word, which gives you more opportunities to build new words.[5]
- Exchange 1 letter tile for 3 new ones if you're having trouble using it. This is called "dumping." Many people dump tiles if they have too many vowels, too many consonants, or even just a tricky letter like an X or Q. Place the tile you are dumping back in the bunch, say "dump!" then draw 3 new tiles.
- Be sure to dump your letter far away in the pile so you don't pick it up immediately if you draw again.
- Say "peel" once you have used all your tiles. Every player must draw 1 new tile from the bunch. Someone else may use all their letters first, in which case you still must draw a new tile when they say "peel."[6]
- It's always a good idea to double-check all your words are valid and spelled correctly before peeling.
- An effective strategy is to "peel" as fast as possible, several times in a row. An influx of new tiles may slow your opponents down!
- Incorporate the new tile into your grid of words. Tiles can be rearranged in any way you want once you've drawn a new tile. Once you've used the tile, you can yell "peel" again.
- In this example, the player has a newly drawn T. By replacing the D in FOOD with the T and creating FOOT, the player was able to place the D at the end of TIE to make TIED, effectively using all of his or her tiles.
- Two letter words like QI, IT, and OE are useful placeholders for new letters until you can work them into a larger word.
- Continue peeling until the bunch has fewer tiles than the number of players. For example: Player 1 peels, and after all 5 players have drawn a new tile, there are only 4 tiles left in the bunch. At this point, the first person to use up all their tiles in their word grid wins the game.[7]
- Sometimes, the number of tiles divides evenly among players. If this is the case, you'll end up with no tiles left in the bunch after the final peel.
- Yell "bananas" if you are the first player to use up all your tiles. Since there are no more tiles in the bunch to draw, the game is now over. The player who called "Bananas!" first is the winner.[8]
- If 2 players yell "Bananas!" at the same time, you have a tie. In this case, the player with the longest word in their grid can be declared the winner—but you can also come up with another house rule to determine the tie-breaker.
- Inspect the winning grid for disqualifying words. If the player has used any illegal words, then someone says "Rotten banana!" and the player is disqualified. Their tiles are mixed up and added back to the bunch, and play resumes the same way.[9]
- When the number of tiles left in the bunch is fewer than the remaining players, the first person to use up all their tiles again exclaims "Bananas!" Their grid should be inspected for disqualifying words as well. If they are all correct, this player is the winner!
EditTrying Alternate Versions - Play with no peeling or dumping for a slower-paced version of the game. Start by dividing all the tiles equally among players. Each player flips over their tiles at the start of the game and tries to create a grid of interlocking words using all their tiles. When one player uses all their letters, they call "Bananas!" and the game is over—assuming that player doesn't have any disqualifying words in their grid.[10]
- If the game ends in a tie or a stalemate, with no one able to use all their letters, the winner is the player with the longest word in their grid.
- Do not allow peeling for a very quick version of the game. Have each player draw 21 tiles from the pouch and place them face down in front of them. Then, play Bananagrams the usual way—but without peeling. Players can still dump. The first player to incorporate all 21 letters into a word grid and yell "Bananas!" is the winner.[11]
- This alternative is great for waiting in restaurants or doctor's offices.
- Try a solitaire version of Bananagrams to hone your skills. Place all the tiles facedown, then flip over 21 tiles. Start a timer and play as usual, although there's no need to call out "peel" or "dump" to alert other players. Once you've used all the tiles, stop the timer.[12]
- Then, repeat to see if you can beat your own best time.
- Or, challenge yourself by trying to create a grid using the fewest words possible. Look for longer, more complex words that you can play.
- Play cooperatively to develop concentration and reading ability. This version of Bananagrams is great for children and helps them practice their reading and spelling skills. Start by placing all the tiles face up. Then, all players help in creating one large interlocking word grid. You can take turns, or play freely and allow anyone who has an idea to play a word.[13]
- The game is over when all the tiles have been used to create one big grid. There are no winners in this version!
- With group of people that's larger than 8, use 2 sets of Bananagram tiles in order to avoid overly short games. Your tiles will get mixed up, so make sure to sort them back out at the end.
EditThings You'll Need - Table or floor
- 2-8 players
- Bananagrams tiles
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| How to Throw a Fourth of July Party Posted: 01 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT The Fourth of July is always a fun and festive time. Warm summer weather, cookouts with friends and family, and fireworks all make the day memorable. With a few simple decorations and picnic-friendly food, you can organize your own Fourth of July celebration to commemorate this patriotic holiday. EditPlanning the Party - Send out invitations 3-4 weeks before the party. Avoid waiting until the last minute to invite friends and family. They might have made other plans for the day and won't be able to make it.
- If you are mailing your invites, send them at least 4 weeks in advance to allow for potential delivery delays.
- Alternatively, you can send free electronic invitations through an online site like Evite.[1] Electronic invites are great when time is running out because they'll arrive almost immediately!
- Tidy up your house and yard. Make sure your guests will be comfortable by cleaning your home and completing any necessary yard work a few days prior to the party.
- Borrow additional seating if needed. Depending on how many people you've invited to your Fourth of July celebration, you might need more seating or tables. Save some money and borrow what you can from friends or neighbors.[2]
- Lawn chairs and folding tables work great both inside and outdoors.
- You can also encourage your guests to bring picnic blankets to sit on outside.
- Develop a contingency plan for inclement weather. Make plans ahead of time to move the party indoors in case the weather turns bad on the Fourth of July.
- Push furniture against the walls, if needed, to create more space for guests to mingle inside.
- Choose an alternate cooking method for any food that would have been grilled outside. Indoor griddles or grill pans are one option.
- Plan to watch a televised fireworks display if rain or thunderstorms prevent you from doing your own fireworks or attending another live show.
EditChoosing the Food - Purchase affordable easy-to-grill foods. Hot dogs and burgers are great options for a Fourth of July cookout. In fact, the Fourth happens to be the most popular holiday for serving hot dogs![3] For the burgers, you can buy frozen hamburger patties in bulk to save money and time.[4]
- Consider including a vegetarian alternative, such as veggie burgers, for guests who don't eat meat.
- Steak and seafood are delicious options but cost a lot more. Keep your party economical and stick to burgers and hot dogs.
- Ask guests to bring a snack or side dish to share. You can save money on food by having guests bring something to pass around. Ideas include chips, baked beans, salad, or dessert. Guests can even bring drinks or ice.
- Organize a potluck. A fun way to get everyone involved in your Fourth of July party is to have a potluck in which everyone brings a dish to share. Your guests can bring something they like and everyone can enjoy the fun of discovering the different foods.
- A potluck can save you a lot of time and money since everyone is contributing a dish. [5]
- You can still grill hot dogs and hamburgers as your contribution to the potluck or you can do something else and skip the grilling.
- Choose easy desserts in festive colors or shapes. You can add to the festive Fourth of July theme by creating desserts that are red, white, and blue.
- Serve strawberries and blueberries with whipped cream for an easy red, white, and blue treat.
- Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut star shapes out of angel food cake, then top with whipped cream and red and blueberries.
- Order or make your own American flag cookies or cake.
- Buy all of the food you will be serving ahead of time. Avoid the stress of last-minute shopping and begin purchasing the food for your party within the week leading up to the Fourth of July.
EditSelecting the Decorations - Stick to simple decorations. Decorating your home and/or yard for the Fourth of July is fun and a great way to create a festive atmosphere. You don't have to do anything elaborate, though. Visit a dollar store for affordable decorations, such as red, white, and blue pinwheels and streamers or mini American flags.[6]
- Cut star shapes out of red, white, and blue construction paper. Punch a hole at the top of each one, tie a string through the hole, and hang around the house or yard.
- Purchase white supplies for eating. Red, white, and blue plates and napkins are certainly patriotic, but they tend to cost more than plain white supplies. Stick to white plastic cutlery, paper plates, and napkins to save money.[7] Your decorations will be enough to create a festive atmosphere.
- Let the kids do the decorating. Providing materials for the kids to decorate will keep them entertained during the day while awaiting the evening fireworks display.
- Use white butcher paper as tablecloths and let the kids decorate it [8] with red, white, and blue crayons or markers.
- Have the kids draw pictures of colorful fireworks and display them around the house or yard.
EditArranging the Entertainment - Set up an outdoor game area. You don't have to wait until the evening fireworks to have fun on the Fourth of July. Have some outdoor activities available to entertain your guests during the day while you eat and socialize.
- Set up a volleyball or badminton net.
- Borrow, build, or buy a cornhole game[9] (also known as a bean bag toss). This is great for adults and kids.
- Borrow a croquet set if you don't have one.[10]
- Provide a few frisbees for guests to toss around.
- Purchase an inexpensive kiddie pool or slip and slide. A small plastic kiddie pool is an easy way to keep the kids entertained and refreshed during the day. Slip and slides can be fun for kids and adults alike!
- Provide sparklers for everyone. Use sparklers once it starts getting dark. Kids and adults can both enjoy them while waiting for the fireworks display.
- Make a fireworks plan. You can choose to light your own fireworks, attend your local fireworks show, or watch a televised fireworks display.[11]
- Only light off your own fireworks if it is legal where you live.
- Practice safety when lighting your own fireworks and have buckets of water or a running hose close by in case of fire.
- Encourage guests to contribute to the party by bringing a snack or side dish to share.
- Provide plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained during the day.
- Make sure it is legal to light fireworks in your area if you plan to do so.
- Do not light off fireworks in your yard if it is not legal where you live.
- Fireworks can cause burns or start fires. Have water ready and a first aid kit nearby.
EditThings You'll Need - Food and beverages
- Festive decorations
- Activities for children and adults
- Fireworks or other entertainment
- First aid kit
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| How to Tie a Bandana Like a Headband Posted: 01 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT A bandana can make for a functional and stylish headband that can keep hair and moisture out of your face, and make you look good doing it. Tying a bandana into a headband can seem tricky, but with the right bandana, a proper folding, and a good knot, you'll be rocking a bandana headband in no time. - Use a square bandana to form an even headband. Bandanas can come in many shapes and sizes, but a square bandana works best to make a uniform fold to form your headband. The larger the bandana, the more fabric you'll have to fold, which can mean a thicker or wider headband. So make sure you choose a bandana that is large enough to fold into a headband, but not so large that you have a bulky headband.[1]
- Choose material like cotton or other natural fibers that breathe because a headband can trap heat and make your head sweat.
- There are also many different patterns and designs you can choose from for your bandana. by , so make sure yours is at least this size to fold into a headband.}}
- Lay the bandana flat and smooth out any wrinkles. Before you fold your bandana, you need to prepare the fabric by laying it flat on a table or other surface and position it so that looks like a diamond. Use your hands to smooth out any folds or wrinkles that may be in the fabric so that you have a flat and even bandana to work with.[2]
- If your bandana has a lot of wrinkles, you can iron them out with a clothes iron.
- Bring the bottom corner to meet the top corner to form a triangle. Make sure that all of the edges of the bandana line up when you fold it. Fold the bandana in half diagonally, bringing one corner to meet the other and form a large triangle. Smooth out the fabric with your hands to flatten it out.[3]
- Be sure the pattern is arranged so that it's visible when you fold the bandana.
- Fold the long end of the triangle to make a long strip. Take the bottom of the triangle and fold it to form a strip about wide. Then fold the strip over and over towards the point of the triangle until the fabric forms one strip. Smooth out the material after each fold to ensure a uniform size.[4]
- For a wider headband, make a wider strip.
- Roll the bandana rather than fold it to form a rounded headband.
- Spray the folded bandana with hairspray. Once you have the fabric folded to the width you want, you can make the headband adhere to your skin and hair better by spraying it with hairspray. This will prevent the headband from slipping around once it's on your head. Spray an even layer of hairspray and wait 5 minutes to let it dry.[5]
- You can also use hair gel, but make sure the gel dries clear and only apply it to the side of the headband that will be against your hair and skin.
EditTying the Bandana - Place the center of the bandana against your forehead. Pick up the folded bandana strip by the ends and center your forehead against the middle of the strip. If you have long hair, place the bandana beneath your hair so it doesn't get trapped between your forehead and your headband.[6]
- You can center the bandana on the crown of your head as well.
- Wrap the two ends of the bandana around the back of your head. With your forehead pressed against the center of the bandana, bring the two ends behind your head, above your ears. Make sure the bandana doesn't unfold when you wrap it. Keep the entire length of the strip of bandana flush against your head.[7]
- You can also center the bandana on the base of the back of your head and bring the two ends around to the front of your head, above your forehead.
- Tie the ends of the bandana into a double knot to form a headband. With the bandana flush against your head, tie the two ends into a secure knot, making sure it's tight enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable. Then form another knot to keep the first knot firmly in place.[8]
- If you centered the bandana on the base of the back of your head, tie your knot on the upper part of your forehead, making sure it's secure before you tie it into a double-knot.
- Make any adjustments and smooth out any wrinkles in your headband. The bandana headband should rest comfortably and securely on your head. Tuck in any loose fabric and smooth out and bunching of the material that may have occurred. Adjust your hair around your bandana to achieve your desired look.[9]
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