The Ancient and Addictive Log-Tossing Game
Who would have thought tossing a log around would be so much fun…….and competitive? Well the Finish have been doing it for years and like the vikings, its spread out around the world.
The game is simple but tactical, it is the perfect outdoor game for kids and adults of all ages. Finska has the added bonus of reinforcing mental arithmetic and as such has been adopted by many Australian primary schools as a great way of taking maths outside and making it fun.
Original Finska is made from environmentally friendly birch and will provide guaranteed fun at your next outdoor party, barbecue or picnic.
Includes a crate, throwing log (the Finska) (22×5.5cm), 12 numbered pins (15×5.5cm), Scoring Sheet and Rules. Minor variations in dimensions and colour will occur from set to set.
Players: 2 or more (teams if you like)
Ages 7 to 107
Finska Setup
The official set-up for Finska is to cluster the pins as per the diagram below. By all means separate the pins more to make the game easier and more fun for your group. When we play, we tend to move the pins around after each set of turns or when a number of pins are toppled, so that the game is ever changing and that much more engaging. Lets be honest, we're not competing for viking kingdoms so whatever works for your group is okay. Once the pins are setup, mark an area 3-4 metres away that is the throwing position i.e., everyone has to throuw the Finska from that spot. You can mark this with the crate or a BBQ tongue or get the dog to lay down. Your choice.
How to Play Finska
Okay lets start throwing some logs. Work out who goes first and the sequence. Some people like to throw a coin, others have a challenge like who can stand on one leg the longest. Whatever you do, make it fun and then lets start. On your turn throw the Finska to knock over the pins and score the points for the pins you knock completely down. If its a 6 pin then you get 6 points. After your turn set the pins back up where they fell, ready for the next player. Play continues until someone scores 50 points. Be carfeful though because if you score greater than 50 points then you go all the way back to 25. A few other rules you need to know are
- If you knock down more than 1 pin then your score is the number of pins you knock down e.g., if you knock down 5 pins then you get 5 points.
- If you miss all then pins then you get another turn, but if you miss 3 times in a row then you LOSE. You are out of the game. When we play we have a modification to this rule being that instead of being out of the game, the person has to wear a silly hat until their next turn.
- If you throw a Finska at the person cooking on the BBQ then you lose…….in many ways.
It seems like a very easy game to play but you will be surprised that its a challenge to master but how easy it is to have a laugh. Here at Presents of Mind, we love Finska and we are sure you will too.
This is one of many classic and fun games from the Planet Finska collection, which is a part of our Outdoor Games range.
