Tot 'n Tow

Learning the Rules of Quidditch

7-year-old birthday = a hysterical match of Muggle Quidditch

This year’s birthday theme was Harry Potter.  Charles was insistent that he and his friend play quidditch (the soccer-like game invented by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling).  A mighty match between the red Gryffindor house and the green Slytherin house.  Minor hiccups quickly arose, although gravity, the lack of magical powers, and the fact that this game is actually fictional did not deter Charles’ determination to play this game.    Let the creativity begin!

Flash forward to the party: Two actors, 24 broomes, an official Harry Potter snitch, 2 bludgers (1 red and 1 green), 1 quaffle, 24 red and green headbands, 2 hoola hoops (for goals) and a large dose of creativity later….the game was possible, the kids were thrilled and the adult party-goers were in stitches with laughter.

Our two actors, Joe and Marc, explained to the anxious kids that they couldn’t practice magic outside of Hogwarts, so the only option was to play ‘Muggle’-style: no flying, no bewitched balls, no magical spells.  Simple rules: stay on your brooms, don’t hit by the bludgers, catch the snitch, and get the quaffle through the hoola hoop goal.

Me and the Phenomenal Actors, Basel and Gilroy

We were indoors (it was raining outside), but this game would have been amazing to see outside.  The pitch (quidditch field) was so small in our venue, but the game would have been 10x more spectacular if we were on a grassy pitch with room to run.  Next time!

Even the Youngest Player had his Game Face On