This isn't a difficult game though there are a lot of steps to set it up. In true Minute to Win It fashion, Ka-Broom uses common household items to make a challenging and fun game. In this case you'll be using a broom, a paper plate, and the old campfire standard, marshmallows.
The Goal
Create a catapult with the paper plate and the broom handle in order to launch marshmallows into the air. Catch the marshmallows in a cup to succeed.
Equipment Needed
To set up and play Ka-Broom you will need to following supplies:
- At least one paper plate, standard dinner size (don't substitute plastic or styrofoam plates here)
- A bag of standard sized marshmallows
- One broom, the kind with straw bristles and a standard length handle
- One cup with a handle (a mug would be perfect)
- A table
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Chalk, tape, or other medium to mark off a foul line on the floor
- A one-minute timer or stop watch
If more than one person will be playing or you plan on playing this game several times, have extra paper plates on hand. They run the risk of getting bent or creased with multiple uses, and bent plates will have an adverse affect on how the marshmallows are launched.
How to Play
The setup for Ka-Broom is fairly straightforward, but the instructions to play will seem tricky at first. Stay with me and follow along - it's not all that tough in practice.
To set the game up, place the paper plate so that it's resting half on the table with the other half hanging over the edge. Place a marshmallow in the center of the half that is on the table. Measure seven feet from the edge of the table where the plate is resting and mark the foul line at that distance.
Get ready to play: The contestant will hold the broom, bristle side resting on the floor, in one hand, and the cup in the other. He or she stands at the foul line. Place the open bag of marshmallows on the table near the plate.
Now, we play. Start the one-minute timer. The contestant releases the handle of the broom so that it falls onto the portion of the plate that's hanging off the table. (Note: If your broom doesn't reach, measure again and rework the foul line so that the catapult setup is functional.) Once the broom handle hits the plate, the marshmallow will be launched into the air. Catch the marshmallow in the cup without stepping both feet over the foul line. Replace the plate and marshmallow and repeat for a total of three catches to win - of course you must accomplish this before the timer runs out.
The Rules
The rules for Ka-Broom are fairly simple:
- You must keep at least one foot behind the foul line while catching the marshmallow
- If the marshmallow hits your hand or any other body part before bouncing into the cup, that marshmallow does not count
- All three marshmallows must be in the cup concurrently in order to win
Tips and Tricks
For a successful game of Ka-Broom you need to make sure that your measurements are correct so that the broom handle hits the plate in the right spot. You don't want it to miss entirely, nor do you want it to land too close to the edge of the table. Practice a few times to make sure that the catapult works as it should.
The blueprint with video instructions for this game can be found at NBC.com.
