How to Play Jamaican Dandy Shandy

Dandy Shandy is a popular kids game in Jamaica. It is similar to dodgeball, but the game is usually played with an old juice box instead of a rubber ball. This fast paced game can keep kids entertained for a long time. Here's how you can play it at home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Three players
• Big grassy field
• Empty 1-pint juice box
• Newspaper
• Tape

1. Take an empty juice box and stuff it with newspaper. Tape it shut and round off the juice box edges.
2. Line up the players in the big, grassy field. Advanced dandy shandy players may prefer a dirt lot, but the grass provides some protection if a player falls down.
3. Have one of the players on the end throw the juice box at the player in the middle. The middle player has to dodge the juice box.
4. Encourage the player in the middle to be as acrobatic as possible when dodging the juice box. This makes the game more fun for both the players and for the audience.
5. Continue playing after the player in the middle gets hit with the juice box. The player who threw and hit the middle player will switch with him or her and take the middle position.

Tips & Warnings

• One common thing for onlookers to yell as the juice box is aimed at the middle player is "Salad!" No one is really sure why.
• Dandy Shandy is also the name of a popular song by Macka Diamond, and a non-alcoholic drink sometimes seen in Jamaica.
• This game can also be played with four players. It makes it more interesting, especially if the two players on the end decide to throw the juice box really hard.