A family-vs.-family tug-of-war is the crowning event of the competition.

WHAT YOU NEED:

Some thick ropes with a piece of tape marking the middle. Thinner ropes are harder to hang onto and more likely to cause rope burns. Tie a few knots in the ropes for a good grip. (Warn against wrapping the rope around waists or wrists.)

WHAT YOU DO:

Set two families at opposite ends of the rope. Center the rope over a line on the ground and ask them to step back six feet to another line you've marked with tape. At a signal, each family strains to pull the other over to its side. Run this like a double elimination tournament. Pick the family names out of a hat to determine the draw. Winners continue to accept new challengers, and the losers continue in a losers bracket. A loss in the losers bracket means a family is out.