Party Favorites: Portable, kid-friendly badminton set

There are many reasons to love badminton, but I think the biggest one for me is that it's really, really hard to hurt yourself while playing. (A lifetime of watching my more-athletic parents come home with sports-related injuries has scared me off of all but the most non-threatening of outdoor pursuits. Sorry, folks.) Other pluses in badminton's favor: You can start a pick-up game almost anywhere, or just volley the birdie in a backyard without even setting up a net; the equipment is typically not expensive or difficult to transport or store; and the more muscular, beefy players are not necessarily always the winners. How could it get any better, you may be asking? This is how: The Beachtime Shuttleflight set at left has shorter handles and wider racket heads that make them easier for kids to use, and the shuttlecocks have bouncier, rubbery heads that really send them flying. Toss the set in a bag whenever you're headed to a picnic or barbecue and rest assured that you're providing the life of the party.

This set, which includes two rackets and 2 shuttlecocks, but no net) is on sale for $12 at badmintonsource.com.

Comment Away: What's your favorite summer-party activity?

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