Pittsburgh’s Newest Lawn Game Kills Two Birds with One Stone
Check out why “7 Birds” is craftier than cornhole.
photos courtesy of James Lomuscio
In a city full of cornhole boards and bocce balls, local entrepreneur James Lomuscio desired a lawn game with a little more tactic — so he created one.
“I’m philosophical about games,” said Lomuscio. “They have a social purpose, they do a certain thing.”
His brainchild, “7 Birds,” is a game that can be played in what Lomuscio calls the “classic Pittsburgh backyard,” a small 10- to-15-foot plot of grass.
“7 Birds” brings families together in a simple but competitive way. The gameplay includes a series of seven pegs or “birds” that are set up in the grass like a hexagon. Players take turns throwing an eighth peg, or “stone” at the birds.
Once you knock a peg down, you can claim it with your color — either red or blue. The peg is always set back up where it last fell, creating a moving gameboard. Players can reclaim pegs or try to hit a new bird. The game ends when all seven pegs have been claimed. Whoever hit the most birds with their stone is the winner.
“7 Birds” can be purchased online ($40) or in a variety of local toy stores including S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes, Phantom of the Attic in Oakland, Games Unlimited in Squirrel Hill or Learning Express in Bakery Square.
As a game that requires both strength and skill, it’s a lighthearted way to kill two birds with one stone.
