Outdoor Lawn Games for Backyard Gatherings

Backyard gatherings get even better with a few lawn games set up on the grass. They give guests something to do between bites, let kids and adults play together and encourage friendly competition without anyone needing to be an athlete. Here are the most popular lawn games and how to play them.

Cornhole

Players: 2 or 4 | Space: About 40 feet long

Cornhole is a backyard favorite across the United States. Players toss small fabric bags at a slanted board with a hole near the top.

Setup: Standard boards are 2 feet by 4 feet with a 6-inch hole. In regulation play, the front edges of the two boards are 27 feet apart. For kids or casual play, move them closer.

Scoring: - A bag in the hole is worth 3 points. - A bag that stays on the board is worth 1 point. - Points cancel each other out each round, so only the difference counts. - The first team to reach 21 points wins.

Tip: A smooth, underhand toss with a little spin keeps the bag flat and helps it slide toward the hole.

Bocce

Players: 2–8 | Space: A flat stretch of lawn or a dedicated court

Bocce is an ancient game that is easy to learn and pleasantly relaxed.

How to play: One player tosses a small ball, called the pallino, to start. Teams then take turns rolling their larger bocce balls, trying to get as close to the pallino as possible. After all balls are thrown, the team with the closest ball scores a point for each of its balls that is closer than the opponents' closest ball. Games are often played to 12 points, though many backyard players choose a different target.

Tip: You can play on grass, gravel or sand. Uneven ground adds fun challenges.

Ladder toss (ladder ball)

Players: 2 or 4 | Space: About 15 feet between ladders

Players throw "bolas," two balls connected by a string, at a ladder-like target with three rungs.

Scoring: In a common version, the top rung is worth 3 points, the middle rung is worth 2 and the bottom rung is worth 1. Many sets suggest playing to exactly 21, so going over means your points do not count for that round.

Tip: Toss with a gentle underhand swing to get the bola spinning.

Horseshoes

Players: 2 or 4 | Space: About 50 feet

A classic American lawn game. Players pitch horseshoes at a metal stake.

Setup: In regulation play, the stakes are 40 feet apart. For kids and casual players, use a shorter distance.

Scoring: A "ringer," where the horseshoe encircles the stake, is worth 3 points. A horseshoe within 6 inches of the stake is worth 1 point. Games are commonly played to 21 or 40 points.

Safety: Horseshoes are heavy. Keep spectators, especially kids, well away from the throwing lane.

Kubb

Players: 2–12 | Space: About 16 by 26 feet

Sometimes called "Viking chess," Kubb is a strategic game of throwing wooden batons to knock over your opponents' wooden blocks (kubbs) and finally the "king" in the middle.

How it works: Teams take turns throwing batons underhand to topple the other team's kubbs. Knocked-down kubbs are thrown back to the opponent's side and stood up as new targets. After you clear all the kubbs on your opponent's side, you can try to knock over the king to win. Knock the king over early, and you lose.

Tip: It is slow paced and perfect for sipping a drink between turns.

More lawn game ideas

• Giant tumbling tower: A supersize version of the stacking block game.
• Croquet: Use mallets to knock balls through wickets.
• Roundnet: A fast, active game played around a small round trampoline net.
• Frisbee golf: Set up "holes" with buckets or trees.
• Badminton: A classic for summer evenings.
• Giant tic-tac-toe or Connect 4: Great for kids.

Lawn game quick reference

The bottom line

Lawn games are the easiest way to turn a backyard gathering into an event. Set up two or three games, adjust distances for kids, keep safety in mind and let the friendly competition begin.