The most popular lawn games are cornhole, ladder ball, bocce, kubb, KanJam, croquet, horseshoes, and spikeball.
At PartyGameKit, we design rules and guides for organizers who need activities that run smoothly without hours of refereeing.
A great backyard lineup pairs one low-energy toss game with one tactical or physical game. That mix gives casual players a game they can play with a drink in one hand, and gives competitive guests a longer game like kubb or bocce.
The Most Popular Lawn Games
These nine games range from drinks-in-hand tossing games to full-speed team play.
1. Cornhole
Cornhole uses two slanted wooden or composite boards set facing each other, each with a single circular hole near the top. Players take turns pitching fabric bean bags underhand toward the opposite board. A bag that lands through the hole scores three points, while a bag that rests flat on the board surface scores one point. Games use cancellation scoring, meaning points cancel out each frame, and play continues until one team reaches 21 points. Regulation setup places the front edges of the boards 27 feet apart, though backyard hosts often shorten the distance for casual play. The game accommodates two or four players. You can find gear by searching for a cornhole set.
2. Ladder Ball
Ladder ball, also called ladder golf, challenges players to toss bolas at a three-rung ladder frame. A bola consists of two balls connected by a short piece of rope. Players pitch from a marked line, aiming to wrap their bolas around the rungs. In standard scoring, hanging a bola on the top rung scores three points, the middle rung scores two points, and the bottom rung scores one point. Games commonly go to exactly 21 points, so agree before play what happens to a team that goes over. The game works for two or more players in singles or pairs. Pick up a set through an Amazon search for a ladder ball set.
3. Bocce
Bocce features teams rolling or tossing large, heavy balls toward a smaller target ball called the pallino. One player tosses the pallino into open grass to start the frame, and then both sides take turns rolling their larger balls toward it. Once all balls are thrown, only the team with the ball closest to the pallino scores points. That team earns one point for each of their balls that sits closer to the pallino than the opponent’s single best ball. Bocce supports two to eight players and rewards patient rolling over raw power. You can pick up equipment by searching for a bocce ball set.
4. Kubb
Kubb is a Swedish lawn game where two teams stand behind opposite baselines and try to knock over wooden blocks called kubbs. Each side sets a row of kubbs upright on its baseline, with a taller king block standing in the center of the pitch. Teams take turns throwing wooden batons underhand to topple the opponent’s kubbs. Once a team knocks over all the opposing kubbs, they earn the right to throw at the center king to secure the victory. Knocking down the king before clearing the other kubbs results in an immediate loss. Kubb accommodates two to twelve players. To get started, search for a kubb game.
5. KanJam
KanJam is a fast-paced flying-disc game played with two large, can-shaped plastic goals placed opposite each other. Each goal has an open top and a narrow mail-slot opening in the front face. Two teams of two compete, with partners standing at opposite goals. One partner throws the flying disc, and the receiving partner can slap or deflect the disc toward the goal. Hitting the outside of the goal on a partner deflection scores one point, hitting the goal directly on the fly scores two points, and deflecting the disc into the top opening scores three points. If the thrower lands the disc through the front slot without partner assistance, the team wins instantly. Matches typically play to exactly 21 points. Search for KanJam to grab the original disc and goals.
6. Croquet
Croquet requires players to strike wooden or plastic balls with mallets through a designated obstacle course of wire hoops, known as wickets. Players navigate a predetermined order of wickets pegged into the turf, racing to complete the circuit and hit the final stake first. The game demands a relatively flat, short-mown lawn so balls can roll without getting stuck in tall weeds. Croquet handles two to six individual players and rewards calculated shot angles and positional defense. You can find equipment by searching for a croquet set.
7. Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a traditional pitching game where contestants throw heavy metal or rubber shoes at two metal stakes driven into the ground. A ringer, which encircles the stake completely, scores three points. A shoe resting within one shoe-width of the stake scores one point. Regulation stakes sit 40 feet apart, though backyard organizers often shorten the pit spacing. Horseshoes requires a designated sand pit, clay box, or soft dirt surface to absorb impacts safely, along with clear space behind each stake. Search for a horseshoe set to review gear options.
8. Washers
Washers follows a similar back-and-forth flow to cornhole while using a much more compact playing footprint. Players pitch heavy metal washers toward a wooden box or board fitted with a center cup or hole. Point values and the winning score vary by house rules, so settle both before the first toss. Because the target boxes take up minimal lawn space, washers fits tiny yards and patios. You can find boards by searching for a washer toss game.
9. Spikeball (Roundnet)
Spikeball, also known as roundnet, is an active two-on-two game played around a small, circular net tightened at ankle height. Players hit a palm-sized rubber ball onto the net so it bounces up toward the opposing team. Each two-player squad has up to three alternating touches to return the ball off the net. Once the ball is in play, players can move anywhere around the net, so the game needs room in every direction. The game requires open, level ground without tripping hazards. Search for a roundnet set to inspect net kits.
Lawn Games Compared
| Game | Players | Space Needed | Physical Energy | Best Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornhole | 2 or 4 | Long, narrow lane | Low | Mixed ages, casual socializers |
| Ladder Ball | 2 or more | Narrow lane | Low | Families, kids, casual tailgates |
| Bocce | 2 to 8 | Open, flat lawn | Low to Moderate | Multigenerational groups, relaxed parties |
| Kubb | 2 to 12 | Open lawn between two baselines | Moderate | Strategy lovers, mid-sized teams |
| KanJam | 4 | Long lane with room to move | Moderate to High | Active adults, college crowds |
| Croquet | 2 to 6 | Short, flat grass | Low | Leisure gatherings, flat turf yards |
| Horseshoes | Singles or pairs | Long lane with a pit or soft ground | Low | Traditionalists, permanent yard setups |
| Washers | Singles or pairs | Compact lane | Low | Small backyards, tailgate spots |
| Spikeball | 4 | Open ground in every direction | High | Athletic teens, energetic adults |
| Giant Tumble Tower | Any number | Flat patch or patio | Low | Patios, decks, mixed crowds |
| Yard Pong | Two sides | Open lane | Low to Moderate | Parties with or without drinks |
| Giant Connect Four | 2 | Flat patch or patio | Low | Children, quick side matches |
Giant Lawn Games for Parties
Giant lawn games take familiar indoor tabletop mechanics and expand them into oversized yard attractions. They offer instant visual appeal and allow spectators to follow the action from across the yard.
Giant Tumble Tower. This game features oversized wooden rectangular blocks stacked into a tall tower. Players take turns carefully pulling one block from lower levels and balancing it on the top tier without causing the structure to tumble. The round ends when a player causes the tower to collapse. Giant tumble tower works on flat grass, solid wooden decks, or concrete patios. Search for a giant tumble tower to view block sets.
Yard Pong. Yard pong, sometimes called bucket ball, scales up party cup games by using buckets arranged in a triangle on each side of the lawn. Teams stand behind their bucket triangle and toss tennis balls or light mini-volleyballs toward the opposite set. When a ball lands in a bucket, the defending team removes that bucket from the triangle. The game works well for social adult gatherings and family cookouts alike, and players can compete with or without drinks.
Giant Connect Four. Giant connect four uses an oversized vertical wooden or plastic frame. Two players take turns dropping large colored plastic discs down the chutes, trying to align four consecutive discs horizontally, vertically, or diagonally while blocking their opponent. The game sets up in minutes and gives younger children and casual adult guests a simple two-player contest that does not involve throwing heavy objects. Search for a giant connect four to explore outdoor frames.
Picking Games for Your Crowd and Yard
Match games to your guest list so the gear does not sit unused in the corner of the yard.
Best Lawn Games for Adults With Drinks
If your event involves socializing with a beverage in hand, choose games that require only one free hand and minimal running. Cornhole and giant tumble tower excel here. Cornhole players can hold a drink in their non-dominant hand while tossing bags with their dominant hand. Giant tumble tower allows adults to converse around a patio table between slow, deliberate block pulls. Washers and ladder ball also fit this category, keeping physical movement low while maintaining friendly competition.
Lawn Games for Kids and Families
For parties with young children, pick games with forgiving targets and lightweight gear. Ladder ball and giant connect four are natural fits. The rubber or soft plastic bolas in ladder ball are easy for young kids to swing, and hitting any rung feels rewarding. Giant connect four removes throwing entirely, so toddlers and grandparents can compete on equal footing. If you introduce cornhole to children, move the boards closer together so they can land bags on the board without straining.
High-Energy Games for Athletic Crowds
When your guest list consists of teens, college friends, or sports enthusiasts, slow tossing games can feel too tame. Spikeball and KanJam provide fast, full-body exercise. KanJam demands diving tip-ins and aggressive leaping deflections to slam flying discs into plastic goals. Spikeball requires constant lateral shuffling, diving digs, and hand-eye coordination around the net. Both games need a wide safety perimeter clear of trees, fences, and lawn furniture.
Selecting by Lawn Size and Surface
Yard conditions dictate which games perform properly:
- Flat, manicured turf: Croquet and bocce need closely cut, level grass so balls roll smoothly without catching in deep turf or rolling off uneven slopes.
- Small yards and patios: Washers, giant tumble tower, and giant connect four operate on compact decks and paved surfaces without risk of balls flying into neighbor lots.
- Deep grass and uneven ground: Kubb, cornhole, and ladder ball tolerate bumpy terrain because throwing projectiles through the air bypasses ground imperfections entirely.
- Dirt or sand pits: Horseshoes requires soft turf or prepared sand pits to prevent heavy metal shoes from damaging grass or ricocheting off hard surfaces.
Rules Worth Settling Before the First Toss
Friendly backyard matches can turn contentious when house rules conflict. Review these three guidelines with your players before the first frame starts.
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Agree on throwing distances. Regulation cornhole boards stand 27 feet apart, and regulation horseshoe stakes sit 40 feet apart. For casual gatherings with mixed skill levels, moving the targets closer keeps rounds fast and fun. If you want official competitive measurements, check our guide to cornhole rules for tournament board placement, foul lines, and scoring calculations.
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Decide whether games require an exact score or a first-to-finish cutoff. In ladder ball and KanJam, games commonly go to exactly 21 points. Agree before play what happens to a team that goes over. If you have a long line of guests waiting to play, drop the exact-point requirement and award the win to the first team that reaches or exceeds 21. For rolling contests, read our breakdown of bocce ball rules to settle pallino delivery faults and measurement ties.
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Establish a clear rotation schedule for large parties. If you have twenty guests and one cornhole court, single games will leave sixteen people waiting on the sidelines. Run a winner-stays-on rule with a two-game maximum cap, or organize a quick single-elimination bracket. Set a lower target, such as 15 points instead of 21, so matches end sooner and everyone plays before food is served.
Who Should Skip Traditional Lawn Games
Traditional lawn games depend on clear weather, daylight, and usable outdoor ground. If your event takes place during rainy weather, high winds, or after dark without outdoor floodlights, heavy outdoor lawn games will frustrate your guests. High winds disrupt KanJam disc flights and tip over giant tumble towers before players even touch them, while wet grass creates slippery footing for active games like spikeball.
Events where guests wear formal clothing, such as cocktail receptions or tailored garden weddings, should also skip games requiring running or pitching heavy metal items. Guests wearing heels or dress clothes will avoid diving for KanJam discs or pitching horseshoes into muddy pits.
For indoor events, bad-weather backups, or gatherings where guests prefer sitting down, printable paper activities work much better. You can use our free browser-based bingo generator to create and print up to 60 custom cards with personalized word lists and an included call sheet. You can also explore our broader collection of party games for indoor parlor games and group puzzles.
When to Switch to Tournament Formats
Casual open play works well when guests wander freely between a buffet line, fire pit, and patio seating. In that informal setting, people can pick up bean bags for ten minutes and walk away whenever they want.
That casual structure fails when you run a competitive company outing, family reunion, or adult party where people expect organized competition. In those scenarios, casual open play leads to two players monopolizing the court while others sit idly. Switch to a structured bracket or a multi-sport tournament. You can incorporate several lawn games into a larger field competition using our guide to field day games for adults or combine them with drink challenges by organizing a multi-stage beer Olympics tournament.
What would change our answer: if your yard is small or most guests are holding drinks, swap spikeball and KanJam for cornhole, washers and giant tumble tower. Pick two or three games that fit your lawn surface and set out the gear before guests arrive.