
5 Backyard Games Anybody Can Get Good At
Looking for simple, fun ways to spend time outdoors with family and friends? Backyard games provide hours of entertainment and are always a great time for those involved. However, if your group likes to get a bit more competitive, you probably don’t want something that’s too easy. In order to ensure everyone has a fighting chance, here are five backyard games to try out that anyone can get good at.
Cornhole
Cornhole is a backyard staple that combines precision and patience. The game involves tossing bean bags onto a slanted board with a hole near the top. Sounds simple, right? Here’s the catch—you only get points if you beat your opponent that round, so you’ll need to get good to have a chance at pulling out the victory. Fortunately, there are plenty of techniques for perfecting your cornhole game. If you want our advice, though, we’d recommend trying to achieve a gentle arc in your throw to increase your chances of landing it exactly where you want without it sliding off the board.
Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is an easy-to-learn, strategic game great for beginners and seasoned players alike. The objective is straightforward—get your bocce balls as close as possible to the smaller target ball, called the pallino. For maximum precision, focus on controlling your ball’s speed while predicting how it will roll on different surfaces. If you’re feeling confident, you can even knock your opponent’s balls away from the pallino to ensure your victory. Practice your aim and pacing, and you’ll dominate the lawn in no time.
Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a timeless backyard classic with one simple goal—toss your horseshoes as close as possible to the metal stake (or better yet, ring it around the stake). The key here is to master a consistent grip and swing, aiming for accuracy rather than speed. A slight underhand toss with some backspin can be surprisingly effective. While it may feel tricky at first, like the other entries in this list so far, it’s all about rhythm and repetition, making it a crowd-pleaser for players of all skill levels.
Ladder Toss
Ladder toss is yet another throwing game, but it’s a bit more unique. The goal is to throw bolas (two balls connected by a string) and have them wrap around one of the rungs of a ladder. Each rung scores different points, with the top being the hardest to hit. Start by trying to get consistent with hitting the lower rungs before moving up to the harder ones. Utilizing a slight backspin can help stabilize the bola midflight, making it easier to aim for your desired rung. With a bit of practice, you’ll be landing points effortlessly in no time.
Spikeball
Spikeball takes things to another level with its fast-paced, volleyball-meets-trampoline energy. The game is played with a small, bouncy net situated low to the ground, and the objective is to bounce the ball onto the net in ways that make it challenging for your opponents to return. To improve quickly, practice your hand-eye coordination and positioning. Develop a versatile skill set, switching between defensive dives and strategic spikes. While this backyard game takes a bit of getting used to, anyone can get good at it once they get the hang of it.