Our top picks at a glance
Best all-ages crowd-pleaser
GoSports cornhole setsSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Cookouts, tailgates and families.Best for active groups
Spikeball roundnet setSee itPrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Active groups, teens and adults.Best relaxed classic
Bocce setsCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Mixed-age gatherings and relaxed afternoons.Best quick-setup game
Ladder toss setsCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Cookouts and camping.Best for strategy fans
Kubb (Viking chess) setsCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Adults and teens who like a game with a bit of tactics.Best tradition
Horseshoe setsCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Adults and older kids.Best two-in-one
Badminton and volleyball combo setsCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Families who like variety.
The best lawn game is the one that gets everyone off their phones, and that depends on your group and your yard. These are the ones that earn their space.
The short answer
- Everyone: cornhole.
- Active crowd: roundnet.
- Relaxed afternoons: bocce.
- Tight on space: ladder toss.
How we picked
We compared what each game needs in space, how easy it is to learn, how it suits different ages and how well typical sets are made. We list game types and well-known lines rather than exact models, and we have not hands-on tested them. See our methodology.
Our top picks
Best all-ages crowd-pleaser
GoSports cornhole sets
Regulation-size boards with bags and a carry case, ready for a cookout.
Regulation-size boards with a carry case are an easy win at any cookout. They are bulky to store and heavier than folding sets, and board quality varies across price levels.
What we like
- Regulation-size boards on many sets
- Carry cases make them easy to move and store
- Fun for every age
Trade-offs
- Boards are bulky to store
- Heavier than lightweight folding sets
- Quality of boards differs between price levels
- Best for
- Cookouts, tailgates and families.
- Skip it if
- You are short on storage space.
Best for active groups
Spikeball roundnet set
A fast, athletic game that needs little more than a flat patch of lawn.
A fast, athletic game that needs a flat patch of lawn and little else. It is physical and the ball is hard, so it is not for everyone.
What we like
- Easy to learn and quick to set up
- Works on grass, sand or a patio
- Packs into a small bag
Trade-offs
- Fast and physical, so it is not for everyone
- Needs about a 20 ft circle of clear space
- The ball is hard, so mind faces and fingers
- Best for
- Active groups, teens and adults.
- Skip it if
- You want a relaxed game for all ages.
Best relaxed classic
Bocce sets
A relaxed lawn classic that all ages can play.
An easy-to-learn game for all ages that sets up on any level lawn. It needs a long, flat strip, and cheap resin sets feel light.
What we like
- Easy to learn
- Fits a long, narrow lawn
- Sets pack up in a bag
Trade-offs
- Needs a level, fairly flat lawn
- Cheap resin sets feel light
- Takes a long strip of space
- Best for
- Mixed-age gatherings and relaxed afternoons.
- Skip it if
- Your lawn is bumpy or very short.
Best quick-setup game
Ladder toss sets
A simple toss game that sets up in a minute.
A simple toss game that sets up in a minute, great for kids and adults. Light frames tip in wind, and small pieces vanish in long grass.
What we like
- Quick to set up
- Compact for the fun it brings
- Great for kids and adults
Trade-offs
- Light frames can tip in wind
- Small prizes and bolas get lost in long grass
- Cheaper sets break at the joints
- Best for
- Cookouts and camping.
- Skip it if
- You want a competitive, skill-heavy game.
Best for strategy fans
Kubb (Viking chess) sets
A strategic wooden throwing game with a loyal following.
A wooden throwing game with real tactics and a loyal following. It needs a decent amount of space, and wood can weather over time.
What we like
- Easy rules and plenty of strategy
- Wooden sets look good on the lawn
- Works for teams
Trade-offs
- Needs a fair amount of space
- Wood can crack or weather over time
- Some sets are short of instructions
- Best for
- Adults and teens who like a game with a bit of tactics.
- Skip it if
- You want something louder and more athletic.
A backyard staple that still works. Steel shoes are heavy, so supervise children, and you need to dig in stakes and use a long strip of lawn.
What we like
- Simple and satisfying
- Sets are cheap and last for years
- Lots of regional tradition
Trade-offs
- Steel shoes are heavy, so supervise children
- Needs digging and stakes for the pit
- Uses a long strip of lawn
- Best for
- Adults and older kids.
- Skip it if
- You have young children and a small yard.
Best two-in-one
Badminton and volleyball combo sets
One adjustable net and two games in a bag.
One adjustable net for two games, which is great for variety. Wind affects badminton most, and the net needs firm stakes.
What we like
- Two games for one purchase
- Adjustable net heights
- Great at a picnic or beach
Trade-offs
- Wind affects badminton most
- Nets sag if the stakes are not firm
- Needs a good-size lawn
- Best for
- Families who like variety.
- Skip it if
- You have a tiny yard.
How to choose
Match the game to the group
Mixed ages want something simple like cornhole, ladder toss or bocce. Active groups like roundnet. Competitive adults often enjoy kubb or horseshoes.
Check the space
Some games need long strips and some need circles. Use our game space checker to see what fits, and read the space guide for backyard games.
Think about storage
Cornhole boards and big nets take space. If your garage is full, choose compact games.
Think about safety
Keep heavy or hard items for older kids and watch for tripping hazards around the play area.
Pair it with a party
Games go well with a cookout. Our free backyard party planner works out the food, drinks and ice, and our pickleball net guide covers the big one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best backyard game for adults?
Cornhole is the most popular because anyone can play it and it works well alongside a drink and a conversation. For something more athletic, try roundnet, and for something more tactical, try kubb.
What lawn games need the least space?
Ladder toss, cornhole and roundnet need the least room. Bocce, kubb and horseshoes need long, narrow strips, and volleyball and badminton need the most.
What are the best lawn games for kids?
Ladder toss, bocce and a simple badminton set are friendly for young kids. Keep heavy items such as horseshoes for older children and supervise.
Do lawn games make good gifts?
Yes. They suit nearly anyone with a yard and they are easy to wrap. A cornhole set or roundnet set is a classic gift for cookout hosts.
Alex Mercer brings 15 years of experience and a practical editorial approach to Backyard Review. Alex compares published product information, installation needs and ownership costs, highlighting trade-offs and distinguishing research from documented hands-on experience.
