Favorite yard games for small yards?

[NCGrandma]

Here’s a challenge for you creative types!! I need ideas!

Like many families these days, my family is staying home except for occasional outings to nearby parks and nature preserves, or bike rides around the neighborhood. The 4 of them (2 adults, one 16 y.o. and one 9 y.o.) are spending lots of time in their back yard, which has a good sized play structure, a newly-added fire pit, and a sprinkler that can be pulled out on hot days. They are not having friends over so they’d like things that all 4 of them can enjoy (or at least tolerate!!). That leaves out things like Nerf guns [emoji1]

Not much room for large yard games, but I’d like some ideas of what I might order for them. I suggested badminton but their yard is too small They have a bocce set, and a beanbag game (aka cornhole). They are interested in croquet — what should I look for in a croquet set?

What am I overlooking? I’m counting on BBB creativity!

[KpbS]

I was going to suggest Bocce but saw that they already have that. One thing that is surprisingly fun (and cheap) is balloon ball. One inflated, regular latex balloon, you make up the rules/court, eg how many hits. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon_(game) It's so simple, it often ends up being really funny as you strive to hit the balloon and make it go where you want it to go.

Also there is Spikeball https://spikeball.com/pages/official-rules

[elbenn]

Ladder golf is fun: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Ladder-Toss-Outdoor-Carrying/dp/B0145IWKBE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=ladder+golf&qid=1594953241&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTVlITEtJSTRBWDVXJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTQ0MzkxMkJXTkxGQTUwVlBLQSZlbmN yeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODczMzc2MjhQRVRZSDFPVlI3RSZ3aWRnZ XROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05 vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

The favorite outdoor game around here is ping pong. You can get outdoor tables that fold up when not in use:

https://www.amazon.com/JOOLA-Tournament-Playability-All-Weather-Durability/dp/B00GBADAT6/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=outdoor+ping+pong+table&qid=1594953317&sr=8-6

[SnuggleBuggles]

Was going to say ladderball too. Our friends made theirs out of PVC pipes and joints, used golf balls and rope for the balls. Lots of fun!
Big Jenga


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[petesgirl]

I 3rd ladderball! Tons of fun for all ages-- my 9 yr old loves playing it.

[newnana]

If they haven't played before and you don't want to spend a lot, we are happy with the $5 ladderball set from 5 Below. They also have other fun looking outdoor games we haven't tried like the Trampoline ball and Target Toss. Our family doesn't tend to go to the Slam Jam, but they have one of those as well:
https://www.fivebelow.com/categories/toys-and-games/outdoor-toys-and-games

HTH!

[SASM]

Shoot... I just noticed that you have Cornhole. Leaving this anyway for future reference. The guy is great to work with!😉

Kind of pricey but high quality and has longevity - I just bought these custom cornhole boards for DH. He’s been wanting a set for a while but wouldn’t pull the trigger. They are REALLY popular around here.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/708446972/custom-cornhole-boards-only-bean-bag?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

I also second ladder ball and bocce (that you already have). I also bought a set of quick-fill 200+ mini balloons at Costco for the occasion water balloon treat.

[mikala]

If they have space to play it Kubb is awesome!

[ang79]

We own Ladder Ball but haven't actually used it yet this summer. The girls would love a Corn Hole set but hubby doesn't want the big boards to store. I picked up a yard game set at Aldi, it included badminton, frisbee, volleyball, Jai Alai (which we nicknamed scoop ball), and ring toss. The girls play the scoop ball the most. We also got Bocce, great to play with all 4 of us. My brother has a Kan Jam set which is always a hit at family picnics, as well as a metal washer toss game (toss the metal washers into holes for points). I think a croquet set would be fun, I remember playing with that at my grandma's house when I was a kid.

Other outdoor items we have been enjoying this summer are squirt guns (can't do water balloons because I'm afraid the dog would pick up the pieces), hammock, and just playing board or card games on a picnic blanket or at the patio table if it is shady.

[jgenie]

Does anyone have a croquet set to recommend? I would love to buy a set but there are so many from which to choose.

[NCGrandma]

Does anyone have a croquet set to recommend? I would love to buy a set but there are so many from which to choose.

My question, too!! Hard to know where to start, for a family set. Does anyone have this one? It seemed like a reasonable middle ground...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07597J7NL?pf_rd_r=WBYX1AXCSJ7KW87SS5B0&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee


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[acmom]

Not actually a "yard" game, but if they have a driveway, pickleball is fun!
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/monarch-complete-pickleball-game-set-16mo2umnrchntstxxpck/16mo2umnrchntstxxpck?Product=ProductSuggest

[NCGrandma]

My question, too!! Hard to know where to start, for a family set. Does anyone have this one? It seemed like a reasonable middle ground...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07597J7NL?pf_rd_r=WBYX1AXCSJ7KW87SS5B0&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee


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Ok, I just ordered this set. (If you’ve had bad experiences with it, I don’t want to know [emoji1]) Worst case, they can send it back...


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[NCGrandma]

Not actually a "yard" game, but if they have a driveway, pickleball is fun!
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/monarch-complete-pickleball-game-set-16mo2umnrchntstxxpck/16mo2umnrchntstxxpck?Product=ProductSuggest

Interesting! A number of folks at my CCRC are BIG pickle ball fans. Unfortunately probably not ideal for a short, steep driveway.


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[jgenie]

Ok, I just ordered this set. (If you’ve had bad experiences with it, I don’t want to know [emoji1]) Worst case, they can send it back...


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Please report back when they get it. I have a few things to hold us for now but will probably order a croquet set before summer ends. Thank you!

[NCGrandma]

Please report back when they get it. I have a few things to hold us for now but will probably order a croquet set before summer ends. Thank you!

My family finally has had some "croquet weather" (not too hot, not pouring rain!) and have used the set I ordered for them. It worked well.

It’s this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07597J7NL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



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[jgenie]

My family finally has had some "croquet weather" (not too hot, not pouring rain!) and have used the set I ordered for them. It worked well.

It’s this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07597J7NL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



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Thanks for the update!

We bought this a few weeks ago and have been having fun with it.

https://www.target.com/p/triumph-kubb/-/A-54515805