Lawn Games Guide: Equipment, Rules and Setup

You just bought a lawn game set, ripped open the box, and now you’re staring at a pile of pieces wondering how this all works. Or maybe you’re trying to decide which lawn game to invest in before your next backyard party. Either way, this lawn games guide covers everything you need to know—equipment specs, official rules, setup instructions, and tips from someone who’s spent way too many weekends playing these games.

Quick answer: The five essential lawn games every household should consider are cornhole, bocce ball, horseshoes, croquet, and ladder toss. Each requires different amounts of space and equipment, and all of them are easy to learn within minutes. Below you’ll find detailed rules, setup dimensions, and equipment recommendations for each.

Cornhole: The Most Popular Lawn Game in America

Equipment You Need

• 2 cornhole boards – Regulation size is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long with a 6-inch diameter hole centered 9 inches from the top. Boards should have a slight incline, with the back edge sitting about 12 inches off the ground.
• 8 bean bags (4 per team) – Regulation bags weigh between 15.5 and 16.5 ounces and measure 6 inches square. All-weather bags filled with resin pellets hold up better than traditional corn-filled bags, which can absorb moisture and mold.

Setup

Place the two boards facing each other with the front edges 27 feet apart (this is the regulation distance used by the American Cornhole League). For casual play or smaller yards, 15–20 feet works well and makes the game more accessible for beginners. Make sure the boards are on level ground—even a slight slope changes the game significantly.

Rules

1. Two players (or two teams of two) take turns throwing bags at the opposite board.
2. Bag in the hole = 3 points. Bag on the board = 1 point.
3. Scoring uses cancellation scoring: only the team with the higher score in each round earns the difference. For example, if Team A scores 5 and Team B scores 3, Team A earns 2 points for that round.
4. First team to exactly 21 points wins. Some house rules allow going over 21, while others require you to hit it exactly (going over resets you to 15).
5. Players alternate throws, one bag at a time.

Pro Tips

In my experience, the biggest mistake beginners make is throwing too hard. A smooth, underhand arc with a slight spin gives you far more accuracy than a fastball toss. Aim for the top of the board and let the bag slide up toward the hole. Once you master the “slide,” your game improves dramatically.

Bocce Ball: The Ancient Game That’s Still Perfect

Equipment You Need

• 8 bocce balls (4 per team, in two distinct colors) – Regulation balls are about 107mm (4.2 inches) in diameter and weigh approximately 2 pounds each. Resin balls are the most common for recreational play.
• 1 pallino (target ball) – A smaller ball, typically 40–60mm in diameter, usually white or yellow.
• Measuring tape – For close calls (and there will be close calls).

Setup

Bocce can be played on almost any surface—grass, sand, gravel, or even a hard court. A standard bocce court is 76 feet long by 10 feet wide, but for backyard play, any flat open area at least 30 feet long works fine. Many players skip the formal court entirely and play on an open lawn, which is perfectly acceptable for casual games.

Mark a throwing line (foul line) at one end. Players must release the ball before stepping past this line.

Rules

1. One player tosses the pallino to start the frame. It must land past the center line and at least 5 feet from any wall or boundary.
2. The same team then throws the first bocce ball, trying to get it as close to the pallino as possible.
3. The opposing team then throws until one of their balls is closer to the pallino than the nearest opponent’s ball—or until they run out of balls.
4. Once all 8 balls are thrown, the frame is scored. Only the team closest to the pallino scores. They earn 1 point for each ball closer to the pallino than the opponent’s nearest ball.
5. First team to 12 points wins (some groups play to 15 or 16).

Pro Tips

Bocce is as much about strategy as aim. Sometimes it’s better to knock an opponent’s ball away from the pallino than to place your own perfectly. This is called a “spock” or “raffa” shot. Learning when to finesse and when to blast is what separates casual players from serious competitors.

Horseshoes: A Timeless Backyard Classic

Equipment You Need

• 4 horseshoes (2 per player/team) – Regulation horseshoes weigh about 2.5 pounds each and are no more than 7.25 inches wide. Recreational sets are often lighter and rubber-coated for safety.
• 2 metal stakes – Regulation stakes are 1 inch in diameter and extend 14–15 inches above ground level, with a slight forward lean (about 3 inches toward the opposite stake).

Setup

Drive the stakes into the ground 40 feet apart (center to center). Each stake should sit in the middle of a “pit”—a rectangular area of loose sand, dirt, or clay measuring about 6 feet long by 3 feet wide. The pit absorbs the impact and prevents horseshoes from bouncing wildly.

For casual backyard play, you can reduce the distance to 20–30 feet and use any soft ground. The key is that the stake is firmly set and won’t move when a horseshoe hits it.

Rules

1. Players stand beside one stake and throw toward the other.
2. Ringer (around the stake) = 3 points. Leaner (touching the stake) = 2 points. Closest shoe within one horseshoe width of the stake = 1 point.
3. Like cornhole, horseshoes uses cancellation scoring—only the player/team with the higher score in each inning earns the difference.
4. First to 21 points (or 40 points in tournament play) wins.
5. Both players throw two horseshoes per inning before scoring.

Pro Tips

There are two primary throwing techniques: the flip (the shoe rotates vertically end over end) and the turn (the shoe rotates horizontally like a frisbee, usually 1¼ turns). Most competitive players prefer the 1¼-turn technique because the open end of the horseshoe faces the stake on arrival. Practice one style consistently rather than switching between them.

Croquet: More Strategic Than You Think

Equipment You Need

• 6 mallets (one per player) – Standard mallets are about 36 inches long with a wooden or composite head.
• 6 balls (matching mallet colors) – Standard diameter is about 3.625 inches.
• 9 wickets (hoops) – Wire hoops pushed into the ground that balls must pass through.
• 2 stakes – One at each end of the course to mark the start/finish.

Setup

A standard 9-wicket croquet court is 100 feet long by 50 feet wide, but the game adapts well to smaller spaces. For a typical backyard, a 50×25 foot area works. The wicket arrangement forms a double-diamond pattern with a center wicket.

Push each wicket firmly into the ground so it’s stable but not so deep that balls can’t pass through. The gap between the wicket wires should allow only about ⅛ inch of clearance on each side of the ball—tight enough to require precision.

Rules (9-Wicket American Backyard Croquet)

1. Players take turns hitting their ball through the wickets in a prescribed order, starting from the first stake.
2. Each time you pass through a wicket in the correct direction, you earn a bonus stroke.
3. Hitting another player’s ball (a “roquet”) also earns bonus strokes and allows you to “send” their ball by placing yours against it and hitting your ball, which transfers energy to both.
4. The first player to complete the entire course (all wickets in both directions) and hit the final stake wins.

Pro Tips

Croquet rewards both accuracy and ruthlessness. Sending opponents’ balls into distant corners of the yard is not just allowed—it’s encouraged. The game’s social reputation hides a deeply competitive core. What I wish I knew when starting: positioning matters more than power. Short, controlled shots that set up your next wicket are almost always better than big whacks.

Ladder Toss: Simple Setup, Surprising Fun

Equipment You Need

• 2 ladder targets – Each “ladder” has three horizontal rungs: top, middle, and bottom. Standard ladders are about 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall, made from PVC pipe or wood.
• 6 bolas (3 per team) – Each bola consists of two golf balls connected by a nylon rope, roughly 13 inches apart.

Setup

Place the two ladders 15 feet apart (official distance), facing each other on level ground. That’s it—setup takes about 60 seconds. For families with young kids, you can shorten the distance to 10 feet.

Rules

1. Players stand behind one ladder and toss bolas at the opposite ladder.
2. Top rung = 3 points. Middle rung = 2 points. Bottom rung = 1 point.
3. Bolas must wrap around the rung and hang freely to count. Bolas that bounce off don’t score.
4. Each player throws all 3 bolas per round before the other player throws.
5. First to exactly 21 points wins. Going over 21 resets your score for that round (your points from that round don’t count).

Pro Tips

The secret to accurate ladder toss is releasing the bola with a smooth, upward arc and minimal spin. Let the bola swing naturally like a pendulum before releasing. Trying to throw hard or adding spin usually sends it flying past the target. Aim for the center of the rung and let the rope do the wrapping.

Kubb: The Viking Game You Should Know About

Equipment You Need

• 10 kubbs (rectangular wooden blocks, approximately 7×3×3 inches)
• 1 king (larger block, about 12×3.5×3.5 inches)
• 6 batons (round throwing sticks, about 12 inches long and 1.75 inches diameter)
• 4 corner stakes (to mark the pitch)

Setup

Mark a rectangular pitch approximately 26 feet long by 16 feet wide. Place 5 kubbs along each baseline. Place the king in the exact center of the pitch. Teams stand behind their respective baselines.

Rules

1. Team 1 throws their 6 batons (underhand) at Team 2’s baseline kubbs, trying to knock them over.
2. Team 2 gathers any knocked-over kubbs and throws them into Team 1’s half of the field. These become “field kubbs” and must be stood up where they land.
3. Team 2 then throws their batons, but must knock down all field kubbs before targeting baseline kubbs.
4. Play alternates until one team knocks down all opponent kubbs and then topples the king to win.
5. Important: If you knock over the king before clearing all kubbs, you lose immediately.

Pro Tips

Kubb strategy centers on where you throw field kubbs. Grouping them close together makes them easier to knock down with a single baton. Advanced players aim to cluster field kubbs near the king so they can potentially knock down multiple targets. Batons must be thrown underhand and end-over-end—no helicopter throws allowed.

Equipment Comparison Table

Essential Tips for Any Lawn Game

1. Level ground matters more than you think. Spend 5 minutes finding the flattest part of your yard before setting up. Slopes affect every throwing game.
2. Buy quality over quantity. One well-made cornhole set will outlast three cheap ones. Look for solid wood boards, resin bocce balls, and weighted horseshoes from reputable brands.
3. Keep a tape measure handy. Settling disputes about “which ball is closer” without a measuring tape leads to arguments. Bocce especially needs this.
4. Mow the lawn first. Long grass slows down bocce balls, hides horseshoes, and makes croquet miserable. A freshly mowed lawn transforms the playing experience.
5. Store equipment properly. Weather-damaged equipment is the number one reason people stop playing lawn games. Bring everything inside or store it in a waterproof deck box after each use.
6. Learn the real rules before inventing house rules. Most lawn games are surprisingly well-designed. The official rules usually create the best experience, and knowing them means you can play anywhere with anyone.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

• Throwing too hard. This applies to cornhole, bocce, horseshoes, and ladder toss. Accuracy comes from control, not power. A softer throw with good arc beats a fastball almost every time.
• Ignoring the wind. Lightweight bolas and bean bags are affected by even moderate wind. Adjust your aim and power accordingly.
• Setting up on uneven ground. A sloped playing surface changes everything. Balls roll off-target, horseshoes bounce oddly, and nobody has fun.
• Not reading the rules fully. Cancellation scoring in cornhole and horseshoes confuses many first-time players. Take 2 minutes to explain the scoring before starting—it avoids frustration mid-game.
• Buying the cheapest set available. Budget sets often have undersized boards, lightweight balls, or flimsy construction. You don’t need tournament-grade equipment, but avoid the dollar-store tier.

Wrapping Up

Lawn games are one of the simplest ways to upgrade any outdoor gathering. With the right equipment and a basic understanding of the rules, you can host a tournament-style afternoon or just enjoy a casual game with family. Start with one or two games from this guide, learn them well, and expand your collection from there.

If you’re looking for more ways to entertain guests outdoors, our guide to backyard games adults actually want to play covers 20 options across every category. And when the weather pushes you indoors, explore our roundup of the best 8 player board games for group fun, or discover different types of board games to find your perfect match.

Now grab your gear, head outside, and play. The rules are simple, the setup is quick, and the fun is guaranteed.