As the sun blazes and backyard gatherings heat up, a new wave of yard games is taking center stage-blending fierce competition, vibrant culture, and must-have gear. Ready to level up your summer fun? Dive into the ultimate guide where tradition meets trend, and every toss counts.
But when I’m done playing bags, and before we wander off to wherever Dale saw that one dilapidated old Frisbee golf course, I’d like to try some new yard games. So I asked around the AELGAMES Slack for recommendations. Here’s what came back.
Ladderball
Ladderball is a fun and competitive yard game perfect for hot summer days. Players toss bolas-two balls connected by a string-aiming to wrap them around the rungs of a three-tiered ladder. Easy to set up and suitable for all ages, ladderball combines skill and strategy, making it a favorite at barbecues, picnics, and outdoor gatherings. Its fast-paced nature keeps everyone engaged, ensuring hours of entertainment under the sun.
Want to enjoy an easy tossing game with your friends and family that doesn’t require good aim? I got you. Ladderball is a simple and silly tossing game, but rather than individual balls or bean bags, it’s two balls connected with about six inches of rope between them. As such, when you toss the ball, it cartwheels through the air in a semi-unpredictable way (at least that’s what happens when I throw it, because I am terrible at throwing things in the direction I want to throw them).
To play the game, you set up the vertical ladders several feet apart, then split into two teams. My family usually plays one-on-one for fast games that allow plenty of time for snacks between rounds. One person from each team stands by one ladder as the teams alternate tossing their three balls at the other ladder, aiming for the highest rung. The string between the balls often wraps around one rung, but the game gets fun when you realize how easy it is to knock your pieces (or your opponent’s pieces) off the rungs. When that round is over, switch to the other ladder.
The top rung is worth three points, the middle is worth two, and the bottom is worth one. Most people play ladderball by seeing who can get to 10 points fastest. In addition to family-friendly fun, I also love this game because the balls are relatively soft, so it’s easy to play barefoot by the pool without worrying about getting lobbed. It’s also drunk-people-friendly, if that’s your thing. –Zoë Hannah
Ladderball set, steel frame
$60 $60 $65 at Amazon$60 at Target
Kubb
Kubb is a traditional outdoor lawn game with roots in Scandinavia, often called “Viking Chess.” It is played on a rectangular pitch, typically 5 by 8 meters, where two teams take turns throwing wooden batons to knock over ten smaller wooden blocks called kubbs, positioned on each team’s baseline. The ultimate goal is to topple the larger central piece known as the King. The game requires a set consisting of ten kubbs, one King, six throwing batons, and boundary stakes to mark the playing field. Kubb is enjoyed worldwide for its blend of strategy and skill, making it a perfect yard game for summer gatherings.
Kubb’s nickname, “Viking chess,” doubles as an elevator pitch. The lawn game – in which players stand on opposing sides of a rectangle, hurling batons at wooden pylons – mixes the strategy (if not quite the depth) of its heady board game peers with the Scandinavian pleasure of smashing hard things together. As with many great yard games, the rules are tedious to explain, yet easy to grok by simply watching folks play.
With that in mind, think of kicking off a match of kubb like starting a dance party: The toughest part is getting the first person to join in. But once a couple of people start playing, expect friends and neighbors to ask for their turn to toss one stick at another one. As these newcomers munch on snacks and sink into the game, they’ll discover tactics, like where to position skulls on the field. Or whether to gamble on long shots or take easier short-distance targets. Matches can last minutes or hours, with power shifting within a few tosses of the baton.
There’s one other detail that helps kubb earn its Viking chess shorthand. It can be played entirely with one hand, perfect for those adults who enjoy a game best when carrying some mead. –Chris Plante
Kubb
$45 $45 $45 at Amazon$60 at Target$60 at Walmart
Roundnet, aka Spikeball
Roundnet, also known as Spikeball, is quickly becoming the must-have yard game of the summer. Combining elements of volleyball and four-square, it’s fast-paced, energetic, and perfect for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re at the beach, park, or backyard, Roundnet offers endless fun and friendly competition, making it a staple for any summer gathering.
While the history of some beloved yard games goes back hundreds if not thousands of years, there’s one that sprang to life much more recently – circa 1989, in fact. I’m not talking about pickleball. In fact, I’m never talking about pickleball. Instead, I’m talking about Spikeball, also known as Roundnet.
Jeff Knurek is credited with creating Roundnet in 1989. In it, players gather near a round, trampoline-style net and spike a ball back and forth between two teams. The game is usually played 2v2 or 3v3. Either way, the action is fast and furious. Could you play the game seated with beer in hand? Sure, but it’s a lot more fun to tear it up barefoot on the beach and get a little silly as you’re able.
The entrepreneurs at Spikeball ran with the idea in the 2000s, leading to a successful appearance in 2015 on Shark Tank. (That’s when Daymond John got all excited and asked for 50% of the company. The deal ultimately fell apart.) Regardless, the marketing boost indirectly helped spur on interest in a professional circuit, and this summer you’ll likely see a few games played on ESPN. –Charlie Hall
Spikeball
$70 $70 $70 at Amazon$70 at Target$70 at Walmart
Trac-Ball
Trac-Ball is an engaging outdoor game where players use oversized rackets with basket-like scoops to catch and throw a ball back and forth. The game is notable for the ease of throwing curveballs, thanks to the grooves in the racquets and the ball’s design, allowing for skillful and dynamic play. Often compared to lacrosse in its catching and throwing technique, Trac-Ball offers fun for all ages and encourages coordination and movement. Sets typically include two large rackets and special air-action balls designed for impressive distance and curving throws, making it a perfect yard game for summer gatherings.
Wham-O, the same brand that first marketed the Hula-Hoop, cracked off another winner in 1976 with Trac-Ball, my personal favorite backyard game. The thing is. it’s not really a game. Technically it’s just a toy, but through trial and error I’ve turned it into a game – a game that I’m going to type out the rules of for the very first time today.
Trac-Ball is loosely based on jai alai, a sport where players use scoop-like cesta to hurl balls at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour on an indoor court. Trac-Ball uses similar biomechanics, but the wicker cesta is replaced with a light plastic racket with a toothed track inside. The ball is also much lighter and hollow. Get the arm motion just right and you can create an absolutely amazing amount of rotation on that little ball, lofting and curving its flight as you see fit.
My version of semi-organized Trac-Ball is a lot like Great Catch, a game that should be familiar to anyone who has ever played youth baseball. Basically, two players line up across from each other and try to make each other look as cool as possible catching the ball. Maybe you’re lofting the ball over your opponent’s head just far enough away that they can barely reach it before it hits the ground. Or maybe you’re curving it to such a degree that they must run headlong to the right or left to intercept it before it passes them. Or maybe you’re chucking it right at their chest, forcing them to post up and intercept the missile like a laser blast aimed at a Jedi. Matches go to 15, like a short game of volleyball, but with tennis-like scoring. That keeps the tension on until the very final few throws.
The only trick is that scoring is all based on the honor system. It’s up to you and your opponent to call out a bad toss and score it accordingly, or to note when you missed a catch that you should have had – no matter how graceful you thought you looked while attempting it. –CH
Trac-Ball
$9 $9 $27 at Amazon (Trac-Ball 2)$28 at Amazon (older model)$9 at 3x replacement Trac-Balls
Discover the hottest yard games taking over summer gatherings this year
This summer, backyard gatherings are buzzing with fresh excitement thanks to a lineup of the hottest yard games that blend easy fun, friendly competition, and social vibes. From the addictive spikeball that turns your lawn into a mini volleyball court, to the classic charm of cornhole and the strategic precision of bocce ball, these games are redefining outdoor entertainment for all ages. Whether you’re aiming for a casual toss or an energetic rally, this season’s yard game craze promises to keep your summer gatherings lively and unforgettable.
Which yard game is gaining popularity for summer 2023 fun
The yard game gaining significant popularity for summer 2023 fun is Spikeball. This fast-paced, energetic game involves teams of two spiking a small ball onto a bouncy net, challenging opponents to return it within three hits. Its easy-to-learn rules and intense rallies have made Spikeball an addictive and competitive backyard sport, rapidly becoming a favorite at outdoor gatherings. Additionally, classic games like Cornhole, Washer Toss, Horseshoes, Bocce Ball, and Croquet continue to be widely enjoyed, but Spikeball stands out as the breakout hit for 2023.
