World Lawn Games

From Pétanque to kids' games — outdoor games by group size

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Players1v1 Small group Medium group Team

ActionThrowing Striking Ball game Territory

RegionEurope Nordic UK North America Asia From Japan

AudienceFamily-friendly Youth Seniors

StyleTraditional Competitive Party Indie

Illustration of two large lawn darts standing point-down in the grass beside a target ring

Lawn Darts (Jarts) 101 — America's Backyard Classic, and Its Safety Story

Lawn darts (Jarts) is an American backyard game: lob weighted darts underhand into a ground ring to score. Metal-tipped originals were banned in 1988; use only soft-tip safe versions today.

United States · 2–4 players

Illustration of a wanage stand with nine numbered pegs and red, yellow, and blue rings on grass

Wanage 101 — Japan's Classic Ring-Toss Game from the Festival Stalls

Wanage is Japan's classic ring-toss game from festivals and senior recreation: toss nine rings onto a numbered peg board to score. Rules, gear, and tips.

Japan · 1–8 players

Illustration of a three-rung ladder with bolas (two balls joined by a rope) draped over the rungs

Ladder Golf 101 — The American Backyard Game of Tossing Bolas onto a Ladder

Ladder Golf (Ladder Toss) is an American backyard game: toss bolas — two balls on a rope — at a three-rung ladder. Gear, rules, and tips to hit exactly 21.

United States · 2–4 players

Illustration of two angled cornhole wooden boards and red/blue bean bags on grass

Cornhole 101 — America's Favorite Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game

Cornhole (bean bag toss) is a 2v2 outdoor game where players toss fabric bags at an angled wooden board to sink them in the hole. A staple at BBQs, tailgates, and camps across the USA — simple rules, multigenerational appeal, and growing fast worldwide. Rules, equipment, and tips.

USA · 2–4 players

Illustration of a tóu hú vase and arrows on grass

Tóu Hú 101 — The 2,500-Year-Old Chinese Vase-Throwing Game

Tóu hú is a classical Chinese game dating to the Zhou dynasty: throw arrow-like sticks into a special vase with side handles to score points. Recorded in the Confucian Liji, later spread to Korea (tuho) and Japan. A graceful, family-friendly game for festivals and gardens.

China / Korea · 2–8 players

Illustration of red and green Bocce balls and a small white pallino on grass

Bocce 101 — Italy's Beloved Lawn Ball Game with Ancient Roots

Bocce traces back to Ancient Egypt and Rome, and remains Italy's most popular lawn ball game today. Roll bigger balls towards a small target (pallino) — easier than bowling, more rolling than petanque. Rules, equipment, and tips.

Italy · 2–8 players

Illustration of Kubb pieces — the crowned king, five rectangular kubbs, and a throwing baton on grass

Kubb 101 — Sweden's 'Viking Chess' on the Lawn

Popularized on the Swedish island of Gotland, Kubb is a team throwing game where players knock down opponents' wooden blocks and finally the king. Strategic enough to earn the nickname 'Viking Chess', easy enough for families. Rules, equipment, and tips for enjoying it on the grass.

Sweden · 2–12 players

Illustration of twelve numbered wooden Mölkky skittles arranged on grass with the throwing pin in front

Mölkky 101 — Finland's Wooden Throwing Game with the Magic 50

Born in Finland in 1996, Mölkky is a throwing game where you knock down numbered wooden pins to score exactly 50 points. Family-friendly, deeply strategic, and rapidly popular worldwide. Rules, equipment, and tips for enjoying it on the grass.

Finland · 2–12 players

Illustration of three metal petanque boules and a small wooden cochonnet on grass

Petanque 101 — France's Beloved Lawn Game with Boules

Born in Provence, France, petanque is a casual yet strategic boules game where players throw metal balls to land closest to a small target. Rules, equipment, and tips for enjoying it on the grass.

France · 1–6 players