Following the pandemic which forced people to stay at home and isolate, backyard games are seeing a resurgence. With many games to choose from, a family may question which they should try next. The following are five family-friendly games that can be played outdoors. 

9 Square

Children the world over may know four square, a classic playground game. The game 9 square is a take on this game but is played in the air.

The goal remains the same, which is to advance to the King or Queen center square. Players move the ball by hitting it with their bodies, but the ball cannot touch the ground. The player must hit it into another person’s square or they are out. 

Individuals who wish to play this game should check out Castle Sports’ 9 square. This portable court can go anywhere a person goes, so they never have to miss out on the fun. 

Swedish Skittles

The game Swedish Skittles goes by many names. In fact, quite a few people know this game as Kubbs. The objective is to knock over the other team’s pegs by throwing wooden batons at them. 

Many people describe this game as a cross between bowling and horseshoes. Once a team’s pegs have been knocked down, the opposing team turns its focus to knocking down the king in the center of the playing field. Whichever team takes out the king first wins. 

Croquet

Croquet has been around for centuries now and involves nothing more than knocking wooden balls through hoops using a mallet. At first glance, the game seems fairly easy. However, making the shot can be quite difficult. 

This doesn’t mean people shy away from the game. In fact, there is now a six-wicket version for those who want to increase the level of competition. The challenge lies in hitting the wooden ball through a hoop that is much smaller than seen in the conventional croquet game. 

Individuals who have mastered the nine-wicket version may want to try their hand at the six-wicket game. Doing so allows them to improve their skills. 

Obstacle Course

There are times when a person doesn’t have the equipment to play 9 square or croquet. This doesn’t mean they must miss out on the fun.

Any person can create an obstacle course regardless of where they are. Take items available in the area and find ways to create challenges with them. 

One person may set up this course or all participants may join in the fun and create challenges. In fact, the game can be expanded by allowing people to compete to see not only who can beat the course in the fastest time but who can come up with the most difficult challenge. 

Cornhole

Cornhole has swept the nation in recent years, and many people don’t know this game was actually invented several centuries ago. As the story goes, a cabinetmaker back in the fourteenth century saw children throwing rocks into a groundhog’s hole. He realized how unsafe that was and created cornhole as an alternative.

The name comes from the fact that the original game was played using a bag of corn. Participants would throw this bag of corn into the home rather than a stone.

Today, the game is so popular that some matches are televised. Individuals can compete to win cash prizes. However, anyone can play this game in their backyard, so nobody has to miss out on the fun.

Try one of these games today. Families that do find they have a new activity they love and want to engage in regularly. These family-friendly games are only a few of many available today, however, so be sure to explore the entire range to find those that will become favorites of all family members.