The Best Choices For Backyard Games This Summer

When having a backyard barbecue it is always a fun idea to also have a few options for games to entertain your guests. Games not only mix up the day a bit, but also add a bit of competition for you and your guests. Luckily there are a number of excellent group games to choose from, each of which are discussed below.

Cornhole (also known as Corn Toss or Bag-o): The game of Cornhole is a four person game involving tossing bags full of corn toward slanted wooden boards with a hole in the middle. Points are scored if you get the bags either on the board or in the hole. All in all, Cornhole is actually quite similar to horseshoes, but safer since no metal is used.

Ladderball (also known as Testicle Toss or Bolo Toss): This game involves a PVC ladder constructed in the shape of a three rung ladder. Players toss bolos, which are two golf balls connected by a string, at the ladders and score depending on if the bolos wrap around and stay on the ladder. Normally the game is a two vs. two game, but can be adapted for other sized groups.

Bocce Ball: A popular backyard game originally from Italy, Bocce ball involves two teams trying to toss their team's balls closest to a smaller white ball that serves as the target. Bocce is traditionally played two vs. two, but can be adapted to accommodate eight players since there are eight balls thrown per game.

Washers: A more recent creation, Washers is in a similar vein to cornhole yet involves a smaller wooden box as the target and players toss large metal or plastic washers instead of the corn bags.

There are certainly a number of other excellent backyard games that can help take your barbecue to the next level, but these are some more recent favorites.