Goof Off In The Sun

If you are someone who gets pretty bored at barbecues. Sure, standing around drinking beer and grilling is fun. But there’s no outdoor gathering that can’t be improved with a little fierce, and friendly competition in the sun is nothing more you can ask for. That’s where this assortment of excellent outdoor games comes in. From simple classics to newer creations, there’s sure to be something you’ll enjoy during the nicest weather of the year.

Whether you’re playing with family or friends, who are sporty or a certified klutz. Games bring people together, whether they’re 10 or 30 or 70. Don't skip on those precious sunny days away — as the real enthusiasm is all about time, let’s take back to the pure enjoyment of the seasons that we wait all year to experience outdoors. We have curated classic lawn games ranging from new favourites to timeless classics.

Read FHM India in the digital libraryEvery issue, every shoot, on TCG Media.

Cornhole Set

Among the most popular lawn games, a simple yet addictive lawn game that anybody can play and enjoy, cornhole is the stuff of happy childhood memories. We love this game because it’s as competitive or as casual as you want it to be. Plus, the learning curve is practically horizontal. This cornhole set includes two full-size boards, four blue and four red bean bags, and a carrying case so you can also have fun when tailgating, camping, or in lawn. Played one-on-one or in teams of two, the game requires players or teams to take alternating turns throwing their four bean bags at the opponent’s boards. Each round ends once all bags have been thrown; every bag that makes it onto a board earns one point, while any bags that are thrown (or pushed) into the hole earn three points. The first to 21 points wins. They make the game feel a bit more professional, and last longer with rough use. This one also easily packs up, so you can bring it to the lawn.

A simple yet addictive lawn game that anybody can play and enjoy, it is the stuff that may remind of happy childhood memories.

Spikeball 3 Ball Kit

Spikeball has “quickly turned into a summertime staple,” growing in popularity over the past several years amongst summer campers. It is like volleyball — but instead of hitting the ball over a net, you bounce the ball off of one. To play, you need four players divided into two teams of two, with the objective being to bounce the ball off the net in a way that prevents the other team from being able to bounce it back. A team is allowed up to three touches to return the ball and a round, or rally, continues until a team can’t return it. Being one of the greatest lawn games ever invented and is being played with both 5-year-olds and 65-year-olds. So, what are you waiting for, dive, dodge, and run around in a circle to spike the ball back onto its springy centre net.

Croquet Set with Boat and Tote

Whether your cultural reference point is Bridgerton, Heathers, or family vacations, there’s something delightfully kitsch about playing croquet. People have enjoyed this quintessential lawn game for centuries — and still do. Dating back to the 1800s, it’s not as common anymore, but figuring out how to play the game is half the fun. The main objective is to hit the balls of your team through a course of hoops that you design, scoring points along the way as you hit the balls through them in the right order. Its painted-wood mallets and balls are carried in a durable cotton case that resembles the brand’s iconic Boat and Tote bag. This bougie classic has been an excellent game. So, just pick your favourite color and smash your way through the wickets faster than the rest, with bonus points for launching your enemies as far as you can into the weeds. They all hold up well, as long as you keep them in the case between uses and don't over-tighten the mallet heads.

Bottle Bash Set

For more higher-intensity outdoor parties and gatherings, Bottle Bash offers the simple yet addictive joys of hurling a Frisbee at a pole, in order to knock a large plastic bottle off the top of it. Best played with at least two teams of two, it involves players taking turns throwing the Frisbee at their opponent’s pole to earn points, while the defending team works to catch the Frisbee and the bottle before they fall and hit the ground. If you fail to catch one or the other, the opposing team is awarded points. The other catch: You can only use one hand for the entirety of the game. Traditionally, the first team that scores either 15 (for shorter games) or 21 points (for longer games) while holding at least a two-point lead wins. The game can be played on a 20-, 30-, or 40- foot court depending on the players’ skill level. And never fear: The game’s bottles, though weighted similarly to standard beer bottles, are empty and made of plastic.

Mölkky

Here’s a less-preppy wooden lawn game with Scandinavian charm. Mölkky, is a cross between bowling, billiards, and blackjack, with a mix of strategy, skill, and luck. If you want to take this game for camping, it’s a nice pick for standing around with a few drinks in the afternoon. To play, you first need to arrange the numbered pins on the ground in a diamond shape. Then, from about ten feet away, you take the “throwing skittle” and toss it underhand, towards the diamond. If you’ll knock down a single numbered pin, you’ll get points equal to the number displayed on it; if you knock down several pins at once, you get one point for each one you knock down. In other words, to earn five points, either you knock down five pins in one toss, or you take out the one pin with the number five etched on top. To win, a player must score 50 points — if you accidentally take down too many pins, your score goes back down to 25 and gameplay resumes. As with billiards, you start the next player’s turn by standing the numbered pins upright exactly where they landed, making each round more challenging than the last. Though it may sound complicated, each game goes by pretty quickly, and first-timers will have no trouble picking up the rules. As we got you covered.

From the May 2023 issue of FHM India.