# BackyardGamesTested

> Backyard and lawn game guides: cornhole boards and bags, bocce, horseshoes, ladder toss, kubb, croquet, roundnet, giant games, trampolines and playsets, with official dimensions and setup.

BackyardGamesTested publishes backyard games reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://backyardgamestested.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides): how to choose
- [Glossary](https://backyardgamestested.com/glossary): backyard games terms defined
- [How we test](https://backyardgamestested.com/testing-methodology)

## Topics
- [Cornhole](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/cornhole): Regulation and tailgate cornhole boards, bags by fill and speed, custom boards, lighting and court layout.
- [Horseshoes & toss games](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/tossing-games): Horseshoes, ladder toss, washers, Kan Jam-style disc games, ring toss and safe lawn darts.
- [Bocce & ball games](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/ball-games): Bocce and pétanque sets, croquet, kubb, lawn bowls-style games and court building.
- [Net & yard sports](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/net-games): Roundnet, combination badminton and volleyball sets, tetherball, soccer and football yard games.
- [Giant & party games](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/giant-party): Giant tumbling blocks, yard dice, giant connect-four style games, yard pong and tailgate party games.
- [Trampolines & play](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/backyard-play): Trampolines and enclosures, swing sets, wooden and metal playsets, slides, ninja lines and climbing.
- [Setup, lighting & storage](https://backyardgamestested.com/category/setup): Court and pit layouts, night-play lighting, scoreboards, tournament brackets, weatherproof storage and care.

## Buying guides
- [Backyard vs Nine-Wicket Croquet: Rules and Court Layout](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/backyard-vs-nine-wicket-croquet-rules): Nine-wicket croquet is the common US backyard form: the United States Croquet Association describes a full-size 100-by-50-foot court with nine wickets and two stakes. Backyard courts can be scaled to available lawn, and casual groups should agree on optional rules before play.
- [Horseshoe Pit Dimensions, Pitching Distance and Scoring](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/horseshoe-pit-dimensions-and-rules): Under National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) rules, stakes are 40 feet apart and stand 14 to 15 inches above the ground. Adult men pitch from the 37-foot line or back at the stake; women, older pitchers and juniors may use a 27-foot line. Shoes weigh no more than 2 pounds 10 ounces. A ringer scores 3 points and a shoe within 6 inches of the stake scores 1.
- [How to Choose a Croquet Mallet: Length, Weight and Head](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-croquet-mallet): Croquet England recommends a 9 to 10 inch head for beginner club mallets and says many club players prefer a 2 lb 12 oz to 3 lb 4 oz mallet. Those are club-player guidelines, not universal specifications for every backyard set. Choose around the player's grip, wrist height, preferred weight and the exact set's listed dimensions.
- [Steel vs Plastic Horseshoe Sets: Which Game Fits?](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/steel-vs-plastic-horseshoe-sets): NHPA specifications allow sanctioned shoes up to 2 lb 10 oz, and its backyard guidance describes purpose-made pitching shoes at about 2½ lb. A plastic recreational set uses lighter shoes, mats and dowels for a different casual format. Choose for the players, surface and game you actually plan to play.
- [How to Fit Trampoline Replacement Parts to Your Model](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/trampoline-replacement-parts-fit): Match replacement parts by the full model number, not the frame diameter alone. Skywalker's 12-foot round parts index lists many different model IDs, while Springfree asks owners to use a model or serial number or count the mat rods before it shows compatible parts.
- [Trampoline Safety and Sizing: Enclosures, Standards and Rules](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/trampoline-safety-and-sizing): Choose a trampoline that meets ASTM F381, the US safety standard, with an enclosure meeting ASTM F2225, padding over springs and frame, and a weight limit above your heaviest user. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages home trampoline use; if you have one, allow one jumper at a time, no flips or somersaults without coaching, and constant adult supervision. Place it on level ground with clear space on all sides and anchor it against wind.
- [Backyard Putting vs Chipping Games: Which Setup Fits?](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/backyard-putting-vs-chipping-games): A putting mat or green supports rolling practice, while a chipping net provides a target for short airborne shots. The USGA says natural-grass greens require specialized upkeep and synthetic greens generally need less maintenance; SKLZ's Quickster net has three target openings and can be used with regular or practice balls.
- [Badminton and Volleyball Combo Sets Compared](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/badminton-volleyball-combo-sets): A combination set changes both the net height and playing boundaries between badminton and volleyball. FIVB indoor rules place the volleyball net at 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women, while BWF badminton rules use 1.524 meters at center and 1.55 meters at the doubles sidelines.
- [Bocce Ball Sizes and Court Dimensions for Backyard Play](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/bocce-ball-sizes-and-court-dimensions): Regulation bocce balls are 107 millimeters across and weigh about 920 grams; many backyard sets use 90 to 100 millimeter balls that are easier for children. A set has eight balls in two colors plus a small target ball, the pallino. US Bocce Federation courts are 76 feet long and 10 to 13 feet wide, but you can play on any lawn. Resin and composite balls resist chipping better than older wooden balls.
- [Building a Cornhole Board: Plywood, Bracing and Finish](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/building-cornhole-boards-plywood-and-finish): The American Cornhole Organization specifies a hardwood plywood top 47.5 to 48 inches long by 23.5 to 24 inches wide, with a 6-inch hole centered 9 inches from the top. Its approved construction uses at least 1/2-inch plywood with cross-section backing, or 3/4-inch plywood with or without backing.
- [Cornhole Bags Explained: Resin vs Corn Fill, Speed and Weight](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/cornhole-bags-fill-and-speed): Regulation cornhole bags are 6 by 6 inches and weigh about 15.5 to 16.5 ounces. Traditional bags are filled with whole corn, which breaks down and can attract pests and mold. Most players now use plastic resin fill, which lasts longer and handles weather. Many league bags have a slick side that slides and a sticky side that stops, and makers rate bag speed so you can match bags to your throw and board.
- [Cornhole Board Dimensions, Distance and Scoring Rules](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/cornhole-board-dimensions-and-distance): A regulation cornhole board is 2 feet wide and 4 feet long with a 6-inch hole centered 9 inches from the top. The back edge stands 12 inches off the ground. Boards are placed 27 feet apart, front edge to front edge, with shorter distances common for kids and casual play. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, a bag on the board 1, and points cancel so only one side scores each round, usually playing to 21.
- [Horseshoes vs Washer Toss: Space, Sets and Rules](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/horseshoes-vs-washer-toss): NHPA backyard guidance keeps horseshoe stakes 40 feet apart, while the International Association of Washer Players uses 25 feet between washer-cup centers. Choose based on the available lane and whether you prefer stakes and a pit or recessed cups and washers.
- [Kubb Rules and Set Sizes: Pitch Setup for Backyard Play](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/kubb-rules-set-sizes-and-pitch-setup): The U.S. National Kubb Championship uses a 5-by-8-meter tournament pitch with 10 kubbs, 6 batons and a king; recreational pitch dimensions can vary. Its published tournament piece sizes are a useful comparison point because many retail sets use smaller pieces.
- [Ladder Toss Rules, Distance and Scoring](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/ladder-toss-rules-and-setup): Ladder toss uses two ladders with three rungs and bolas, two balls joined by a cord. Ladders are commonly set about 15 feet apart. A bola wrapped on the top rung scores 3 points, the middle 2 and the bottom 1. Players usually throw three bolas a turn, and the first to reach exactly 21 points wins; going over sends you back. Sturdy sets have weighted or stakeable bases and bolas with strong cord.
- [Pétanque vs Bocce: Boules, Court Space and Rules](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/petanque-vs-bocce): Pétanque uses hollow metal boules 7.05 to 8 centimeters across and 650 to 800 grams; USBF Open Bocce tournament balls are about 106 to 107 millimeters and 900 to 920 grams. Choose pétanque for its throwing-circle format and smaller boules, or Open Bocce for larger balls and flexible backyard play.
- [Roundnet Rules and Sets: What to Check Before You Buy](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/roundnet-rules-and-set-selection): The International Roundnet Federation describes 2v2 play, up to three alternating team hits, and a set with a 36-inch inner diameter and 8-inch height. IRF-sanctioned events require an approved set and ball, so casual buyers should compare equipment needs with the kind of play they expect.
- [Tailgate vs Regulation Cornhole Boards: Which Set Fits?](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/tailgate-vs-regulation-cornhole-boards): Choose regulation boards if you want the 24-by-48-inch ACO playing surface and a full 27-foot lane. A 3-by-2-foot tailgate set saves board area and can pack into a case; the GoSports example folds flat and weighs 24 pounds as a full set.
- [Tetherball Setup: Permanent Pole or Portable Set?](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/tetherball-setup-permanent-vs-portable): Franklin's tetherball manual lays out a 20-foot-diameter court and places the bottom of its ball about 2 feet above the ground. Its instructions use a ground sleeve, while portable tripods are a separate design; follow the exact set manual because measurements and installation differ by model.
- [Washer Toss Rules: Distance, Scoring and Pit Setup](https://backyardgamestested.com/guides/washer-toss-rules-and-setup): In the International Association of Washer Players' outdoor cup format, the cups are 4 inches across and 25 feet apart center to center, and each player throws two washers per turn. A cupper scores 5 points and the closest washer outside the cup scores 1, with only one player scoring in a round.

Contact: info@backyardgamestested.com