What Games Like Cornhole Are Best for Backyard Parties and Outdoor Events

Cornhole earned its spot at nearly every cookout, but it is not the only way to keep a crowd busy. Some hosts find the boards too big for their patio. Others simply want something fresh for guests who have played the same game a dozen times. 

Whatever the reason, there are plenty of games like cornhole that deliver the same easy, social fun with a different twist. This guide walks through the best options for backyard parties and outdoor events, what each one does well, and how to pick the right fit for your own gathering.

What Makes a Good Cornhole Alternative

Before comparing specific games, it helps to know what made cornhole popular in the first place. It is quick to learn, it works for almost any age, and it lets people chat between turns instead of demanding total focus. The best replacements share those traits, along with a few practical ones.

Setup should be fast, since nobody wants to spend half the party assembling gear. The game should fit the space you actually have, and it should hold up outdoors without cracking or fading. Finally, it needs enough skill to stay interesting after the first round. Keeping these points in mind makes it much easier to sort through the choices below.

Ladder Toss and Ring Toss: Easy Crowd Pleasers

Ladder toss is probably the closest relative to cornhole. Players throw a pair of balls joined by a short rope toward a ladder-shaped frame, and the rope wraps around a rung to score. It needs less space than cornhole, and the pieces are light, so they travel well. The learning curve is gentle, which makes it a safe pick for mixed-age groups.

Ring toss works on a similar idea, with rings thrown toward posts or pegs. It is simple enough for kids yet still gives adults a bit of a challenge once the targets are moved farther apart. Both games are inexpensive and easy to find, which is why they show up so often at family gatherings. Their main limit is depth, since experienced players can get bored fast.

Washer Toss and Bocce: A Different Kind of Skill

For groups that like a little more strategy, washer toss and bocce are worth a look. Washer toss has players pitch metal washers into small cups set inside a wooden box. Points depend on which cup the washer lands in, so aim matters more than power. It is compact and sturdy, though the clinking of metal can get loud at a quiet gathering.

Bocce asks players to roll heavier balls as close as possible to a small target ball. It rewards patience and clever positioning, and it lets people stand and talk while they wait for a turn. The catch is space. Bocce prefers a long, fairly level stretch of lawn, which not every yard can offer. If you have the room, it makes a relaxed, social choice for afternoon events.

Where a DropShot Game Fits In

Another option that has been gaining attention is the drop shot game. Players toss soft balls into compact scoring boxes, earning points based on where each ball lands. This format maintains the toss and score action, which makes cornhole games so fun to play; however, it requires only approximately seven to ten feet of space. That makes it practical for balconies, courtyards, and crowded tailgate lots where a pair of full-size boards would never fit.

What stands out about a drop shot game is how flexible it can be. Many sets are built from wood with bamboo cups, so they look good on a patio and handle sun better than plastic. They also tend to ship with a carrying case, which helps when the party moves from the backyard to a campsite or a friend's place. Some versions include more than one way to play, from relaxed family rules to livelier adult variations, so a single set can suit very different crowds.

It does have a trade-off. Because the targets are smaller, new players may miss more often at first. Most people adjust within a few rounds, though, and the learning curve is part of what keeps regular players coming back.

Matching the Game to Your Event

With so many choices, the easiest way to decide is to think about the event itself. A large backyard party with plenty of room can handle almost anything, so ladder toss, bocce, or a classic cornhole setup all work well. Among games like cornhole, these are the easiest to scale up when the guest list grows. Families with young children usually do best with ring toss or ladder toss, since the rules are simple and the stakes are low.

Tailgates and smaller gatherings call for something that packs easily. Compact options, including a drop shot game, tend to win here because they ride in a trunk without taking over the space. For evening parties with an adult crowd, look for games with optional scoring twists or house-rule variations, since they keep energy up once the sun goes down.

This is also useful if you have multiple copies. Many hosts keep a larger classic for open-lawn days and a smaller set for trips and tight spaces. That way, the game always matches the setting instead of the setting being forced around the game.

Final Thoughts

The best games like cornhole share a few traits: easy rules, quick setup, sturdy materials, and room for friendly competition. Ladder toss and ring toss suit relaxed family events, washer toss and bocce reward strategy, and a compact option works well when space or travel is a concern. 

Companies like 1-2-3 DropShot build their sets around that compact, portable idea, with real wood and bamboo cups and a carrying case included. If your next gathering could use something fresh, it might be the right time to give a DropShot game a try.