20 Best Beach Games to Bring Out Everyone’s Competitive Side This Summer
Updated: Feb. 21, 2024
We hunted down the most entertaining beach games to get all ages in on the fun during your summer adventures.
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Embrace the sand, surf and sunshine with a collection of entertaining activities and the best beach games for all ages. Whether you’re hosting a kid’s party, planning a Fourth of July shindig or looking forward to a beach picnic, we’ve done the legwork to bring you the best beach games that’ll keep everyone engaged during your summer adventures. Prepare to ignite competitive spirits and unlock hours of playtime!
Both nostalgia and modern excitement await, as we’ve curated a blend of classic games beloved by ’80s and ’90s kids, alongside thrilling new additions to the lineup. Rest assured, these outdoor summer games are suitable for all skill levels and boast easy portability, ideal for planned outings or spontaneous beach trips. And fear not if you’re not near the water—these games can be equally enjoyed in your backyard or local park! Plus, they’re all available for quick shipping—thanks to Amazon Prime—for any last-minute occasions.
Mini Frisbee Golf
While folks usually tee up this golf-inspired game at the park, take it to the beach instead with this portable mini frisbee golf set. What makes it one of the best beach games is twofold. First, frisbee is already the perfect shoreside game. It requires everything the beach already has: Sun, wind and soft sand to catch errant disks.
Second, it stands at only 28 inches high, making it ideal for children. When the adults want to play, easily pop it onto a fold-up table or picnic bench to make it more accessible.
Kites
Easy to set up and satisfying to fly, kites are a classic beach game that’s fun for both kids and adults. While picking up two to race is an option, kites are also a good game for younger kids with a less competitive streak. This particular Prism kite comes with redesigned wings that add extra stability during windy days. Replaceable snap-on tails break free in case the kite runs into tree branches, and clever bungees allow for swift setup at home or on the go.
Flickin Chicken
Similar to cornhole but with a barnyard twist, Flickin Chicken is a game that involves hitting the target with a rubber chicken. Begin by having a player throw the disk as far as they can. The way the disc lands determines the round—either gain or lose a point with each throw. Whoever has the least amount of points at the end wins, so there is a healthy dose of strategy involved in this plucky golf-inspired game.
TowerBall
Looking to add a little more challenge to a game of cornhole? Try this full 360-degree toss game instead. Made from weatherproof polypropylene and boasting a lifetime warranty, TowerBall is easy to set up thanks to a collapsible tower board. It even comes with a storage backpack, making this child and adult-friendly party game easy to haul to the beach, on camping trips and even a tailgate.
Skip Ball
While at the beach, why not take advantage of the waves? Skip Ball is simple—play it like catch, but instead of throwing, skip the rubber ball along the top of a body of water to your partner. The balls are nearly as small as golf balls, so they’re easy to pack in a suitcase or a reusable bag for trips. The best part is that they float, so there’s no need to worry about it disappearing below the water.
Spikeball
Ready, set, spike! Spikeball is one of those volleyball-esque beach games (you might recognize it from its cameo on Shark Tank) primed for family-friendly fun. The rules are easy to learn, but as with most sports, the more you play, the quicker you’ll master it. The set easily folds up so you can keep it stashed in your trunk or garage for quick access.
“We’ve owned a Spikeball kit for years and bust it out whenever we meet friends at the beach or hang out in the backyard,” says Taste of Home Content Director Nicole Doster. “It’s super lightweight making it easy to carry just about anywhere—which is key when you’re trekking across sandy trails. The strings need to be tightened occasionally, to keep the net springy when in play.”
Matt Fukuda, Video Producer, is also a Spikeball superfan and aficionado. “Spikeball is my absolute favorite summer activity. Think of it as volleyball meets four square. The rules may seem intimidating at first, but you pick it up quickly. It’s a great way to stay active and be competitive at the same time, you’ll get hooked immediately!”
Kan Jam Disc Toss
Kan Jam is a thrilling game that awakens competitive spirits. Players aim to sling a disc into the Kan Jam goals, earning different points for each hit. It’s a fan-favorite addition to the beach game lineup, and also a hit for teenagers as a sleepover game.
“I’ve played Kan Jam since college and received it as a gift when we moved into our new house,” says Nicole Doster. “It’s a staple at Fourth of July parties and elevates a simple game of frisbee at the beach. The best way to describe it is a cross between cornhole and disc golf—an easy game for anyone to pick up. The ‘kans’ are simple to set up and take down for storage, too.”
TidalBall
When it comes to beach games, TidalBall captures the true essence of entertainment on the sand. It was created by a group of friends aiming for a lightweight, bocce ball-inspired experience on the beach, and TidalBall delivers just that. With gameplay reminiscent of cornhole, the main objective is to throw a ball and score points. The company cheekily suggests that the only real rule is to have fun, making it a fantastic choice whether you’re with kids or enjoying a beach outing with friends and canned cocktails.
Verified purchaser, Jordyn, loves the enjoyment it brings to a day in the sun and says, “We go out on the boat most weekends and this is a small, lightweight game, perfect for the boat or beach. Easy to set up, easy to learn, perfect game to play on a beach day!”
Beach Tennis
Surfminton beach tennis brings the joy of a tennis court right to the sandy shores. This set includes two types of balls—a harder one and a softer one—allowing you to adjust the game to the players’ skill levels or the distance you’re playing. After a few rounds of intense volleying, treat yourself to a well-deserved beach snack and recharge for more fun in the sun.
Five-star reviewer, Rachel, writes, “An amazing product, such a bang for your buck! Best quality and I know it will last this whole summer even being used every weekend. Overall super happy with this purchase.”
Toss and Catch Game Set
This toss and catch game set is a favorite among kids and adults alike. The paddles feature a Velcro surface that snags the balls, enhancing dexterity for little ones. With adjustable paddles, it’s enjoyable for the whole family to play.
Yard Pong
Meet yard pong, the beer pong of beach games where players try to toss balls into their opponent’s large red buckets—you might remember the rules from your college days. Easy to transport and simple to set up, it’s the kind of versatile game that appeals to players of all ages, whether for a kid’s birthday or as an adult party game.
Five-star reviewer, Lynn L., says it was the perfect addition to a trip, “Bought this for our family vacation, and all kids ages 10 to 73 had fun playing it!”
Bocce Set
This bocce ball set is best for larger group gatherings. With eight high-quality poly-resin balls in vibrant colors, you’ll enjoy hours of entertainment. The set includes a measuring device for easy set-up and a flexible carrying case for convenience.
“This product is terrific!” writes five-star reviewer, Morgan F. Gable. “My family and I have enjoyed playing it numerous times. It’s durable and brightly colored. We are sure to get years of experience out of it, which is exactly why I picked it!”
Waterproof Football
Sometimes simplicity reigns supreme when it comes to beach games, just like this fantastic waterproof football. Embrace your inner NFL star as you pass, throw and catch. The ultra-durable design can easily withstand the occasional plunge into the ocean. It even comes with a pump to keep it ready for action.
“It’s easier to throw a consistent spiral with this than any foam ball I’ve ever owned. The soft material is easy to grip, but has enough weight to carry well,” says football fan and verified purchaser, Johnathan S. Arrowsmith. “Today I played with it in a pool and it never got waterlogged. My dream football, honestly.”
Ladder Toss
Ladder toss is the ultimate game to keep you entertained for hours. Easily assembled and portable, it’s ideal for beach challenges with friends or fun-filled family game nights. Just toss the rubber golf ball bolas at the rungs of the ladder, each one offering different points.
Verified purchaser, Kim B. Basso, calls it “fun in a bag,” and adds, “Love love. Need another. Even my adult children besides the grandchildren played for hours. Best buy. Even sent home with grandchildren.”
Cornhole
No beach day is complete without a game of cornhole. This all-in-one set includes two regulation-size wooden boards and eight heavy-duty bean bags, along with convenient carrying cases. Add a special touch by letting kids decorate the boards or personalize them to commemorate special moments.
According to Editor Pamela Bondurant, the Go Sports boards and bags are not only regulation size, but they’re also lightweight, making them ideal for travel.
Badminton
For anyone who may be less coordinated, badminton is your ideal choice for summer beach games. This set includes four rackets and 12 shuttlecocks, ensuring you have plenty to spare in case a few go missing in the ocean. Plus, you can customize the grip with the included replacement grip tape.
“I got these for my kids to play with. They are really great,” says five-star reviewer, Lindsay Green. “We’ve used these all summer, and they’re still as good as new!”
Waterproof Playing Cards
Whether you’re having more of a Go Fish or Texas Hold ‘Em type of summer, these waterproof playing cards let you take your beach games on the go. They’re easy to shuffle, even if they’ve fallen into the sand or water a few times. And in case the sandwiches you packed end up on the cards, they’re hand-washable.
Among more than 16,500 five-star ratings, Alison Wesolowski, a verified buyer, writes, “I bought these for a cruise and they were perfect. The salt air did not ruin them. They are sturdy and did not fly around. Also easy to clean.”
Outdoor Flying Disc
Take your beach adventures to new heights with this exceptional flying disc. Designed with advanced aerodynamics to glide twice as far as a standard Frisbee, it’s the result of the innovative work of a Stanford engineering professor. Compact and portable, it’s ideal for spontaneous beach games, and dogs can also get in on the fun.
Scoop Ball
As far as beach games go, scoop ball is a summer staple, and the affordable price can’t be beat. This brightly colored set comes with two scoops and one plastic softball, a crowd-pleasing party game for kids.
Ring Toss
Some classic beach games never go out of style, like the beloved ring toss. This X-shaped version features five pegs, five rope rings and 10 plastic rings that help little ones practice their hand-eye coordination. Even better: It’s easy to set up and dissemble, so you can take it from the backyard to the beach to birthday parties.
Jessie Lee echoes more than 8,000 five-star ratings by calling it “a lot of fun,” and adds, “Great for the whole family. It’s so simple but good to get the kids outside having fun as a family.”
Originally Published: May 25, 2023
