How to Play Beanbag Toss

Teach your kids how to play beanbag toss. It’s the perfect party game or backyard activity for all ages when the weather is nice.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more.

Beanbag toss, aka cornhole, is a classic backyard game that’s perfect for all ages. There are only a few rules and they’re easy to customize to fit the ages of your kids.

This game is intended for 2 to 4 players, but can be modified for a bigger group. You can play as individuals or divide into teams.

Beanbag toss supplies

• This regulation cornhole set meets the requirements of the American Cornhole Association.
• If you’re not worried about official guides, this game set is perfect for little kids and folds up small for storage.
• You can even make your own cornhole set.
• A pencil and paper to keep score is handy.

Beanbag Toss Rules and Gameplay

1. Setting up the boards.

Place the boards facing each other, a distance apart in an area where there is plenty of space. For regulation gameplay, the boards should be 27 feet apart. If you’re playing with kids, move them closer to about 15 feet. For very young children, move them as close together as you need.

Divide the group into 2 teams and give each team 4 beanbags.

2. Taking turns tossing the beanbags.

Teams will take turns tossing their set of beanbags toward the opposite board. For each person’s turn, stand beside your own board and gently toss the bag underhand toward the other board, aiming for the hole.

Each player on a team tosses a beanbag until all 4 have been tossed. Add up the points and pick up the beanbags. Then it’s the other team’s turn.

3. Keeping score.

Calculate points based on where the beanbag landed and stopped.

• Through the hole, 3 points
• Landed on the board and stayed, 1 point
• Landed on the ground or fell off the board, 0 points

After both teams has thrown for the round and added up their points, the team with more points wins that round. The team with more points on that round wins by the amount they are ahead.

3. Winning beanbag toss.

The first team to reach 21 points wins.

Beanbag toss is such a fun summer party game! The younger your kids are, the more you’ll want to adapt the rules for them. If you’re playing with a group of older kids or teens, try playing as a bracket-style tournament. Have them play in pairs and keep score, then have them face off again against another pair.

Get everyone outdoors and moving with a fun beanbag toss game!

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

• Teach Kids How to Play Horseshoes
• Family Backyard Bowling Game
• 21 Backyard Games You Can Make and Play