Backyard games to kick your party (and metabolism) up a notch

If you have a lot of space and at least 14 people, you can have yourself an intense Ultimate Frisbee session guaranteed to get the heart rate up. So what makes it so “ultimate?” It mixes the skills and strategies of soccer, basketball and football. Meaning you better have a good set of legs, iron lungs and a killer throwing arm. Once you’re open, just catch the Frisbee, pass it to a teammate in the end zone and score. See rules here. Buy original Frisbee products here.

Also called horseshoe pitching, the game of horseshoes involves tossing or throwing a horseshoe at a pin, peg or stake. The main object is to ring the pin or throw the horseshoe as close to the pin as possible and be the first one to reach 21 or 40 points. See basic rules here. For backyard game purposes, no sand pits are required. Just use a simple set (like this one at Walmart ), and get going.

OK, so maybe your little niece and grandmother wouldn’t be the best candidates for Ultimate Frisbee. No worries, cornhole is a game everyone can enjoy!

According to the American Cornhole Association — yes, it exists! — the game is similar to horseshoes, except you use wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points. A corn bag in the hole scores three points, while one on the platform scores one point. Find out more about the game here. Sporting good retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods have a nice selection of game pieces.

Bocce is one of the oldest of all lawn bowling games, best known in Italy and played all over the world! Plus, you can play right on your lawn. The purpose of the game is to get your bocce balls (eight large balls) as close as possible to the pallino (the smallest ball). You need a steady arm and some strategic smarts (think pool or bowling). See the rules here. Get a decent bocce ball set at Target.

Murbles is like bocce but easier, so everyone to join in. Throw your colored ball closest to the point ball and score! Here are the easy rules: rules. Order your customized game pieces here.

Another American original, ladder golf, or ladder ball, was played by cowboys using split-rail fences and cow-wrangling bolos.

It’s played with two or more players or teams. Each player has three golf ball “bolas,” which are two golf balls attached by a nylon rope.” The object of the game is to wrap your bolas around the steps of the ladder. The ladder consists of three steps: a top, middle and a bottom step. See rules here. Distracting the opposing player is highly encouraged! Get a set on the cheap at Kmart.

It’s just like the game on paper but much more fun! Throw the Velcro balls at the X and O targets. Just set up the board and you’re ready. Order a board here.