Gather your family and friends for a fun summer gathering with our Library of Things!
Do you remember watching the Bridgerton siblings play croquet on Netflix’s Bridgerton or the Queen of Hearts play with a flamingo in Alice in Wonderland? Croquet is a game played on a grass lawn, where players use mallets to hit balls through wickets. The game's objective is to be the first player to pass all their balls through the wickets and then strike a stake at the end of the course. Set up your wickets on the lawn in any pattern you wish and use the mallet to get the ball through the course. Follow the rules in the set or make up your own!
A fun backyard game, badminton can easily be set up on a lawn. The objective is to hit the shuttlecock, often called a "birdie," with a racquet over a net. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and this loanable set includes a net.
Did you know that badminton's origins date back to ancient games from Eurasia? British officers in mid-1800 India played Poona, an early variation of badminton; returning officers brought the game back to Britain. Badminton was named after the country estate where it was first played in 1873; it quickly became a favorite of the nobility. Over the centuries, the game spread throughout Europe and eventually reached the United States. You can learn more about badminton's history here.
Bocce ball is a quickly learned game with eight balls and one small target ball (the pallino). The point of the game is to throw your ball as close to the pallino as possible. Play using the included rules or come up with your own!
A bocce-like game is believed to have originated in Egypt and spread to the rest of the world. It eventually reached Europe, where it was popularized in Italy. It spread to France and the United States in the late 1800s. Today, it is a popular game worldwide and among people of all ages. Learn more about the history of bocce ball here.
Become a part of America's fastest-growing sport! Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played on a court like tennis but with a much lower net. Players use paddles to hit the ball over the net. The objective of the game is to hit the ball so the opponent cannot return it. Grab some comfy shoes, this pickleball set (which includes four rackets and eight balls), and head to a pickleball court. Click here for local pickleball courts. Or, if you have a large enough open surface, make a quick DIY Pickleball Court.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three friends on Bainbridge Island, Washington, who created the game to keep their families entertained. Since its inception, pickleball has grown in popularity and can now be played in over 10,000 indoor and outdoor courts throughout the United States.
Slammo Pro is an exciting outdoor game for all ages. It is a fast-paced game that involves players throwing their balls at a trampoline-like net to bounce them onto the opposing team's court. The first team to reach 21 points wins! Setup is easy, and the game can be played in minutes!
For more ideas of fun backyard games, check out a copy of Colleen Pastoor’s DIY Backyard Games: 13 Projects to make for weekend family fun. Make DIY cornhole, giant Jenga, Yahtzee, Memory, Twister, and more! Follow simple, step-by-step instructions to create handmade, board-inspired games to provide your family and friends with hours of outdoor fun!
End the day with a movie night experience. This backyard movie night kit includes an inflatable movie screen, projector, Blu-ray/DVD player, and utility wagon for storage. Choose a movie to watch, make some popcorn and snacks, and relax and enjoy the show!
Flip 4 portable bluetooth speakers
Enjoy the tunes with these wireless outdoor speakers!