Outdoor Wood Games

Cornhole

• Cornhole is a simple outdoor game played by using two sets of wood platforms. The platforms have a hole at the top and are placed at an angle with the upper part 13 1/2 inches high. The game can be played with two or four players. The platforms are set up facing each other, with 27 feet between the start of each board. A player from each team stands on one side of the board.
  Taking turns, the players toss beanbags at the opposite platform. A beanbag on the platform is worth one point, a beanbag in the hole is worth three points, and a beanbag landing anywhere else is worth nothing. Each player throws four beanbags. At the end of a round, the scores are added; the lower score is subtracted from the higher score, and that point value is awarded to the higher-scoring player. Only the player with the higher score will receive points. Play then shifts to the players at the opposite platform, and the game continues until one team reaches 21 points.

Washers Toss

• Washers Toss, commonly known as Texas Horseshoes, is another outdoor wood game played with two wood platforms. However, these platforms have three evenly spaced holes the length of the board. The platforms are set up 10 feet apart, level on the ground. This game is ideally played with two teams of two.
  The first player stands on or beside a platform and tosses three washers to the other platform. The second player does the same. Any washer thrown in the first hole scores one point, any washer thrown in the center hole scores three points, and any washer thrown in the third hole scores five points. Only the washers that fall into the holes score points. Like cornhole, only one player scores each round: subtract the lower score from the higher score and award the difference to the higher-scoring player. The first team to reach exactly 21 points wins. If a team goes over 21 in any round, that team must subtract its number of points over from 21.

Variations for Novice Players

• If playing these games with children or beginners, you can set up the game boards differently. Place them closer together for ease of throwing. Also, place two beginners against each other at one platform, ensuring that an advanced player will not annihilate the score of a beginner.