Have a Ball

Make the most of the warm, sunshine-filled days and elevate your fun in the comfort of your own backyard. Start a socially distant lawn game tournament with others to make it competitive or simply enjoy a leisurely game with your friends and family. With these unique twists on classic games, and larger-than-life activities, you are sure to have a ball.

Giant Jenga

Take turns removing the wood blocks from different levels of the tower using only hand. If the block is successfully removed, place it on the top of the tower to add to its height and eventually create new levels to remove from. The premise of the game is to keep the tower from tumbling over. Create your own version by cutting 54 2×4 sanded wood blocks. $58.95; Available for purchase at Home Depot, 8334 Tamarack Village.

Ladder Toss

Spaced 15 feet apart, opponents on each side toss three bolas (two golf balls attached by a nylon rope) toward the opposing three-step ladder. Each step is worth a number of points and the last bolas to remain on the ladder after each round is added to the total. The first person to get to 21 wins. $34.99–$54.99; Available at Frattallone’s Ace Hardware, 1750 Weir Drive.

Kan Jam

A game that intertwines the skill of frisbee golf with the rules of horseshoe, two players will take turns throwing a frisbee into the designated bin to get to a total of 21 points. If you are a more advanced thrower, try throwing the disc in the slit of the container for an instant and automatic win. Create your own basic version using large plastic bins or planters and cut a 3×12 slit for the instant win. $39.99; Available for purchase at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 8292 Tamarack Village, and Cabela’s, 8400 Hudson Road.

Spikeball

This active game is similar to a game of volleyball without the standing net. Two teams gather in a circle around the hula hoop-sized net that stands at ankle level. The first player serves the ball into the net so that it ricochets up toward the opponents. With up to three hits to return the ball, the volley will continue until one team fails to return the ball back to the net. The first team to get to 21 wins! With a portable and adjustable net, players can create their ideal conditions for the game whether it is on grass, the driveway or the beach. Players can also adjust the degree of bounce that the ball will endure. $59.99; Available for purchase at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 8292 Tamarack Village, and Cabela’s, 8400 Hudson Road.

Bucket Ball

It is like your classic pong game but bigger! Set up six buckets in the shape of a triangle for each team and take turns throwing the ball into the opposing bins. The team with no buckets left standing wins. Create your own homemade version using 12 buckets and a medium-sized ball that fits inside. $39.97; Available for purchase at Cabela’s, 8400 Hudson Road.

Lawn Dice

With countless variations and endless games, giant lawn dice are the perfect lawn game for family events, graduation parties, camping and more. Play a larger-than-life version of the classic board game Yahtzee or Yarkle, the yard game version of the once popular Facebook game Farkle! $29.99; Available to purchase at Cabela’s, 8400 Hudson Road.