So, you’re staying at one of Garden City Realty’s vacation homes, and you’re planning a beach day. You’ll definitely need some classic beach snacks, like sandwiches, chips, and fruit, but make sure to leave some room for beach games. Beach games are a fun way to stay active in the sun and sand. Garden City Realty recommends the following games for a fun-filled day at the beach:
Portable Cornhole
It’s like regular cornhole, but smaller. Don’t worry, you don’t have to play regulation on these mini boards. They’re small enough to easily transport to the beach. You can pick one up at Target or Walmart, or, if you want a cheaper option, you can rent the full-sized version from Woody’s Beach Rentals. If you’ve never played Cornhole before, it’s basically a bean-bag-toss game. Your goal is to get your bean bag (or in this case corn-bag) into the hole at the top of the board—that wins you three points. If you make it onto the board you get one point, but if the opposing team gets one on the board it cancels out your toss. The game can be played with two or four players.
Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is an easy game to learn. The whole family will have fun playing this low-stakes game. All you need is a Bocce Ball set. It comes with eight larger balls and one small white ball called a pallina. You will need a blanket or a flat surface to mark the edges of your playing field. Once the game starts, someone rolls the pallina to the middle of the court. Then, the two teams take turns rolling their balls towards the pallina. The aim of the game is to get the most balls close to the pallina. You can use your turn to knock the pallina further away from the other team or to move the other team’s balls further away. If a ball goes off the court, then it’s a dead ball—meaning it’s no longer in play. You can rent a Bocce set from Woody’s Beach Rentals for only seven dollars a day.
Spike Ball
Spike Ball is a game that has gained popularity in the past few years. It’s a great beach game that will definitely bring out your competitive side. Spike Ball is designed for four players in teams of two. Kind of like volleyball, the object of the game is to spike the ball into the net so that the opposite team can’t catch it, gaining your team a point. Each team is allowed three touches before they have to spike the ball; if they fail to spike the ball, the point goes to the opposite team. And, there are no set places—everyone is free to run wherever they need to get the ball. You can find a spike ball set at Target or Walmart for around fifty dollars, or you can rent one from Vacation Beach Gear Rentals.
Ladder Ball
Ladder Ball is similar to Cornhole in that it requires opposing teams to toss an object to score points. Ladder Ball, however, uses a ladder with three rungs that range from one to three points, with the bottom rung being the lowest point. You take turns tossing a bolla (two balls with a string connecting them) onto a ladder rung to score points. The game is played to twenty-one points exactly, and the first player that reaches that number wins. You can rent a Ladder Ball set at Vacation Beach Gear Rentals, or you can buy one.
Water Skip Ball
Remember Skip Ball—the game where you skip a water-logged ball between you and your friends? If you’ve never played it, it’s a fun way to get in some quality time with friends and family. Skip ball can be as intense as you want it to. Want to really get a workout in? Go long for more intense skips and more movement. Walmart has the Waboba Aqua Water Bouncer Pack for approximately ten dollars. The pack comes with two balls in case you have a large party, or in case you lose one in the heat of friendly competition.
Out-Door Ring Toss
This game is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a classic way to spend those beach afternoons. Several retailers provide an outdoor ring toss set. Check out this classic beach ring toss at Khols, or this Molded Ring Toss Game at Target.
Frisbee
Who doesn’t love tossing a frisbee around? If you’re looking to save money or pack light, frisbee may be the game for you. You can toss the frisbee on the beach or in the water. You can buy a frisbee pretty much anywhere, but Walmart sells a two-pack for ten dollars. Although frisbee is quite simple, it’s a fun way to keep yourself entertained at the beach. No matter which of these games you choose, you’re sure to have a fun day at the beach.
By Katie Robison, blog contributor for Garden City Realty
