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Last updated: May 2, 2023
Also known as the bean bag toss game, cornhole is one of the most basic yet most entertaining outdoor games you can play.
When you’re planning an outdoor party of any kind, you have to think of games to keep your friends and family entertained. And cornhole is the perfect game for backyard BBQs, tailgate parties, and even weddings. The boards can be set up in no time, and everyone, young and old, can come and play along.
In this article, I am going to share 5 of the best outdoor cornhole board sets available. These are sets that are perfect for family play in the backyard.
Top 5 Cornhole Board Sets:
Top 5 Cornhole Board Sets
Here is my top 5 outdoor cornhole board sets for you to consider.
1. GoSports Solid Wood Premium Cornhole Set
This solid wooden cornhole set by GoSports offers the best cornhole experience. The boards have a very authentic look, as they are handcrafted from 100% wood. The plywood varnished surface ensures perfect slide and stability and allows for easier customization with covers or decals.
You can get this cornhole set in two different sizes. The bigger version is the official regulation size, while the smaller tailgate version is easier to transport. Eight cornhole bags filled with recycled plastic pellets, weighing 1 pound each, are included in the set. You will also get a convenient carrying case.
2. Amazon Basics Outdoor Wooden Cornhole Set
This Amazon Basics cornhole set is perfect for a fun game of cornhole with family and friends in the backyard. It includes all the necessary items to start playing immediately, such as two cornhole targets, eight bags (in two different colors), and a carrying bag for storage and transport.
The inclined platforms are made of durable plywood with a solid-wood base, particularly designed for outdoor use. Also worth mentioning is the excellent color scheme, which adds a competitive feel to it. The boards are white, red, and blue, and the tossing bags are in red and blue.
Please note though that the boards are not regulation size. With 35.4 x 23.62 x 7.87 inches, they are a bit smaller, which is great for younger kids as well.
3. GoSports Cornhole Pro Bean Bag Toss Game Set
Next up is another GoSports cornhole set, one that is suitable for official tournament gameplay. The set includes two American Cornhole Association regulation-size boards and eight square bean bags that come in two different colors.
The two boards are made with a sturdy aluminum frame that makes them durable but also light enough to carry around easily. They can fold up as well, which makes storage and transport even easier.
Whether you’re a pro player or just want to play the occasional game in your backyard, you can’t go wrong with this GoSports pro bean bag toss set.
4. Himal Collapsible Portable Cornhole Boards
This particular cornhole set is the odd one out, as it has a rather innovative design that allows for super quick assembly and very convenient transport and storage. There’s no heavy wood involved. Instead, the two boards are made with poly fabric, which makes them foldable.
Don’t be fooled, though. The 3 x 2 feet boards may be super lightweight, but they are also durable with a strong surface to catch the bean bags. The set includes eight bean bags and a compact carrying case.
If you’re looking for simple outdoor cornhole boards that are easy to set up and pack away, this may be your best choice.
5. Backyard Champs Wooden Cornhole Boards
The last set in this list of best outdoor cornhole boards is suitable for those taking the game very seriously. The two tournament-sized cornhole boards in this set are made with New Zealand pinewood, and the eight bean bags are made with 100% cotton.
The boards have an efficient design with legs that can fold so that they can be carried around and stored more easily. This set is specifically designed for outdoor play, whether that be in the park, in the backyard, or at the beach.
Buying Guide
Let’s dive a little deeper into the exciting world of bean bag tossing and what to look out for when buying a new cornhole set.
Things to Consider When Buying a Cornhole Set
Here are a few things to consider when looking for a new set of cornhole boards:
1. Materials
Official cornhole boards are made of wood. They are very stable and offer the right amount of slide. However, if you’re buying for just backyard fun, then you could also consider a plastic board that is perhaps more durable around water.
2. Bean Bags
Bean bags are typically made with cotton fabric and are filled with resin beads or dried corn kernels. Corn kernel-filled bags perform better in dry areas. The bean bags should be square-shaped.
3. Size of Board
Cornhole boards are officially 2 feet wide and 4 feet long. They have a 6-inch hole that is 9 inches deep. The front of the board is about 4 inches above the ground, and the slope rises to 12 inches in the back. You can also get smaller-sized cornhole boards that are 3 feet long.
Check out my article about cornhole court and board dimensions for exact details and diagrams.
4. Surface
The surface of the cornhole board matters as it determines the slide. A smooth surface offers a better slide, so do make sure you check how the surface has been treated for the boards you’re interested in purchasing.
5. Portability and Storage
Most cornhole sets come with a convenient carrying bag for easy portability and storage, but be sure to verify this before buying your favorite set.
How to Play Cornhole
The history of Cornhole is somewhat unclear, as people have different versions of where the game originated. If you’d like to read more about this, check out my article about the history of cornhole and learn more about the true, and not so true, origins of this game.
No matter its origins, what we do know is that cornhole has rapidly evolved into a favorite pastime activity across the US. The New York Times has also written about how cornhole has become so popular in New York.
It’s a simple yet addictive game that can be played anywhere, and the rules are relatively easy to understand so that everyone can learn how to play cornhole.
It starts with two opposing players (singles) or two teams having two players each (doubles). In singles, the players stand in their lanes during the game and toss corn bags at the same time. While in doubles, each team station a player to toss a bag.
Players alternate with tossing corn bags until all four have been tossed. This is the end of an inning where scores are calculated. Scoring is based on each bag that comes to rest on the surface of the board or otherwise falls through the hole.
Each corn bag that goes down the hole is worth 3 points, while the bags that stay on the surface are worth 1 point. The team or player that reaches a score of 21 or more is declared the winner.
Make sure to read my guide outlining the basic cornhole throwing technique, as there is quite a lot involved in getting that toss right.
And if you’d like to get a few mates together for some fun in the backyard with a few drinks, check out my list of cornhole drinking games for some ideas to further spice up the game.
