Cornhole is the king of backyard barbecues, tailgate parties, and park gatherings. It’s simple to set up and play and has a way of turning even the shyest of players into beanbag-tossing legends. But let’s be honest—sometimes you need a bit of variety in the games available for your friends and family to play. Fortunately, cornhole pairs well with a bunch of different games.

To help you mix things up and keep the energy going, we’ve rounded up the best outdoor games that complement cornhole. These games are especially great because, like cornhole, they involve a healthy amount of hand-eye coordination, competitiveness, and just enough simplicity to make it fun for players of all skill levels.

Ladder Golf

Ever heard of tossing bolas at a ladder and calling it a sport? Meet ladder golf. The basics are pretty simple, making it a natural partner to cornhole. All you need are two or more players to take turns tossing rubber bolas, which are two balls connected by a string, onto a three-rung ladder structure. Each rung of the ladder gives you a different number of points, so there’s a bit of strategy at play here.

Where ladder golf really shines as a sidekick to cornhole is its ability to keep the vibe light and the competition fierce without hogging too much space. Like cornhole, it’s perfect for teams or singles, so you can easily rotate players between the two games. Plus, wrapping one of the bolas perfectly around one of the rungs has the same satisfying feeling as draining a bag through the center hole of a cornhole board—and who doesn’t love that?

Bocce Ball

Bocce ball is like the older, aristocratic cousin of cornhole. This classic game involves tossing bocce balls to get as close as possible to a smaller target ball called the pallino. Bocce is slower-paced, but don’t mistake that for boring—it’s all about precision, strategy, and maybe throwing a little shade at your opponent’s last toss.

Bocce and cornhole share that universal appeal where anyone can pick up a ball and give it a shot. The slower tempo of bocce makes it an excellent companion game for cornhole because players can switch to it if they need a bit of a break. One second, you’re nailing a clutch beanbag toss, and the next, you’re calculating the perfect spin for your bocce ball. Talk about multi-talented!

Horseshoes

Horseshoes is a game as old-school as it gets, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of style. The rules are straightforward: players toss horseshoes at a metal stake in the ground, scoring points by ringing the stake or landing the horseshoe nearby.

Like cornhole, horseshoes is all about throwing accuracy and having a steady hand, so the two make a glorious duo for your next outdoor shindig. They’re both great for team play and if your group has that one friend who insists they “never miss,” they’ll have twice the opportunities to prove it—or eat their words. Horseshoes also pairs well with cornhole in terms of setup; it fits easily in the same amount of yard space and keeps everyone engaged without overlapping or disrupting the flow of the party.

Kan Jam

If frisbees are more your speed, Kan Jam might be your new favorite partner for cornhole. Essentially, it’s a fusion of frisbee throwing and teamwork, where players aim frisbees at slotted cans to score points. Aim for the top, get an assist from your teammate to dump it in, or go for glory with a direct shot through the Kan Jam slot.

Cornhole players will feel right at home with Kan Jam because the games share that throwing-and-scoring DNA, but Kan Jam adds a fun twist of movement since you’re actively assisting your teammate. It’s high-energy, fast-paced, and gets the whole group buzzing with excitement between cornhole matches. Plus, nothing gets the crowd going like someone landing that perfect “instant win” shot!

Spikeball

Spikeball might feel like a bit of a wildcard compared to the other games on this list, but trust us—it works! If you’re not familiar, Spikeball is a fast-paced game that involves bouncing a ball off a taut net in the center of a court (or backyard, in this case), with teams scrambling to keep the rally alive. It’s a great option to crank up the energy and get people moving.

What makes Spikeball a surprising but excellent complement to cornhole is that it breaks the rhythm in all the right ways. While cornhole thrives on steady aim and measured tosses, Spikeball is pure chaos in the best way possible, with dives, spikes, and laughter aplenty. Together, these two games offer a balanced mix of calm precision and active fun, giving your group a chance to switch gears and try something new between beanbag battles.

Other Activities That Complement Cornhole

If your group is looking to mix things up beyond games, there are plenty of other activities that pair perfectly with a laid-back cornhole vibe. For starters, why not set up a DIY snack or BBQ station? Grilling burgers, assembling nachos, or building s’mores can be as entertaining as it is delicious, and let’s be honest—no one wants to be hungry when aiming for that perfect shot.

Or, if you want to pump things up, you can put on some tunes for some dancing or lighthearted karaoke. Set up a speaker, pull out Spotify, and watch your friendly (or competitive) games become much more lively. Nothing brings people together more than music, and it’s very easy to incorporate it with cornhole or any other outdoor game we’ve mentioned that pairs well with it.

What If Your Boards Aren’t Up for the Task?

If you’re a dedicated cornhole player, we’re sure your boards have seen better days. If you’re planning on using it along with these other games, then you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get outshined. That’s why it might be time for an upgrade, and Slick Woody’s is here to help. We have a wide variety of cornhole boards for sale on our site, so take the time to find one with the perfect style and features for your needs. We know you won’t be disappointed with the fun options we have to offer.