7 Best Beach Games & How To Play
By Annabel Wickham
If you’re like us, sometimes it’s tough to just sit on the beach for hours - but we greatly admire those who do! To us at Bindl, the best way to pass time on a sunny beach day is with games. While there are a lot out there now, we’ve outlined some of our favorites here and their basic rule sets to get you started and active on your next beach day. From the classics to a few more modern games, we have you covered!
Spikeball
Our personal favorite game for getting your sweat on is Spikeball. It’s competitive but also brings forward a whole lot of laughs. This game gets heated and will have bystanders asking “who’s got next?”.
Equipment
Spikeball Set (shop here)
Soft Ground (sand, grass, snow, etc.)
Basic Rules:
Two teams of two setup around the net (teammates positioned next to one another)
Each play begins with a team serving to the opposite
Each team gets 3 alternating touches per play (try a classic bump, set, spike!)
Score points when opposing teams miss the net, hits the rail, or can’t return your spike
If the ball hits the ground before the net after the opposing team’s touch, you get a point.
Play to 11 pts, 15 pts, or 21 pts.
For more in-depth rules, read here.
Cornhole
Cornhole is a very fun game that requires finesse, very little effort, and is fun for all players at any experience level.
Equipment
Two cornhole boards (shop here)
Eight bean bags of varied colors per team
Basic Rules:
Place the cornhole boards on level ground with 27 ft between them
Two teams of two with a representative on each board
In alternating turns, players pitch their bags to the opposing board
Score 1 point for landing your bag on the board & 3 points for getting it in the hole
Players can hit opposing players bags off the board to prevent scoring
Match your opponents plays to cancel out their scores each round
For more in-depth rules, read here.
Beach Paddleball
This classic beach game is totally up to you to interpret and can be played in many different formats. No matter how you play it though, we are certain you’ll have a blast!
Equipment:
Paddles + rubber ball (shop here)
Basic Rules:
Typically a two-player game but can play with as many people as you have paddles
Stand as far or as close apart as you feel comfortable to maintain control
Hit the ball back and forth to one another until the ball hits the ground - try to set a new rally record every time!
Tidalball:
Created in Bindl’s home state of South Carolina, this game is the perfect mix between cornhole and bocce ball. Both waterproof and sandproof, Tidalball is the ideal game to play at the beach.
Equipment:
Tidalball set (shop here)
Basic Rules:
Two teams of two players spaced 10 paces apart
Dig a 4” diameter hole and a trench behind it
Alternate tosses and try to get the ball into the opposing hole and trench
Score 1 point for landing your ball in the trench & 3 points for getting it in the hole
Same cancel / net scoring as cornhole
For more in-depth rules, read here.
Beach Volleyball
Nothing makes a beach better than when there is a volleyball net already placed on the sand. Watch out because this game is sure to be competitive. Remember, bump, set and spike!
Equipment:
Beach Volleyball Net (found on many beaches)
Volleyball
Basic Rules:
Two teams of two players
Each team gets 3 alternating touches per play (try a classic bump, set, spike!)
Best of 3 sets wins the entire match
Win by being the first team to 21 (win by 2), a third set is only scored to 15
For more in-depth rules, read here.
Bocce Ball
If you’re looking for a game that requires strategy and skill, bocce ball is the game for you. This game is a fan-favorite both today and throughout history.
Equipment:
Bocce ball set (shop here)
Basic Rules:
Two teams with anywhere from 1-4 players on each team
After deciding which team goes first, roll the pallino (small white ball) and as long as it crosses the center line the play will begin.
Alternate bocce ball throws between teams
After the first throw, the team farthest away from the pallino gets to throw and alternate thereafter
Score by being the team with the ball closest to the pallino (1 point for every ball closer than your opponents)
For more in-depth rules, read here
Kan Jam
This frisbee based game is portable, requires a good flick of the wrist and is definitely a very good time. Trust us, no other beach game gives you the dopamine that slotting a frisbee into a Kan does.
Equipment:
Kan Jam set (shop here)
Basic Rules:
Two teams of two players, one on each side of a kan
Assemble the kans and place them 50 ft apart
The game's goal is to get the flying disc into the top of the kan, to hit the side of the kan, or win the game by slotting the disc
The game ends when a team has reached 21 points
For more in-depth rules, read here
Not finding what you’re looking for here to keep you occupied on your next beach day? We suggest trying out some of the other classics like a simple game of frisbee, tossing a football, ring toss, velcro toss, or a waboba!
Interested in keeping track of your wins & losses for your beach games with your friends, download the Talli Social Scoreboard mobile app to create a profile, connect with competitors, & count your games (download iOS | download android)