Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco
I love playing cornhole! It’s a great icebreaker at social gatherings. If I’m feeling stressed or nervous about meeting new people, a bit of cornhole competitiveness and fun is always a great distraction. Plus, this game can also help strengthens friendship bonds.
Next, we’ll take a look at why cornhole is such a fun outdoor game to play,
These are 16 reasons why you should play cornhole at your next social gathering:
1. It’s a Game With Simple Rules
Nothing is worse than playing a game but not understanding the rules quickly. If you’re someone who feels like they’re lagging in the game because of this, it can make you not want to play it. Luckily, cornhole doesn’t have any complicated rules to remember.
You play cornhole by trying to throw bean bags into a hole in an angled platform. There are two platforms, one for each person or team to use.
You get one point when your bag lands on the board or platform. If your bag enters the hole, you get three points. The first person or team that achieves 21 points wins the game,
That’s about it! The rules are so simple that anyone can play – no manual necessary.
2. It’s a Game You Can Customize
You don’t need to spend lots of hard-earned money on the pieces and parts you’ll need to play cornhole. You can make platforms and even substitute the bean bags for other ones you already have at home.
That said, it’s essential to use a bag that has an adhesive side so it will stick to the board.
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can make your own cornhole boards. You should watch this YouTube video as it provides detailed steps to follow to construct wooden cornhole boards.
3. It’s Not Physically Taxing
Some outdoor sports and games require you to have some fitness, but that’s not the case with cornhole. If you can throw a frisbee or a ball to your dog, you can throw a bag to make a shot in a cornhole game!
While some wrist action is involved, it’s minimal, so even if you have a health condition like arthritis, you can still play cornhole. You can also play with one hand, which makes it user-friendly.
4. It’s Safe for Kids To Play
Playing games like soccer or baseball often involves a risk of injury, which is especially concerning if kids are involved. Cornhole is a safe outdoor game because you won’t probably hurt anyone by throwing soft bags around! Plus, it’s so easy to understand that even the youngest children can play.
5. It Involves the Whole Family
Sometimes outdoor games can be polarizing. Some family members or friends, such as seniors with mobility issues, might feel like they can’t join in, while others might be eager to play for several hours. The result is that people split up at parties and don’t interact with each other.
With cornhole, everyone can join in the fun without concerns regarding age or experience.
6. It Doesn’t Require a Lot of Space
You don’t need a large area to play cornhole, making it a versatile game you can play wherever you are. On a rainy day, you could even play it indoors.
If you want a game you can take wherever you go, I recommend buying a portable cornhole game set, which you could probably find on Amazon. They usually come with eight bean bags and two fold-up boards. The fold-up boards are usually about 3×2 feet (0.9×0.6 meters) in size, so they can be easily stored away when not in use.
7. It Tests Your Skills in a Fun Way
Although cornhole is simple to play, it can also be challenging to win. So, you can expect a bit of challenge to keep you in the game. It’s a fun game that tests your skills and how well you can aim in a relaxed way – you can play it at a BBQ or picnic in-between eating, drinking, and socializing.
8. It Gets People Away From Their Devices
Few things are more annoying than everyone hiding behind their mobile devices at a party. By setting up cornhole boards, you encourage people to go outside and do something different. Since cornhole is so simple and easy to play, getting everyone to pocket their phones and jump into the game will be a breeze.
9. You Can Play Cornhole With Two or More Players
Another great thing about cornhole is that you can play it with however many people you’re with. You don’t need more than two players, and it’s also easy to play with an odd number of people. If you have multiple people at your social gathering, you will have larger cornhole teams.
10. You Can Set Rewards To Make the Game More Fun
The winning cornhole team or a person needs to be the first to score 21 points, but you can add more fun to the game by setting rewards for different achievements.
For example, if someone scores a holy moly triple cornholy, when they manage to get three bags into the hole in a row, they could win a reward such as a special snack, dessert, drink, trophy, or anything else that you have lying around.
11. It’s Great for Family Bonding Time
You can play cornhole whenever you want to spend more time with your family. Since it’s so easy to set up and start playing, you can do it at home or when you’re on a family vacation.
This game also lets you enjoy each other’s company, as you can chat and laugh together during each other’s attempts at scoring points.
12. It Prevents Awkward Silences at Social Gatherings
If you’re meeting someone new, whether you’re on a date with them or you’re meeting your new neighbors at a block party, it’s never fun to experience awkward silences.
Playing a game of cornhole is a great way to enjoy an activity together without the pressure of making small talk.
13. You Can Play Cornhole Outside at Night
You can add accessories to the game to increase your enjoyment, such as by purchasing LED lights for night-time cornhole games.
For instance, you can find different types of cornhole lights on Amazon. These light up your platforms’ board edges and holes and have unique patterns to make night-time cornhole games a blast.
14. You Can Play a Shorter or Longer Game
It will probably take your team about half an hour or so to score 21 points, so cornhole is a quick game you can easily fit into your social gathering.
That said, you can also enjoy a longer game if you like by increasing the maximum number of points to win or playing multiple rounds. That is why cornhole can be fun for several hours!
15. It Lets You Be Competitive in a Casual Setting
While cornhole is a casual and fun game for everyone, it can also become competitive as opposing team members try to get better shots. A bit of competition is a great way to challenge each other in a non-stressful way.
Enjoying a bit of competitiveness with your friends strengthens your bond. When you work together to win, you trust each other and share in your victories together. When you compete against your friends, it also gives you new insight into each other’s personalities.
16. It Offers Some Health Benefits
Although cornhole isn’t a highly athletic game, it can improve your balance and aim and help you get some mild exercise in your day. It gets you up on your feet, off your phone, and moving around with other people, which is sure to boost your mood and give you a fun change of pace.
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!
JC Franco
JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.