You don’t have to be a pro to enjoy a great game of cornhole. All you need is your cornhole boards and people to play with! The great news is that you don’t even have to just play with adults. Kids, teens, and people of all ages can enjoy this fun and easygoing game. You can stick to traditional cornhole rules or come up with some different ideas to really change it up. You can also strategize ways to make the game easier for kids who may not be able to throw the full length as well. Check out these tips for enjoying cornhole at all ages!
Change It Up for Kiddos
If you’re playing with kiddos or setting up your cornhole boards at an event for the kids, there are some minor things that you can change. The official cornhole rules designate a specific distance for the boards to be placed and where you stand. When the kids are playing, you can use your full-sized cornhole set and just make some minor adjustments to the gameplay in their favor. It’s a great way for the kids to fall in love with the game and learn how it works. They can get the hand and foot placement down and improve their game through the years as well.
So how can you change it up for the kids?
The rules in the game require you to stay behind the foul line, right? When the kids are playing, you can simply adjust the foul line. It still needs to be consistent for all players but you could reduce it from the 30 feet that adults throw. In fact, in kids’ tournaments, the foul line is moved to 21 feet instead, but feel free to start at 15 feet and work from there. You can also be mindful of the board the kids are playing on. If you have a custom set, don’t worry too much about it.
However, if you’re getting ready to design a set, you might consider keeping it simple rather than flashy or chaotic. You can also use smaller boards for the kids if you want. Educate the child on things like a good stance, the arm movement in a toss, and even how the rules work. They can learn things like strategy and development over time. Right now, you want them to get the basics and know the proper form for play. You can reduce the total number of points needed to win the game. Establish this before the game if possible, but you can always change it during play if you just can’t seem to eke out a win on either side. This will help prevent boredom and frustration when the game keeps going.
These things can be used for any age level. If you have teens who aren’t quite ready for adult playing levels, adjust these factors. Or you can adjust for young kiddos and even seniors if you feel it is appropriate. It’s a great way to make the game enjoyable and help these groups to improve their skills.
Tips for Playing with Younger Players
If you’re playing cornhole with youngsters, remember that they are still learning the game. They need to hone their skills and understand the concepts, form, and rules of the game. Many times, we forget that kids just need a little bit of a learning curve at these things. It’s easy to get frustrated or just give up. The best thing that you can do is learn to portray patience when teaching kids to play. The kids may get frustrated. It’s perfectly fine to make some modifications for actual gameplay. Just be sure to teach them how to play correctly so they understand the true rules of playing cornhole.
Start by showing them how to toss and step and where to stand. Be sure they understand the elements of the toss and what they’re trying to accomplish. Many times, the form is the hardest thing to nail down when you’re learning cornhole. But wait! While you want to show the kids proper form, you also want them to learn to toss in a way that works for them. Underhanded tosses are the way the game is meant to be played. Instead of focusing on “doing it right,” let them just get comfortable with a toss. You keep throwing correctly. They are watching and they will get it over time with practice. Don’t forget that you can make some basic modifications of the rules to help accommodate smaller people that are just getting to know the game.
Fun for Everyone
Cornhole games can be fun for everyone. Kiddos can enjoy the game when it's adapted to something that fits them better, and adults can enjoy the game by simply making it their own. The goal is to just have fun together. Yes, there are leagues and tournaments. Those are fun for the people who choose to pursue them. But you don’t have to be a pro. You can simply play for fun and make the most of the game. Use it for parties and find ways to mix it up and keep it interesting as you go.