Yard Games

A badminton net is very easy to set up and is good for hours of family fun. Mark the guide wires with brightly colored tape for safety. A formal horseshoe pit is 40-feet long, but just set up stakes anywhere on the lawn for a quick and fun game. Croquet sets up easily and is great fun for all ages. A backyard putting green is pretty much the ultimate in lawn games.

• Many people spend a lot of time and money making sure they have a beautiful front yard, but they often do not use it. Invest some effort into getting the most out of the backyard. It can serve as a great place for gatherings of family, friends and neighbors.

• Yard games are a great way to spend time outdoors. Badminton, croquet, bocce ball and horseshoes are all fun games that can be played on any type of yard.

Badminton

• When deciding on where to place the badminton net, first decide whether it's going to stay up all season or just be set up on occasion. If it's going to be up all summer, choose an area of the lawn that has tougher grass or that isn't as important aesthetically because badminton players will trample the grass.

• If the badminton set is up all summer, consider removing the turf in small circular areas around the stakes and poles. This eliminates the need to trim these areas, and makes for a nicer-looking play area.

• A badminton net can also be used to practice or play volleyball.

Horseshoes

• Is there an area in the yard where the grass just doesn't do too well, such as beneath a tree? If so, that's a great place to set up a horseshoe pit. In fact, building a permanent horseshoe pit is a way to make difficult areas of the lawn more appealing.

• Remove the grass from around the stakes for the best playing action.

• Try to set up the stakes on a north-south axis so no one has to look into the sun when throwing.

Croquet and Bocce Ball

• Croquet is much less stressful on the yard than most games, and bocce ball is even gentler. Croquet courts are rarely left up between games, and bocce ball can be played with nothing but the balls.

• Store the wickets, mallets and balls of a croquet set in a large plastic bucket.
  

Putting Green

• A backyard putting green is another great way to have fun out in the yard. A professional landscaper can install a green, and kits are available for the do-it-yourselfer. Remember, though, that putting greens require a lot of maintenance.