Best Garden Games for Children UK | Jaques of London
A summer afternoon in a British garden rarely stays quiet for long. Give a child a mallet, a hoop or a skittle and the lawn becomes a stage for invention, rivalry and a good deal of laughter.
Garden games have always done more than fill an hour. They teach children to take turns, to judge distance, to lose well and to try again. They also help children move, and the UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that those aged 5 to 18 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day.
Before anything reaches a child's hands, safety matters. Toys and games sold in the UK are tested against the British Standards Institution's BS EN 71, which covers mechanical, physical and chemical properties, and should carry UKCA or CE marking. That testing is the quiet foundation beneath every game in our outdoor games range.
What to Look for When Choosing Garden Games for Children
The first question is age. A game pitched too high frustrates a younger child, while one pitched too low bores an older one. A good garden game rewards a five-year-old and a twelve-year-old differently, which is why the classics endure.
Look next at how much space you have. A standard Association Croquet lawn measures 35 yards by 28 yards, but no family needs anything near that. Most garden games scale happily to a modest patch of grass, and many work on a patio too.
Consider group size. Some games suit a single determined child practising alone; others only come alive with four or more players. If you often host, weighting your collection towards team games pays off.
Weight and grip matter for small hands. A mallet or ball that is too heavy stops being fun quickly, so age-appropriate sizing is worth checking before you buy.
Then there is durability. Garden games live outdoors, get dropped and left in the rain. Honest materials and sound construction decide whether a set lasts one summer or a childhood.
Finally, check the safety marking. UKCA or CE marks, backed by BS EN 71 testing, tell you a game has been assessed properly. Our traditional games are made with that standard in mind, and browsing our outdoor games is a sensible starting point for any garden.
The Best Types of Garden Games for Children by Age and Group Size
For the youngest children, simplicity wins. Skittles, ring toss and soft target games reward the act of throwing and knocking down without demanding fine coordination. Our guide to the best garden games for children under 8 breaks this down by developmental stage.
Children of around five to eight thrive on games with clear rules and quick rounds. Hoopla, giant noughts and crosses, and beginner croquet all give a sense of achievement within minutes rather than hours.
From eight upwards, strategy becomes the draw. Croquet comes into its own here, as children learn to plan shots and block opponents. Browse our croquet to find sets sized for younger players.
Group size shapes the choice as much as age. One or two children do well with target and precision games. Four or more call for team formats where turns keep everyone involved.
Mixed-age gatherings are the real test, and the best solution is a game adults enjoy too. Our round-up of the best garden games for families is built around exactly this, while our guide to garden games for adults shows which classics hold an older crowd.
Occasions deserve their own thinking. A summer party or a wedding needs games that look handsome on the lawn and suit a crowd that drifts in and out, which our garden games for a wedding guide covers. Not every garden day stays dry, so it helps to keep some of our board games indoors for when the weather turns.
Our Favourite Garden Games for Children from Jaques of London
A few games earn their place in almost any garden. Croquet is the obvious one, striking a rare balance between genteel tradition and genuine competitive bite. Children grasp the basics fast and spend years refining the rest, and our croquet sets include smaller mallets for shorter arms.
Lawn bowls has history on its side. The game has been played in England since at least the 13th century, with Southampton Old Bowling Green, dating from 1299, among the oldest in the world. It teaches patience and a steady hand, and sits naturally within our traditional games.
Not every garden favourite is a game in the strict sense. A swing offers something different: unstructured, repeatable outdoor play that children return to again and again. Our Premium Children's Garden Swing Seat gives a simple, sturdy focal point for the youngest, and at £19.99 it is an easy all-rounder.
Skittles and ring toss remain the reliable crowd-pleasers, equally at home at a family lunch or a quiet weekday afternoon. You will find them alongside the rest of our outdoor games, chosen to suit a range of ages in one household.
When the day winds down or the rain arrives, the fun need not stop. Our board games carry the same games indoors, and if you are planning a festive gathering, our guide to games for a family Christmas party with children shows how the outdoor and indoor sets work together across a day.
Are Wooden Garden Games Worth It? Quality, Safety and Longevity Explained
Wooden garden games cost more than their plastic equivalents, and the difference is fair to question. The honest answer rests on how the materials behave over years rather than weeks.
Timber has weight and balance that plastic struggles to match. A wooden mallet swings truer, a wooden skittle falls with a satisfying heft, and both feel reassuring in a child's hands. That tactile quality is part of why the classics have lasted.
Longevity is the stronger argument. A well-made wooden set survives being dropped, stacked and left out far better than hollow plastic, which cracks and fades. Replaced season after season, cheaper sets often cost more in the end.
Repairability matters too. A wooden handle can be sanded, re-oiled or replaced, where a split plastic part usually means the whole thing is binned. Our traditional games are built to be maintained rather than discarded.
Safety sits alongside quality, not apart from it. Whatever the material, games sold in the UK should meet BS EN 71 and carry UKCA or CE marking, covering the mechanical, physical and chemical properties that matter most with children.
As the world's oldest games and toys manufacturer, established in 1795, Jaques has made the same case for generations: a game made well is a game that lasts. That thinking runs through our croquet and the wider outdoor games range, where sets are chosen to be played with hard and kept for years.
How to Store and Care for Children's Garden Games in the UK Climate
The British climate is the real enemy of garden games. Damp, frost and strong sun all take their toll, but a little routine care keeps a good set in play for years.
The single most useful habit is bringing games indoors after use. A few minutes spent carrying mallets and balls back to a shed or cupboard prevents most weather damage before it starts.
Dry everything before storing it. Wood left damp in a sealed box can develop mould or warp, so wipe sets down and let them air if they have been out in the wet. A garage shelf or dry utility cupboard suits most sets well.
Wooden games benefit from an occasional light oiling. A coat of linseed or similar oil once a season feeds the timber and helps it shrug off moisture, keeping handles smooth and comfortable to hold.
Store heavier items so they cannot fall, and keep small parts together in a labelled bag or box. Lost hoops and skittles are the usual reason a set stops being played with, more than any wear to the game itself.
Through the colder months, the same care applies to anything left out. If a swing such as our Premium Children's Garden Swing Seat stays up over winter, check its fixings each spring before a child uses it again. When the garden is out of bounds, our board games keep the habit of play going indoors until the lawn dries out.
£19.99 · all-rounder · tested to UKCA/CE
Shop the range: Best Garden Games for Children UK
Our most relevant picks, made by a British family company since 1795.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Games For Children
What are the best garden games for children in the UK?
The best garden games for children in UK gardens include croquet, lawn bowls, skittles, quoits, and giant versions of classics such as noughts and crosses. Croquet develops strategy and coordination, while skittles and quoits are accessible for younger players. Jaques of London, established in 1795 and recognised as the world's oldest games and toys manufacturer, produces a broad range of traditional garden games designed for British outdoor play. These games encourage physical activity, which aligns with UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines recommending children aged 5–18 accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
What age are garden games suitable for?
Garden games suit a wide range of ages, typically from around three years upwards, depending on the specific game. Simple games such as skittles and quoits are well-suited to children aged three and above, whilst croquet and lawn bowls are generally more enjoyable from around six or seven years. Many sets are designed so that younger and older children can play together, making them ideal for family gardens. Always check the manufacturer's recommended age guidance on any game before purchasing, particularly for sets containing small parts.
Are wooden garden games worth the money?
Wooden garden games represent excellent long-term value. Quality hardwood sets are significantly more durable than plastic alternatives, withstanding repeated outdoor use across multiple seasons. They also tend to be more environmentally sustainable. Manufacturers such as Jaques of London, established in 1795, have produced wooden garden games for generations, and well-maintained sets can last decades. The upfront cost is higher, but the longevity, tactile play experience, and classic aesthetic make wooden garden games a sound investment for families who play outdoors regularly throughout the British summer.
What should I look for in garden games for children?
When selecting garden games for children, prioritise safety certification first. In the UK, look for compliance with BS EN 71, the British Standards Institution standard governing mechanical, physical, and chemical safety of toys and games. Beyond safety, consider age-appropriateness, durability of materials, and ease of setup. Wooden sets from established manufacturers generally offer greater longevity. Check that components are sturdy, fixings are secure, and any painted surfaces use non-toxic finishes. Also consider storage: sets that pack neatly into a carry case are far easier to manage between uses.
How do I choose the right garden game for my child's age?
Match the game to your child's physical coordination and cognitive stage. Children aged three to five typically enjoy simple target games such as skittles or ring toss. Those aged six to ten can manage more structured games like croquet, though a smaller-scale set suits most UK gardens better than an Association Croquet lawn, which measures 35 yards by 28 yards. Older children and teenagers enjoy competitive sets with clearer rules and scoring. Always observe the manufacturer's minimum age guidance, particularly regarding small components, and opt for sets certified to BS EN 71 for safety assurance.
What are the best outdoor games for children's parties in the garden?
For children's parties in the garden, choose games that are quick to learn, accommodate multiple players, and generate lively participation. Skittles, quoits, hoopla, and sack races work well for younger guests, whilst older children enjoy croquet, lawn bowls, or giant garden chess. Games that can run simultaneously across a garden space keep large groups engaged without long waits. Jaques of London, the world's oldest games and toys manufacturer founded in 1795, offers traditional party-friendly garden game sets designed for group play, combining robust construction with straightforward rules accessible to children of varying ages.
What garden games can children play without adult supervision?
Games with simple, self-explanatory rules and no risk of injury are best suited to unsupervised play. Skittles, quoits, hoopla, and giant noughts and crosses are all appropriate for children old enough to follow basic rules independently, generally from around five or six years. Croquet and lawn bowls can also be played unsupervised by older children once rules have been explained. Always ensure equipment meets BS EN 71 safety standards, with no sharp edges or loose small components, and that the play area is free from hazards before leaving children to play independently.
How do I store wooden garden games over winter?
Store wooden garden games in a dry, well-ventilated indoor space such as a garage, shed, or utility room over winter. Before storing, clean all components with a slightly damp cloth and allow them to dry completely to prevent mould or warping. Apply a light coat of teak oil or appropriate wood treatment to mallets, balls, and frames to protect the grain against moisture. Keep sets in their original carry cases or wrap components in cloth to prevent scratching. Avoid storing directly on cold concrete floors, as residual damp can cause wood to absorb moisture.
What are the safest garden games for young children?
For young children, choose garden games with no small detachable parts, rounded edges, and non-toxic finishes. Skittles, soft quoits, and foam-ball target games are among the safest options for under-fives. In the UK, BS EN 71 is the British Standards Institution standard governing toy and game safety, covering mechanical, physical, and chemical properties — always look for this certification when purchasing. Avoid sets with metal pins, sharp stakes, or heavy mallets for younger age groups. Jaques of London offers age-graded garden game sets designed with child safety and robust construction as core considerations.
What garden games are good for small gardens?
Compact garden games are widely available and perfectly suited to typical UK garden sizes. Skittles, quoits, hoopla, and tabletop versions of classic games require minimal space and can be played on a patio or small lawn. Croquet sets can be adapted for smaller areas by reducing the course, though a full Association Croquet lawn measures 35 yards by 28 yards — far larger than most domestic gardens. Jaques of London, established in 1795, produces scaled sets suitable for everyday garden use. Look for games that pack away tidily so they do not permanently occupy limited outdoor space.
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