Best Wooden Garden Games for Families UK 2026 | Jaques of Lo

A summer afternoon in the garden has a rhythm to it. The mallet clicks against the ball, someone measures a boules throw with a stretched hand, and a small child hurls a wooden baton with more enthusiasm than aim. These are the games that pull a family off the sofa and onto the grass.

Wooden garden games have a long history because wood lasts. A well-made set from good timber will see out a decade of summers, then pass to the next generation. When choosing, look for FSC-certified timber, which confirms the wood is responsibly sourced, and for sets that meet UKCA and CE safety testing so they are safe for younger players.

What follows is a practical look at the games worth owning, from croquet to boules to the Swedish block game Kubb, and how to keep them in good order.

What to Look for in a Wooden Garden Game

Weight and balance tell you most of what you need to know about a wooden garden game. A croquet mallet should feel solid in the hand without straining the wrist, and a boules ball should sit heavy enough to hold its line across uneven grass.

The timber itself matters. Dense hardwoods such as beech and ash resist splitting and take knocks well, which is exactly what a game left out on the lawn will receive. Softer woods dent and warp faster. FSC certification is worth checking, as it confirms the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.

Safety testing is the next consideration, particularly where children play. UKCA and CE marks show a set has been tested to recognised standards, covering things like paint safety and the strength of joints. It is easy to overlook until a mallet head works loose.

Think about who plays. A game that suits adults on a still evening may frustrate a five-year-old, so consider whether you need one set for everyone or something aimed at a particular age. Our guide to garden games for children under eight covers the younger end, while garden games for adults looks at the more competitive options.

Finally, weigh up storage. A set that comes in a wooden box or on a stand is far more likely to survive the winter than loose parts scattered in a shed. Browsing our outdoor games gives a sense of how different sets are packaged and presented.

The Best Garden Game Categories for UK Families

Croquet is the classic English lawn game, and it rewards a bit of space. The Laws of Association Croquet, governed by the Croquet Association, set out a full-size lawn of 35 yards by 28 yards, though most families play a friendlier version on whatever grass they have. It suits a mixed group, since skill counts for more than strength.

Boules, and its French cousin pétanque, works almost anywhere. Pétanque was codified in its modern form in 1910 in La Ciotat, Provence, by Jules Lenoir and Ernest Pitiot, and the game later gained an international governing body, the FIPJP, founded in 1958. It is slow, sociable, and easy to learn in a single throw.

Kubb offers something different again. This Swedish block game, sometimes called Viking chess, is played by knocking over wooden blocks with a thrown baton called a kastpinne. The World Kubb Championship has been held on the island of Gotland since 1995, and the game has spread far beyond Scandinavia because it plays well on rough ground.

Each category has a natural home in a family's summer. Croquet for the long afternoon, boules for the after-dinner hour, Kubb for the rowdy game that draws a crowd. Our overview of traditional outdoor family games sets these alongside skittles and other lawn classics.

You need not choose only one. Many families keep a croquet set for the big occasion and a Kubb set for casual play, and browsing our traditional games shows how the categories sit together.

Our Top Picks: Jaques of London Wooden Garden Games

For families wanting one set to grow into, the Tonbridge Croquet Set With Wooden Stand is a sensible all-rounder at £239. It holds four mallets and everything else on a freestanding wooden rack, so the set is easy to carry out and quick to pack away.

If croquet is to be a gift or a centrepiece, the Reigate Croquet Set with Wooden Box at £549 is the one to consider. Presented in a fitted wooden box, it is the sort of set that becomes a family heirloom rather than a summer purchase. The wider range sits in our croquet collection.

For value and quick fun, the Kubb Outdoor Game at £22 is hard to better. It packs light, suits ages across a wide range, and gets a group involved within minutes of the first throw.

These three cover most family needs: a gift-grade croquet set, a practical everyday croquet set, and an affordable game that travels to the park or the beach. Between them you have the long game, the sociable game, and the game for a restless crowd.

For a fuller comparison across every category, our complete guide to garden games weighs the options side by side, and our look at wooden garden games focuses on the timber sets in particular.

Are Wooden Garden Games Worth the Money?

The honest answer depends on how often the game is played and how long you expect it to last. A cheap plastic set costs little and lasts a season or two before it cracks or fades. A well-made wooden set costs more at the outset and often outlives the child it was bought for.

Wood earns its keep through repair. A loose mallet joint can be re-glued, a scuffed ball can be sanded and re-oiled, and a stray block can be replaced without discarding the whole set. Plastic rarely offers that second life.

There is also the matter of how a wooden game plays. The weight sits true, the ball rolls straight, and the sound of hardwood on hardwood is part of the pleasure. Children treat a handsome set with more care than they give to a bright plastic one, which extends its life further still.

Value is not only about years. A set that lives on a stand or in a box gets used, because it is easy to reach for. A set that is a nuisance to assemble stays in the shed. This is why presentation, as much as timber quality, decides whether a purchase pays off.

For families weighing the cost against the years of use, the mid-range and gift croquet sets tend to justify their price over a decade. At the other end, an affordable Kubb set delivers a great deal of fun for very little. The full spread of options across our outdoor games shows where your budget goes furthest.

How to Store and Care for Wooden Garden Games

Wood and weather are old adversaries, but a little care keeps a garden game sound for years. The single most useful habit is bringing the set indoors when it is not in use, since prolonged damp is what warps and splits timber.

After a session on wet grass, wipe the pieces down and let them dry fully before storing. A ball or block put away damp will develop mould or lift its finish over a winter in the shed.

Once or twice a season, a light application of a suitable wood oil restores the surface and helps the timber shed water. It takes a few minutes and noticeably lengthens the life of mallets, balls, and blocks. Avoid harsh solvents or varnishes that seal the grain in a way that later flakes.

Check the fittings too. Mallet heads and handles can work loose with use, and a screw tightened early saves a bigger repair later. Loose parts are easier to spot when the set lives in a box or on a stand, where nothing goes missing between games.

Store the game somewhere dry and stable rather than a freezing outbuilding, if you can. Extremes of cold and heat are as hard on wood as damp. Sets that come with their own box or rack, such as those in our croquet range, make this straightforward. The same principles apply to indoor wooden games, and many of the sets in our board games collection benefit from the same gentle handling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Game

What is the best garden game for families with young children?

Croquet is an excellent choice for families with young children, as it develops hand-eye coordination and can be played at a relaxed pace suitable for all ages. Skittles and ring toss sets are also ideal for younger players. Kubb, the Swedish wooden block game sometimes called 'Viking chess', suits mixed-age groups well — children enjoy knocking over the wooden kubbs without needing significant strength or speed. Jaques of London offers wooden sets built to last, making them far better value than plastic alternatives for families who play regularly throughout summer.

What age is croquet suitable for?

Croquet is suitable from around age five upwards, making it one of the most genuinely family-friendly garden games available. Younger children can join in with lighter mallets and simplified rules, while older players can progress towards the formal Laws of Association Croquet, which are governed in England by the Croquet Association. A full-size croquet lawn measures 35 yards by 28 yards, though garden sets work perfectly well on a much smaller lawn. Jaques of London has been producing croquet sets for generations, with options scaled appropriately for different ages and abilities.

Are wooden garden games worth it compared to plastic ones?

Wooden garden games are substantially better than plastic alternatives for durability, aesthetics, and play quality. High-quality hardwood mallets, boules, and skittles withstand years of outdoor use without cracking or fading in the way that plastic sets do. Wooden sets also feel noticeably more satisfying to handle and look far better on a garden lawn. Jaques of London crafts sets from carefully selected timbers, meaning an initial higher outlay pays back over many seasons of play. Plastic sets are lighter to store but rarely survive more than a couple of summers of regular family use.

What should I look for in a good quality croquet set?

Look for solid hardwood mallets with a smooth, balanced swing weight — heavier heads suit adults, lighter ones suit children. Hoops should be made from thick steel with firm pointed feet that hold steady in the ground. Balls should be turned from dense hardwood or composite material for a consistent roll. According to the Laws of Association Croquet, governed by the Croquet Association, equipment must meet specific specifications for competitive play, though garden sets can be more flexible. Jaques of London sets are built to exacting standards, offering genuine longevity rather than the flimsy construction common in cheaper alternatives.

How do I choose between croquet and boules for my garden?

The key factor is space. A full-size croquet lawn measures 35 yards by 28 yards according to the Croquet Association, though garden croquet works on any reasonably flat lawn of at least six by ten metres. Boules — particularly pétanque, which was codified in 1910 in La Ciotat, France — requires only a small patch of compacted earth or gravel and suits compact gardens well. Croquet accommodates more simultaneous players in structured turns, while boules is quicker to set up and explain to guests. Both are sociable, but boules edges ahead for very small gardens or impromptu play.

What is the best garden game for a small garden?

Pétanque or boules is the best choice for a small garden. Codified in its modern form in 1910 in La Ciotat, Provence, by Jules Lenoir and Ernest Pitiot, pétanque was specifically designed to be played on compact, uneven terrain — players even stand within a small circle to throw. A strip of around eight metres is sufficient for a proper game. Kubb is another compact option, requiring a rectangle roughly five by eight metres. Both games pack away neatly and involve all ages. Jaques of London stocks quality sets in both games suited to British garden sizes.

What are the most popular outdoor games for families in the UK?

Croquet, boules, and Kubb rank among the most popular wooden outdoor games for UK families. Croquet has long-established roots in Britain, governed formally by the Croquet Association. Boules, particularly pétanque — codified in France in 1910 and now overseen by the Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal, founded in 1958 — has a strong following across the UK. Kubb, the Swedish 'Viking chess' game with its World Championship held annually in Gotland, Sweden since 1995, has grown considerably in popularity. Garden skittles and giant Jenga-style stacking games also remain firm British family favourites.

How do I look after wooden garden games left outside?

Wooden garden games should ideally be stored in a dry shed or garage when not in use, as prolonged exposure to rain causes warping, splitting, and mould growth. If sets are left outside during summer, cover them with a breathable waterproof cover. Treat wooden components annually with a food-safe linseed oil or teak oil to maintain the timber and prevent drying out. Sand down any rough edges before re-oiling. Metal hoops and steel components should be dried after wet weather to prevent rust. Jaques of London sets use quality timbers that respond well to routine maintenance and can last decades with proper care.

What garden games can adults and children play together?

Croquet, boules, and Kubb are all genuinely intergenerational games where adults and children compete on equal terms. Croquet rewards tactical thinking over physical strength, meaning a strategic child can challenge an adult comfortably. Pétanque involves throwing rather than hitting, which younger players master quickly. Kubb — the Swedish wooden block game held annually at the World Kubb Championship in Gotland since 1995 — involves both precision and teamwork, making mixed-age teams highly entertaining. Garden skittles also works brilliantly across age groups. Jaques of London designs sets with mixed-age play in mind, ensuring all family members get genuine enjoyment from each game.

Which garden games are best for a summer party or BBQ?

Boules is arguably the finest BBQ garden game — it requires minimal setup, plays in small rounds, and allows guests to drift in and out between food and conversation. Pétanque, codified in La Ciotat in 1910, is especially sociable as teams of two or three take turns in quick succession. Kubb suits larger gatherings well, with the World Kubb Championship format from Gotland demonstrating how team play adds competitive fun. Croquet works brilliantly for longer afternoon parties where guests want structured entertainment across a lawn. Jaques of London sets make a strong visual impression at outdoor gatherings alongside their excellent play quality.