What Is a Quoit? Quoits Sets for Kids & Families
Picture a stretch of lawn on a bright afternoon, a wooden peg standing upright in the grass, and a child weighing a ring in one hand before taking aim. There is a pause, a throw, and then either the clean clatter of a ring circling the pin or a near miss that draws a groan and a request for one more go.
Quoits is among the oldest garden pastimes still played today, and its appeal is simple: easy to learn, hard to master, and endlessly repeatable. It rewards a steady eye rather than brute strength, which is part of why it works so well for mixed ages.
Any set intended for children should meet the relevant UK safety expectations. Sets tested against BS EN 71, the toy safety standard covering materials, edges and small parts, and carrying UKCA or CE marking, give a sensible baseline before anything goes near small hands. You can browse our quoits and the wider range of our outdoor games with that in mind.
What Is a Quoits Set and How Does the Game Work?
A quoits set has two parts: the rings, called quoits, and a target. Players take turns throwing rings towards a peg or pin fixed in the ground, aiming to encircle it or land as close to it as possible.
Scoring is straightforward. A ring that fully encircles the peg, known as a ringer, earns the most points. Otherwise, the ring closest to the pin usually wins the round. Play continues until a player or team reaches an agreed total.
The target itself varies. The classic single-peg version is the one most people recognise, while the nine-pin format adds a numbered board and a dash of strategy, as players choose which peg to aim for. The Nine Pin Quoits set is a good example of this scoring twist.
Traditional British pub and garden quoits typically use rope or rubber rings, which are softer and more forgiving than the heavy iron rings used in the competitive Northern English and Scottish game. For a family lawn, that softer approach is exactly what you want.
What makes quoits such a reliable garden game is its rhythm. There is no board to set up, no cards to shuffle, and no long rulebook to argue over. You push the peg in, hand out the rings, and start. Younger children can throw from a short distance while older ones step back, so everyone competes on roughly level terms.
If you enjoy games that reward aim and patience, you may also like our croquet, which shares that same unhurried garden character.
What Age Is Quoits Suitable For and Is It Safe for Children?
Quoits suits a wide span of ages because the challenge scales with the distance you throw from. A child of four or five can enjoy tossing a ring over a peg a step away, while an adult can take on a genuine test of accuracy from several paces back.
Broadly, rope or wooden quoits work well from around age three upward with supervision, and become a proper competitive game from five or six. That makes quoits a sensible choice across a family where ages differ.
On safety, the sensible checks are the usual ones. Look for sets tested to BS EN 71 and carrying UKCA or CE marking, which indicates the materials, edges and components have been assessed for use by children. Rounded pegs and smooth rings matter most, since those are the parts a child handles and throws.
Supervision remains the real safeguard. A thrown ring should be aimed at a peg, not a person, and that simple rule is easy for young children to understand. Setting the peg into soft lawn rather than a hard surface also reduces any risk of rings bouncing awkwardly.
There is a wider case for games like this too. The UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines recommend that children aged 5 to 18 get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day. A game that quietly draws children outdoors, bending, reaching and walking between throws, helps that total add up without feeling like exercise.
For more ideas pitched at this age range, see our guide to the best garden games for children under 8.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Quoits Set for the Garden?
Start with the materials. A set built from solid wood will hold its shape across seasons far better than lightweight plastic, and it has a reassuring weight that makes throwing feel deliberate rather than flimsy.
Next, consider the rings. Rope rings are soft and quiet, forgiving on both the lawn and nearby ankles, while wooden rings give a more satisfying feel and a truer flight. Either works for children; the choice comes down to how competitive you want the game to feel.
Look at the peg or base. A peg that pushes firmly into the ground stays put between throws, which keeps younger players from chasing a wobbling target. Freestanding bases suit patios and hard ground where a peg cannot be driven in.
Storage is worth a thought too. A set that comes with a bag, such as the Garden Quoits Set, is far easier to carry to the park, pack for a holiday, or tidy away at the end of the day without losing a ring to the hedge.
Check the safety credentials as a matter of course. Sets tested to BS EN 71 with UKCA or CE marking give you confidence that a game marketed for children has been assessed properly.
Finally, think about who will play. If it is mostly young children, prioritise soft rings and a short throwing distance. If the whole family joins in, a set that rewards accuracy keeps the adults interested. Our overview of the best garden games for children in the UK covers how to balance those priorities.
Are Wooden Quoits Sets Worth It Compared to Rope or Rubber Alternatives?
Rope and rubber quoits have their place. They are soft, cheap and perfectly serviceable for a quick knockabout, and the rubber ring in particular has long been the mainstay of pub and fete play.
Where wooden sets earn their keep is in longevity and feel. A solid wood ring flies with a predictability that soft rope rarely matches, so children can actually learn to improve rather than relying on luck. That sense of getting better is what keeps a game in regular use.
Wood also ages well. A good set weathers to a pleasant tone and survives being left out, dropped and played with hard, where cheaper alternatives can split or perish. Over several summers, the sturdier option often proves the more sensible one.
There is a tactile pleasure to it too. The Original Quoits set in solid wood has a heft and finish that makes it a natural gift as much as a game, the sort of thing that reappears at family gatherings year after year.
None of this means rope is wrong for a toddler's first throws. The honest answer is that the best choice depends on how often and how seriously the game will be played. For occasional use, soft rings are fine; for a game the whole household returns to, wood repays the slightly higher outlay.
Having made games since 1795, Jaques of London has seen which garden games last and which do not, and the pattern is consistent: well-made wood endures. Quoits also pairs neatly with rainy-day options from our board games when the weather turns.
Our Quoits Sets for Children: Which One Is Right for Your Garden?
Choosing between sets comes down to how your family plays. Three options cover most gardens well.
If you want a classic lawn game with real presence, the Original Quoits set in luxury solid wood, at £29.99, is the one to reach for. Its weight and finish make it as much a keepsake as a game, and it suits older children and adults who enjoy a proper test of aim.
For families who like a scoring twist, the Nine Pin Quoits garden game, at £27.99, swaps the single peg for a numbered board. Children can aim for specific pins, which adds a layer of tactics and keeps repeat games interesting.
If portability matters, the Garden Quoits Set with bag, also £27.99, is the versatile all-rounder. The bag makes it easy to take to the park, the beach or a friend's garden, and to pack away without hunting for stray rings.
Whichever you pick, the game itself is the draw: a peg, a handful of rings, and a lawn are all it takes to get children outdoors and moving. You can compare the full range through our quoits collection.
Quoits also works beautifully at gatherings. It features in our round-ups of the best garden games for adults, the best garden games for a wedding, and the best games for a family Christmas party, which says a good deal about how broadly it travels.
£29.99 · gift · tested to UKCA/CE
£27.99 · value · tested to UKCA/CE
£27.99 · all-rounder · tested to UKCA/CE
Shop the range: What Is a Quoit? Quoits Sets for Kids & Families
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Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Games For Children
What is a quoit and how do you play quoits?
A quoit is a ring — traditionally made from rope, rubber, or iron — that players throw at a fixed target peg or pin. The aim is either to encircle the pin (a 'ringer') or to land closer to it than your opponent. Garden and pub quoits sets in the UK typically use rope or rubber rings rather than the heavy iron rings used in competitive Northern English and Scottish quoits. Players take turns throwing a set number of quoits from a marked distance, with points awarded for the closest or encircling rings.
What age is quoits suitable for?
Quoits is suitable for a wide age range, typically from around 4–5 years upwards, though the appropriate age depends on the specific set and its materials. Children's quoits sets using soft rope or rubber rings pose minimal risk for younger players. Any set marketed as a toy in the UK must meet BS EN 71 safety standards, covering materials, edges, and small parts. For very young children, supervision is recommended. Older children and adults can enjoy the same game, simply increasing the throwing distance to raise the challenge.
Is quoits a good garden game for children?
Quoits is an excellent garden game for children. It develops hand-eye coordination, concentration, and turn-taking skills, while encouraging children to be active outdoors. UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines recommend children aged 5–18 achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, and quoits contributes towards that goal in an enjoyable, low-pressure way. The rules are simple enough for young children to grasp quickly, yet the game remains engaging as players refine their throwing technique. It suits mixed-age groups, making it ideal for family gatherings and garden parties.
What is the best quoits set for kids?
The best quoits set for children combines safe, durable materials with a design that suits the age group. Look for rope or rubber rings rather than hard materials, clearly marked pegs that are stable but not sharp, and a set that complies with UK toy safety standard BS EN 71. Jaques of London, established in 1795 and one of the oldest games manufacturers in the world, produces traditional garden quoits sets built for quality and longevity. Prioritise sets with appropriately sized rings for smaller hands and straightforward setup that children can manage independently.
Are wooden quoits sets worth buying?
Wooden quoits sets — where the peg or base is crafted from wood — are generally worth buying for home garden use. Wood offers durability, a classic aesthetic, and a satisfying weight to the base that keeps the peg stable during play. Provided the set meets BS EN 71 safety standards, with no sharp edges or hazardous splinters, a well-made wooden quoits set can last for years. Jaques of London, with roots going back to 1795, is known for producing traditionally crafted wooden games of lasting quality, making such sets a sound investment for family use.
What should I look for in a garden quoits set?
When choosing a garden quoits set, consider the following: material safety (rope or rubber rings are ideal for children, and the set should comply with BS EN 71); sturdiness of the peg or pin so it stays upright during play; ring size suited to players' ages and hand sizes; weather resistance if the set will be left outdoors; and ease of storage. Clear scoring instructions are helpful for younger players. Quality of construction matters too — a set from an established manufacturer such as Jaques of London, founded in 1795, is likely to withstand repeated outdoor use.
How do you play quoits with children — what are the rules?
To play quoits with children, place the target peg firmly in the ground and mark a throwing line at a distance suitable for the players' ages — shorter for younger children. Each player takes turns throwing their quoits at the peg. A 'ringer' (encircling the peg) scores the highest points; otherwise, the quoit closest to the peg scores. Agree on a points total to play to — 21 is common. Keep rules flexible for younger children, allowing them to stand closer. The simplicity of the scoring makes quoits easy for children to manage and referee themselves.
Can you play quoits indoors as well as in the garden?
Yes, quoits can be played indoors as well as in the garden, provided you have sufficient space and use appropriate equipment. Rope or rubber ring sets are well suited to indoor play as they cause minimal damage if they miss the target. A hallway, living room, or playroom can work well, with the peg placed on a flat, stable surface. Reducing the throwing distance makes the game manageable in smaller rooms. Indoor quoits is a practical option in poor weather, keeping children active and engaged without requiring outdoor conditions.
How many players do you need for quoits?
Quoits can be played with as few as two players and scales easily for larger groups, making it a versatile garden game. The standard format is one-versus-one, with each player throwing an equal number of rings per round. With more players, you can play individually in a round-robin format or divide into teams. Most quoits sets include enough rings for two players; for larger groups, additional sets can be combined or players can take turns. The flexibility of the format makes quoits well suited to family gatherings where players of different ages and abilities want to join in.
What is the difference between quoits and ring toss?
Quoits and ring toss are closely related but differ in origin, equipment, and format. Quoits is a traditional British game with roots in rural and pub culture, typically using rope or rubber rings (or historically iron rings) thrown at a single ground-level peg. Ring toss, more commonly associated with fairground games, usually involves tossing rings over multiple upright pegs or bottles arranged in a grid, with different targets scoring different points. Quoits tends to emphasise precision and distance; ring toss often prioritises speed and variety of targets. Both develop throwing accuracy and are enjoyable for children.