Horseshoes

Horseshoes is a popular and fun family game that can be played anywhere from the BBQ to your own backyard, to even the beach.  You don't need much in terms of equipment and the rules are easy to follow.  Horseshoes is also a game that can be enjoyed by the parents and kids making it a great game for family get togethers, BBW's, tailgate parties and any fun function in all. 

For a game of horseshoes you will need two metal stakes and four horseshoes, and if you want to get real fancy you can even get a scoreboard system, but keeping track in your head works just fine.  The scoring for a game of horseshoes is simple a ‘ringer’ is 3 points and close (within 6 inches) gives you 1 point.  The stakes are driven into the ground 40 feet from one another and each player, or team of players stands at opposite horseshoes. 
The players flip a coin or randomly decide who will throw first.  Then each player takes turns tossing all of their horseshoes toward the stake trying to hook the horseshoe around the stake which is called a ‘ringer’, or get as close to their stake a possible. After the first player has thrown all his horseshoes the second player throws her horseshoes at the same stake.  After both players have thrown all their horseshoes the players walk to the stake record their points, collect their horseshoes and then throw them in turn to the opposite stake.  An average game of horseshoes is played to 21 points and the first player or team to score 21 points wins the match. 

Horseshoes is a great game for all your family events with easy set up, clean up and an inexpensive game to purchase at the local department store.  It is also great in case you want to take a fun, portable game camping or something like that since the stakes can be put anywhere in the ground, all you need is a relatively even piece of land that is approximately 45 feet long to have fun with everyone.