Though catching waves or lounging with a book while sunbathing might be classic beach vibes, sometimes you’ve got to mix things up with a little friendly competition.
That’s where beach games come in. We’ve scoured the sands for the best ones and rounded up our top ten picks, so the next time you’re at the beach, you’ll have the perfect game to show off your skills and challenge your crew.
The Ten Best Beach Games to Play in 2025
Spikeball
Guaranteed to get your people on their feet, Spikeball is the ultimate game for those 2025 beachside showdowns. If “volleyball and foursquare had a baby,” this game of four players, a mini trampoline, and a little yellow ball is the product.
Spikeball has taken the world by storm, with about 4 million people worldwide now playing the dynamic game, marketing itself as a game for tournaments, international competitions, and, above all, as a go-to to pass the perfect beach day.
Played 2 vs. 2, one player serves by hitting the ball into the net so it ricochets up to his opponent and the point is played out from there. Like volleyball, think bump, set, spike! You and your partner have up to three touches on the ball to send it flying back into the net. The goal is to make it impossible for your opponents to return the ball back to the net within those three touches.
You can find a more in-depth list of rules, pointers, and fun twists in the game here, and Spikeball sets for purchase here, with prices starting at $60.
Kubb
Said to have been played all the way back in the Viking Ages, Kubb is an innovative game for all ages. It takes both strategy and skill and for those of you with great hand-eye coordination, this might be up your alley.
Split into 2 teams (1-6 players on each) and the first team to throw wooden dowels at their opponents’ blocks, knock them all over, then knock over the king block, wins.
Dowels MUST be thrown underhand, which is what makes knocking over the 5 opponent blocks so tricky. Blocks are re-arranged, the throwing line shifts, and more in this eco-friendly, hardwood game that is easy to transport to and from the beach. For $50, you can find it for purchase here!
TidalBall
America’s beach game, TidalBall, is the perfect blend between bocce and cornhole that is waterproof, sand proof, and has been downsized so that it is able to fit into a beach bag.
It was invented in South Carolina and can be played anywhere there is sand.
Begin by digging two holes and a trench—each team then takes turns tossing the ball at the hole, trying to get it to land inside either. Like cornhole, teammates stand on opposing sides, and TidalBall follows the classic cancel out/net scoring format.
You can check out more rules (or, as TidalBall says, make them up as you go) and find the game using this link.
BucketGolf
Featured on Shark Tank and Good Morning America, BucketGolf is dubbed the ultimate backyard yard golf game created to bring together families and friends at the beach with competitive fun. Never played golf before? No worries! The founders of BucketGolf claim it’s a game for everyone, regardless if you’re a seasoned golfer or have never picked up a club before.
Every hole (a red bucket with a flag) acts as a par three.
Grab a club—choose wisely, because once you claim a club, that’s the only one you can use—and try to hit the bucket with the whiffle-like golf ball. If you make it in the bucket, that’s one stroke you can eliminate from your score.
But watch out for hazards, like water or brush, as hitting the ball into that will result in a one stroke penalty. Lowest score after all the holes are complete wins! It’s time to bring golf to the beach; check out BucketGolf for sale here.
Hydro Football
Football: a timeless classic that’s just too fun to leave off a beach day lineup. And with Hydro Football, the fun doesn’t have to stop once you hit the water.
Nothing beats a game of catch, and once you add in some sand and waves, it’ll feel like a whole new game.
The number of games to play with a football are endless: Keep Away, Jackpot, Pass and Run, or even a full scale football game with players loaded on each side. What could be better than creating so many fun and competitive games with just one object?
And with Hydro Football, you don’t have to worry about water or sand damage, as it was created to withstand game play in almost any conditions. Visit Amazon to purchase it for only $10.99.
Bottle Bash
With an easy over-the-shoulder bag for efficient transportation and a quick set up, Bottle Bash can be ready to play in moments, ensuring you waste no time on the best beach day.
This 2 vs. 2 game of frisbee with a twist features a pole and bottle on top for each team.
Players take turns throwing the disc at their opponents’ setup, trying to knock the bottle off. The team on defense will attempt to catch both the disc and bottle, and points are rewarded if either one is dropped and touches the sand. First to 21 points wins! Check out Bottle Bash, now on sale for $50, here.
CrossNet
Did you dominate the foursquare courts back in elementary school? Or maybe you were a volleyball star, owning the net in your high school gym class.
Like Spikeball, mentioned earlier on this list, CrossNet combines volleyball and foursquare to create the ultimate beach game. It’s the world’s first four-way volleyball net and has transformed the beach scene.
Each of four players gets their own section of the net. Like volleyball, you have three hits to get the ball over your portion of the net and send it into another quadrant. If the ball hits the ground in your section, sorry! You just got eliminated. Whoever is in square four is awarded a point.
If you have more than four players, you can form a line outside of square one and rotate when a player is eliminated. Play to 11 points. Volleyball player or not, CrossNet is a game anyone can play and is guaranteed to get everyone on their feet and feeling like a kid again. Check our CrossNet for purchase here.
Hydro Pickleball
With Hydro Pickleball, you can bring the fastest-growing sport in America right to the sand, ensuring you don’t have to take any days off, not even for a beach vacation.
Coming with two paddles, a pickleball, and a rubber ball, players take turns hitting the ball back and forth, trying to keep it from touching the ground.
These sets are waterproof and great for families, and the paddles are regulation size, meaning you can practice at the beach before heading to the big leagues.
Check out Hydro Pickleball here.
UNO Splash
If you’re looking for a peaceful, quiet way to enjoy some friendly competition without working up a sweat playing in the sand, UNO Splash might be the game for you.
Its durable, waterproof plastic cards ensure no water or sun damage, and the game will pack perfectly into a beach bag.
With over 19,000 highly rated Amazon reviews, UNO Splash is a crowd pleaser, customers describing the game as “the ultimate UNO experience for anyone who loves outdoor games” and “better than the original cards.” Enjoy this game alongside family and friends for a relaxing end to a beach day—until a Draw Four is placed, then it’s every player for themselves. Get UNO Splash from Amazon for $9.99.
Ladder Toss
This outdoor Ladder Toss, designed with a weighted base for stability in the sand and foldable parts for easy take down and set up, is guaranteed to entertain for hours.
Players compete to score the most points by tossing their bolos at an opposing ladder, trying to wrap the bolo around a rung to be awarded points.
Tiers range from 1-3 points, so aim for the top rung to score the most points possible! This game can either be played one vs. one or multiplayer, with teams of two. No matter what age you are, Ladder Toss will take your beach day to the next level with fast-paced fun that’ll have everyone aiming for the perfect toss all afternoon. Buy it here.
The Bottom Line: Best Beach Games of 2025
Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced game to keep you active or a relaxing one to wind the excitement down, these beach games offer something for everyone. Hopefully the right one spoke to you, and if it didn’t, well, maybe it’s time to resort to building a sandcastle or burying your little brother in the sand.
Comments