8 Fun Bean Bag Games for Schools, Camps, and Family Play

8 Fun Bean Bag Games for Schools, Camps, and Family Play

Few things are as simple — and as fun — as a bean bag game. Lightweight, safe for all ages, and easy to set up, bean bags are playground staples that work just as well indoors as they do outdoors. From tossing challenges to relay races, these games are perfect for schools, camps, youth groups, and even backyard parties.

At The Best Group Games, we love equipment that sparks creativity and teamwork. Here are some of the best bean bag games that get kids moving and laughing.

Why Bean Bag Games Work for Groups

  • Safe and soft: Ideal for young children and mixed-age groups.
  • Easy setup: No fancy equipment required — just bean bags and imagination.
  • Portable: Take them anywhere — gyms, fields, classrooms, or backyards.
  • Versatile: Use for skill-building, team challenges, or just plain fun.

1. Bean Bag Toss

A classic. Set up buckets, cones, or chalk-marked targets and have players aim to score points. Adjust distances for different ages or create multi-level challenges.

2. Relay Races

Teams race while balancing a bean bag on their head, shoulder, or back. Drop it? Go back to the start. This simple twist makes standard relays more exciting.

3. Tic-Tac-Throw

Create a large tic-tac-toe grid on the ground using tape or chalk. Teams take turns tossing bean bags to claim spaces and score three in a row.

4. Hot Potato

Pass the bean bag around a circle while music plays. When the music stops, whoever has the bean bag is out (or must perform a silly challenge). Great icebreaker game for groups.

5. Bean Bag Bowling

Set up plastic bottles or cones as pins and have kids “bowl” with bean bags. It’s safer and quieter than traditional bowling, perfect for indoor play.

6. Target Challenge

Combine bean bags with other play equipment like hoops or cones. Players aim to land their bean bags inside specific zones for points — perfect for field day stations.

7. Musical Bean Bags

Place bean bags on the floor. Kids walk or dance around them while music plays, and when it stops, they race to grab one. Remove a bean bag each round until one winner remains (like musical chairs).

8. Cornhole (Classic Outdoor Bean Bag Game)

One of the most popular bean bag games for all ages. Players toss bags into raised boards with a hole for points — great for school fairs, backyard BBQs, or camp competitions.

Add Variety with Other Group Play Gear

Mix bean bag games with other favorites like the 9 Square in the Air, Disc It, or You.Fo to create a full day of active fun for any age group.


The Bottom Line

A bean bag game is simple, affordable, and endlessly adaptable — exactly what group play should be. Whether you’re hosting a field day, running a camp, or planning a backyard party, bean bags deliver big fun with little setup.

Check out The Best Group Games for easy-to-use group play gear that pairs perfectly with bean bag activities and keeps kids active all year long.

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