Home Yard Croquet Is The Old-School Lawn Game We're Bringing Back This Summer Find a patch of green grass and have a ball. By Southern Living Editors Updated on April 27, 2023 Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email There's no better way to spend a leisurely summer afternoon than playing a lawn game. While our cornhole sets and giant Jenga blocks get a workout during the summer, there's an old-school backyard game that we're ready to try out. Croquet, anyone? To avoid visions of Alice in Wonderland playing croquet with flamingo mallets springing to mind, let us bring you up to speed. On a sunny day, we can't think of anything nicer than whacking croquet mallets around the grass with a glass of lemonade in hand. It's also great for parties, as it's an ideal activity for entertaining guests at picnics and backyard barbecues. Lars Thulin/Getty Images Croquet History According to The Croquet Foundation of America, croquet originated in medieval France, and a more recognizable (to Americans) version of the game developed in nineteenth-century England. Several versions of the game, each with its own rules and format, have become widely accepted, though variations abound. While the game's popularity has ebbed and flowed over the decades, it became a competitive sport during the 1970s and has become a fun backyard activity for all ages. How To Play Croquet As for the rules, The Croquet Foundation of America says, "Many people are familiar with the informal backyard version of croquet." Friends and family play this version under "house rules" on back lawns with nine wickets and two stakes. The Foundation says, "The nine-wicket game continues to be hugely popular. One retailer estimates that well over 100,000 backyard croquet sets are sold each year." For a run-down of exactly how to play and maps for setting up the lawn, check out the guides offered by the United States Croquet Association, which breaks down the American rules as well as the instructions for Golf Croquet, Nine-Wicket, or Backyard, Croquet, and Gateball, all of which you can play with a standard croquet set. Croquet Sets A typical croquet set includes balls, mallets, pegs, and hoops (or wickets), which you knock the balls through. They are available from various retailers, including a wood set from Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia (BUY IT: $99.99, target.com). You can also find croquet sets of varying prices and styles at amazon.com. Many have stands and carrying cases, so you can enjoy the fun wherever you go. Target If you feel like playing a game of croquet, choose a sunny day, find a patch of green grass, and have a ball. For more ideas for backyard fun, check out our list of backyard games—including giant Jenga, cornhole, lawn darts, and spike ball—to keep your family entertained all summer. Have you ever played croquet? What's your go-to lawn game for summer afternoons and backyard picnics? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Southern Living is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. The Croquet Foundation of America. History of croquet. The Croquet Foundation of America. History of croquet.