Sometimes referred to as lawn games or yard games, tossing games are recreational activities in which players throw objects toward a target or into a designated area to score points.

While typically played outdoors, some tossing games, like darts, can also be played indoors.

Tossing games include Cornhole, Darts, Frisbee, Horseshoes, KanJam, Kubb, Ladder Toss, Washer Toss, and other games in which players throw, toss, or launch an object toward a target to score points. The target can be stationary or moving, and the object thrown can vary in size, shape, and material.

Also known as bean bag toss, cornhole is believed to have originated in Germany in the 14th century, making its way to the United States by the late 19th or early 20th century, particularly in the Midwestern states. Players take turns throwing bags filled with corn kernels or beans at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. Points are scored based on where they land; one point is scored if the bag lands on the platform, with three points awarded for those that go into the hole. Boards are usually made of wood or plastic.

Although not traditionally considered a tossing game, darts began in medieval England, where the sport evolved from training exercises in archery. While the game is often played outdoors, it has also gained popularity as a pub game. The game involves players throwing small, pointed darts at a circular dartboard fixed to a wall or board. The goal is to hit specific sections of the board to score points, with games like 501 and Cricket being popular variations.

The modern frisbee was invented in 1948 and initially called the Flyin' Saucer. The Wham-O toy company acquired the rights to the design in 1957 and renamed it the Frisbee. It has since evolved into various sports, including Ultimate Frisbee, which combines elements of soccer and football, and Disc Golf, in which players throw a disc into a series of baskets with rules similar to golf.

Horseshoes is an ancient game that originated during the Roman Empire, where it evolved from a game played with discus-like objects. The modern version, played with four horseshoes and two stakes, originated in the United States during the mid-19th century with the objective of getting the horseshoes to wrap around or hand from the stake.

Invented in the 1980s in Buffalo, New York, CanJam was originally called Garbage Can Frisbee. A combination of horseshoes and frisbee, the game involves two players or teams tossing a flying disc into a goal, generally a cylindrical target known as a kan. Points are scored through hits, with an instant win if the disc goes into the kan slot unassisted.

Kubb originated in Sweden. It is a traditional tossing game played with wooden blocks (kubbs) and batons. Players take turns tossing the batons at the kubbs, to knock them over or into a designated area. Kubb is often played at outdoor gatherings or festivals.

Similar to cornhole, ladder toss involves tossing bolos (strings with rubber balls) at a three-pronged ladder, with the aim of wrapping the bolas around the rungs, with different point values assigned to each rung.

Washer toss is another variation of horseshoes. The game involves tossing small metal disks (washers) at a tray or target, with the goal of tossing the washers into the box or hole for points. Points are based on the proximity of the washers to the target.

Other tossing games that fit this category include Bocce Ball, Frisbee Golf, Ladderball, Ring Toss, and Tidalball.

Topics related to these and other tossing games are appropriate for this part of our web guide. However, retail or product sites should be listed in our directory's corresponding Shopping & eCommerce section.

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