With football season starting back up strong, tailgating games are back in fashion. Some of the more popular games including Corn Hole and Ladder Ball offer a simple setup and team competition, but often lack a touch of strategy that makes another game great. A Swedish game called Kubb is set to spread like wildfire among the lawn game crowd.
What is Kubb
Kubb is an easy to learn, yet challenging yard game for people of all ages. Anywhere from two to twelve players can play at once making it great for any occasion. The game is based on a simple concept of knocking over blocks with batons, but provides much excitement as the game develops to the eventual take down of the king block.
In general, this is how Kubb is played.
- Each team sets up 5 blocks on a goal line and a king block is placed in the middle of the field – let’s call it the 50-yd line.
- Teams alternate tossing 6 batons at the opposing blocks with the objective being to knock over all blocks on the opposing goal line and then the king block (think 8-ball). If the king block is knocked over in any way before the right time, that team loses.
- The extra element of the game is that after each baton toss, the opposing team picks up any knocked over blocks and must toss them from their line of scrimmage to the other half of the field and attack these blocks before going after the opposing goal line.
- Always toss batons and knocked over blocks from the standing block closest to the 50-yd line. Usually this is just your goal line but if the other team messes up, this could be further up field.
If you’re a little confused check out the official World Championship Kubb Rule Book. I have yet to find a person who has tried Kubb and not loved it, so find a way to try today.
Where to Get Kubb
The great thing about Kubb is that you can make it yourself in 15 minutes. Based on the advice of a good friend, I recommend going up to your local home improvement store (e.g. Home Depot) to purchase the following. Most stores will provide the cuts for free or at a low cost.
- An 8 foot 4×4 fence post with some type of styled top. Cut 10 blocks that are 8in in length starting at the bottom. This will leave you with a 16in piece with the styled top which can be the king block.
- 2 round dowels (wooden poles) each a yard in length. Cut the 2 dowels into 1 foot batons so that you have 6 batons. I recommend using 1.25in diameter oak wood dowels to keep these as heavy as possible so they can knock over the blocks.
- You can also consider purchasing 4 stakes to mark the boundaries of your field.
Altogether, this should cost $20-25. Alternatively, you can purchase Kubb online for $60-80.
Activity C.L.U.B. Ratings
Community
10 – With room for 12, this game allows any group to enjoy a nice day outside.
Low Cost
8 – Although the game can get unreasonably expensive when buying online, ten minutes in a home improvement store makes the cost of this game a great deal.
Underrated
9 – It’s one of those games you have to see to believe so most people are skeptical before trying. Everyone ends up loving the game, so I won’t be surprised to see this on ESPN2 before long.
Beneficial
7 – Throwing sticks may not be the most physically challenging sport but at least it gets you outside.
For more great lawn games, check out the Wikipedia Lawn Games page.
