Get the family outdoors with a classic game of croquet! This centuries-old garden game is easy for kids to learn and fun for grown-ups to join in with. How to play croquet is simple. Using a croquet mallet, you simply hit your ball through a series of hoops and the first to finish the course wins!
If you’d like to teach your little ones how to play, we’ve created a quick guide to help you get started, from your croquet set up to taking that all-important first shot.
How to play croquet for kids?
The basic rules of croquet are very easy for kids to understand - the aim is to hit your ball through the hoops and be the first to reach the finish! Follow these step-by-step instructions to teach your kids the croquet rules.
How do you play croquet in 5 easy steps?
1. Set up your course: Place the hoops around the garden, leaving plenty of space between each one.
2. Get your equipment ready: Hand out a ball and a mallet to each player.
3. Take your first shot: Place your ball on the starting point, hold the mallet with two hands, aim for the hoop, and take a gentle swing to see how close you can get.
4. Take turns: Once you’ve taken one shot, it’s the next player’s turn! Continue taking turns and working your way around the course.
5. Reach the finish: The first player to get their ball through all the hoops wins!
Is croquet fun for kids?
Croquet is great fun for kids! It’s easy to learn and a fantastic way to spend time together as a family. Children love outdoor play, and games like croquet give them something to enjoy and focus on while they’re spending time outside.
It’s also amazing for their development. As kids practise hitting their ball and aiming for each hoop, they’ll be improving their hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, concentration, patience, and perseverance. Taking turns with siblings, friends, or family members also adds a social element, enhancing their interpersonal skills and communication.
[Image source: Bryce Carithers]
What age is croquet good for?
Toddlers as young as three years old can enjoy a game of croquet, provided they’re using an age-appropriate children’s croquet set and playing alongside a grown-up. At this age, kids can start getting to grips with the basics, such as holding a mallet, hitting a ball, and aiming towards a target.
But keep things simple for younger players - a short course with a few hoops is enough to engage and excite little ones! As your children grow, you can introduce more hoops, longer courses, and extra rules to make their croquet game more challenging.
What is the best croquet set for kids?
The best croquet sets for kids are those that are easy to use, child-friendly, and quick to set up. Look for a set with child-size mallets and balls that youngsters can comfortably hold and throw. It’s also worth finding a set that’s transportable, so you can enjoy a fun family activity on the go.
Jungle Croquet Set
Go wild with our Jungle Croquet set! A playful twist on traditional croquet, this adorable animal set features four wildlife-themed hoops, including a lion, giraffe, zebra, and elephant, plus two small wooden mallets and two coloured balls. Roarsome little players can practise their aiming and swinging skills as they make their way around the course, admiring the cute animal characters along the way!
Made from premium quality, sustainably sourced wood, this Jungle Croquet game is designed for indoor or outdoor play. It also comes with a drawstring storage bag, so you can take it to the park or pack it up for a family day out. Suitable for 3+ year olds.