Cornhole is a game that dates back to 14th century Germany and was rediscovered in the hills of Kentucky and Ohio about 100 years ago, according to the American Cornhole Association. Ohio has especially seen a resurgence in Cornhole teams and tournaments.
This game is very similar to the bean bag toss you often see at carnivals, except the platform with the hole is laid on the ground at a slightly raised angle. The game is also known as Corn Toss, Bean Bag, Bean Toss, Soft Horseshoes, and Indiana Horseshoes.
Learn the Rules of the Cornhole Game
- There are two teams for each game, identified by the color of the bean bags.
- Both teams take turns trying to toss the bean bags into the hole on the platform from a specified distance, designated by tape or chalk.
- A bean bag in the hole gets 3 points; a bean bag on the platform gets 1 point. The winning team reaches 21 points or more first.
- Several teams can play each other tournament-style to win a grand prize.
What you will need:
- Scrap cloth in two different colors
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Empty cardboard box and scrap cardboard
- Polyester stuffing or dried beans
- Pencil/pen
- Plastic coffee can lid
- Exacto-knife
Directions:
- To make the bean bags, simply sew two squares of cloth together as you would a small pillow. Stuff with polyester stuffing or dried beans. Make 8 bean bags (4 in each color). The bags should all be approximately the same size, about 3- to 4-inches wide.
- To construct the platform, simply trace a circle on one end of the box using a coffee can lid. Cut the circle out with an exacto-knife.
- Use pieces of scrap cardboard to lift the platform up on an angle under the side with the hole.
Remember to leave one end of the box open so you can retrieve the bean bags/pillows easily once the game is over.
What Is Real Cornhole Like?
Professional-grade bean bags are made of duck skin canvas and are filled with dried corn. The true distance for adults from the line to the platform is 30 feet; for juniors it is 21 feet. However, children who are new to this game should play much closer to the platform.
The American Cornhole Association offers more guidance, such as official rules and places to buy professional Corn hole merchandise.
Platforms are typically made out of wood. But this craft is simple and easy to make, and the cardboard can even be decorated by youngsters. It is also green since you are recycling ordinary household items.
Veronica Ditko - Veronica Ditko has been a journalist for more than a decade. After graduating with a Bachelor's in Psychology and Anthropology, she ...
