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Backyard Sports
Backyard Sports Delivery or Pickup
About backyard sports
Backyard sports make outdoor activity exciting and accessible to nearly anyone. If you're anxious to get outdoors and soak up the sun, there are plenty of athletic options that can make your time outdoors more entertaining. Through Instacart, you can order nearly anything you need to add some backyard sports to your summer vacation, Labor Day barbecue, family reunion, or regular weekend plans.
Backyard sports to play
Backyard sports are a broad category that can encompass nearly any type of outdoor game that features two or more people. You don't need a whole team, or even an organized event, to enjoy backyard sports. Simply grab some equipment, outline the rules, and get playing! The best part of backyard sports is the flexibility. You can change the number of bases, the bounds of the strike zone, the players on a team, and the points in a play as often as your teammates allow.
If you're looking for engaging ideas for backyard sports, consider some of these popular options:
- Cornhole: A Midwestern favorite, this simple game is about tossing small bags filled with dried corn into the hole in a wooden platform.
- Capture the Flag: This game requires nothing more than a flag, or another similar object, that each team hides on their side while their opponents try to steal it.
- Wiffle ball: A flexible alternative to baseball, this game makes it easier to adjust the rules and adds the intrigue of a perforated ball that curves easily, but doesn't travel long distances.
- Pickle: You need just one ball, two bases, and three people for this simplified take on baseball where everyone is either a thrower or a runner.
- Flip Toss: Among the simplest backyard sports, this game requires two special scoops for catching and flipping, and one ball that you toss back and forth.
Preparing for backyard sports
While you may want to put some time and preparation in backyard sports for a special gathering, these types of games typically require very little work. Simply have the appropriate equipment on hand and backyard games have a way of evolving on their own.
In addition to sporting equipment for your chosen games, you may also want to stock up on a few other outdoor essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, and bottled water. You can order all this and more through Instacart, so you don't have to make a trip to the store.
Backyard Sports Near Me
Buy your favorite Backyard Sports online with Instacart. Order Basketball Hoops, Sports Nets, Sports Goals, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
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FAQs about backyard sports
The amount of space that you need for backyard sports depends largely on the type of activity that you're involved in. You can set up a potato sack or three-legged race with little more than a stretch of driveway or sidewalk. Ideally, cornhole targets are placed 27 feet apart. For a game of wiffle ball or pickle, you'll generally want a playing field that's at least 20x60ft.
If you have access to a park, you can move your backyard games out of your yard and into another space. However, if you do have a yard, you can almost certainly find a game that works within the confines of your available space. Simply assess what's available to you and gear your activities toward suitable options.
For casual backyard sports, you will rarely need a court. The appeal of most of these games is the simplicity. You can play backyard sports on a playground, in a patch of grass, or across a large field. Backyard sports are nearly always designed for flexibility in the equipment, the playing field, and the rules.
If you're landscaping your yard with the intention of optimizing it for backyard sports, consider the type of sports that you like to play most. For a play yard with playground equipment, loose-fill covers like wood fiber or shredded rubber are often the best and safest option.
If you prefer a grassy lawn, choose a hardy grass like Zoysia, Kentucky Bluegrass, or Bermuda grass, that can stand up to a lot of foot traffic. Hard surfaces like asphalt are good for sports like basketball, but they have less flexibility.
The equipment that you use for backyard sports can be as specialized or as simple as you'd like. Some games, like cornhole, do require a fairly specific set of items. For whiffle ball, you need the signature whiffle-style ball, but you can use nearly any type of stick or bat. A flip toss set is an affordable backyard game that includes just two scoops and a small lightweight ball.
If you're interested in versatility, you may simply choose to stock up on balls of various materials and sizes for your backyard games. You can do a great deal with little more than a kickable ball. While it's fun to engage in time-tested games that everyone is familiar with, you'll often have just as much fun inventing a simple game of your own.
As with any outdoor activity, there are a few safety considerations that you should think about when you're getting ready to play. Always wear sunscreen when you're playing outdoors. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply every two hours. If you can landscape your yard to provide convenient shade under a tree, awning, or pergola, this can provide welcome relief from the sun.
Hydration is another key consideration for backyard sports. Make sure everyone is drinking plenty of water while you're outside and active. Sports drinks like Gatorade can help you replenish lost electrolytes when you're active as well. You can stock up on both through Instacart.
Finally, check the area that you're playing in for potential hazards like rocks, fallen branches, and holes. Maintaining a playing field that's as clear and level as possible can help you avoid injuries.
You can conveniently order everything you need for an afternoon or weekend full of backyard sports through Instacart. Set up your account now.