There’s nothing better than getting out and getting fit in the summer sun. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many people from accessing sports pitches and communal sports areas over the last year, and depending on where you live, this could still be the case this summer….
Rather than miss out on a summer of sporting fun for a second year in a row, get prepared and make the most of your garden as a sports pitch, even if you only have a small outdoor space to work with. We’ve put together a list of the best garden sports you can play or enjoy even in the most compact of settings. Here they are; our 5 of the best summer sports to play in a small garden.
CROQUET
Nothing says quintessential British summer quite like a game of croquet and a glass of Pimm’s. We say quintessentially British, but it’s believed that the game actually originated in France or Ireland. Nonetheless…
For those with a lawn, croquet could provide you with all the entertainment you need to make your summer soiree stand out from the rest. With some music in the background, a buffet of good food and some delicious drinks to hand, you’ll find yourself with the perfect backdrop to a friendly game of croquet. Now that sounds like the ideal summer garden party to us!
This is also a great choice for those who are otherwise not sporty as it’s not so physically taxing. All you need for a casual game is a mallet, six hoops, coloured balls and a peg. Using the mallet, players simply take it in turns to hit the balls through the six hoops in order, before aiming their ball for the ‘centre peg’ to win the game.
BOULES
The game of boules, otherwise known as pétanque, is the ideal summer garden game. As Mike Pegg, the then president of the English Pétanque Association, tells the Guardian ‘’it’s exceptionally sociable yet tremendously competitive. You can play it on any reasonably level patch of bare hard ground; you don’t need a manicured lawn”.
A boules set consists of a case of eight metal, hollow pétanque balls with markings to denote each team, and a ‘jack’, which is a smaller coloured ball. Simply put, the aim of the game is to throw the ball as close to the jack as possible, though there’s a real art to the throwing technique itself.
GARDEN CRICKET
A game of garden cricket involves smaller, softer versions of the traditional bat, ball and wickets required for this iconic sport, enabling the little ones to hit a four or a six without smashing a window in the process!
Some conscientious homeowners might consider investing in a cricket catcher – essentially a large net behind the bowler which balls are hit into – to mitigate the danger to property involved in a rogue, ambitious lofted straight drive. Now, all you have to worry about is protecting yourself!
SWINGBALL
Not everyone has a tennis court sized garden, and those who do might not necessarily want a Rusedski-speed serve aimed towards their house!
Despite this, tennis is unarguably fun to play and is synonymous with the summer months, making it a staple sport for the season. If you want to enjoy all the fun of practicing your forehand, backhand and serve but you only have a small garden space to work with, then why not opt for swingball instead?
It requires very little room, with just a top Babolat tennis racket in hand and the ball attached to a piece of rope, meaning you don’t need to worry about broken glass or a sore head should you get bumped with it. Both children and adults can enjoy a game of swingball, making it universally fun for everyone.
TRAMPOLINING
If you’re looking for a more cardio based summer garden sport to indulge in this year, but space is tight and doing laps of your garden just isn’t an option, then why not consider a trampoline?
Having a daily bounce will get your heart rate pumping, burn some fat and – best of all – evoke a smile and some laughs along the way. The whole family can get involved in trampolining, but you don’t need children to join in with the fun! That’s what makes this a great garden sport – everyone can enjoy it and it can be as intensive or as amateur as you’d like!
Now the sun’s come out, fancy a game?
While you’re with us, it’s essential that you take the necessary precautions to protect your skin if you’re spending long periods playing games in your garden. Check out these 5 tips for protecting your skin when exercising outside.