Backyard Putting Games to Play With Your Kids

You don’t need a full disc golf course to spark your kids’ love for the game—just a backyard, a basket (or a target), and a couple of kid-friendly discs. Try these fun, fast games to keep them smiling, moving, and secretly getting better at putting.

1) The Ring of Fire

Set up your basket and mark a circle around it with chalk, cones, or rope. Each player stands on the ring and takes turns putting. Make it? Step back a foot. Last player standing wins.

Kid-friendly twist: Use two or three rings with different point values so younger kids can score from closer spots.

2) Around the World

Place 6–8 mini marker discs down to create throwing spots in a circle around the basket. Players must make a putt from each spot in order. Miss one? Retry that same spot before moving on.

Pro tip: Give closer stations higher points for younger players to keep motivation high.

3) Putt HORSE (spell “DISC”)

Just like basketball HORSE. One player calls the shot (distance, stance, a mini trick). If they make it, everyone else has to match it. Miss and you earn a letter. First to spell “DISC” loses.

4) Treasure Hunt Putting

Hide small “treasures” (stickers, tiny toys, or snack coupons) in a bucket by the basket. Every made putt earns a reach into the treasure bucket.

5) Knockout Putt

Everyone lines up. Player 1 putts—if they make it, they sprint to grab their disc while Player 2 tries to sink theirs before Player 1 gets back in line. If Player 2 makes it first, Player 1 is “knocked out.”

Family-friendly adjustment: Instead of getting “out,” a player just loses a point or moves to the end of the line.

6) Obstacle Course Putt

Build a mini course with lawn chairs, pool noodles, buckets, or hula hoops to force curve shots and creative lines. Kids love weird challenges—and they learn touch and angles fast.

Why These Games Work

Short turns, simple rules, and instant wins keep attention spans happy. Every game sneaks in real skills—stance, aim, touch, and confidence—without the “drill” vibe. Mix in silliness, celebrate small wins, and quit while the fun is at its peak.