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Airmail ladder race cornhole game

Throw from 3 agreed distances and score only clean hole shots. First player to clear every distance wins.

Read the setup, copy the rules to your group, and start playing. STUD mode is optional.

Read the rules More Yard Games ideas

Airmail ladder race cornhole game
Yard Games Board / Yard Games / Play idea

Play idea Cornhole + Bags

Quick setup

Airmail Ladder Race

Players 2-8
Time 15-40 min
Gear Yard Games
Best for Cornhole + Bags
Mode main game mode
STUD Optional

How to play

  1. 1Mark three throwing distances that fit the group and space.
  2. 2Every player starts at the closest distance.
  3. 3Players throw one bag per turn and score only clean hole shots.
  4. 4A clean airmail moves the player to the next distance.
  5. 5Misses keep the player at the same distance; missing every bag in a round moves them back one step if the group wants pressure.
  6. 6First player to make a clean hole shot from all three distances wins.

Send to the group

QR code for Airmail ladder race cornhole game

Scan this with another phone to open the same activity page. Copy or share still works if the QR image is blocked.

Play tools

Round timer

15:00

Quick scoreboard

Team A0
Team B0
Round scoreUse as needed

Scoring options

  • 1Race mode: first player to clear every distance wins.
  • 2Points mode: closest distance = 1, middle = 2, far = 3; highest total after 10 throws wins.
  • 3Team mode: partners alternate throws and share one ladder position.

Variations

Make it easier

Count any bag in the hole as a make while newer players learn the distances.

Make it harder

Require the final distance to be cleared twice before the player wins.

Optional setup

Use this as the main activity from Yard Games Board. Play for points, bragging rights, or simple rotation first. STUD mode is optional and the activity works without it.

Why it works

It gives cornhole a simple progression, so every throw has a visible next target.

Safety / fair play

Use a safe space, avoid hard contact or unsafe surfaces, adjust for age and skill, and agree on close calls before the round starts.

More from Yard Games Board

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Play idea Cornhole + Bags

Bags Cancellation Sprint

Play 6 short cornhole frames with cancellation scoring. Highest net frame total wins.

Final frame requires each side to call one board zone before throwing.

Play idea Cornhole + Bags

Partner Switch Bags

Play mini-games to 7, then winners split and pick new partners. Best individual record after four games wins.

Last game uses blind-draw partners.

Play idea Cornhole + Bags

Around-the-Board Bags

Hit board, left half, right half, and hole in order. First player to clear the ladder wins.

The final hole must be called before the toss.

Play idea Cornhole + Bags

Knock-Off Bags

Score only bags that push an opponent bag off the board or into the hole. First to 11 wins.

A pushed-in opponent bag cancels one of your points.

More shareable game modes