Ladder toss has very simple rules, but anyone looking to be a little more competitive will be able to find ways to get an edge over other players.
The origins of ladder toss aren’t documented well, but it was originally discovered in campgrounds in the 1990s, and it was likely that the sport originated from such locations. Since then, the sport has seen success in many different homes, as it’s something anyone can pick up with no experience or expertise required.
Despite the simple look, ladder toss is pretty in-depth once you learn about new skills and strategies you can use. If you’re interested, take a look at this list of our favorite ladder toss game sets of 2025, and a handy buyer’s guide to help you select the right one for you.
Plastic is cheap, lightweight, and durable for its density, making it a decent material for use in parties and backyards, but there are some major environmental issues with using plastic, and the structure can feel a little too flimsy and cheap depending on the manufacturer. Thankfully, with the GoSports Metal Ladder, you won’t need to worry about any of that.
This fantastic set is sturdy and dense so it won’t easily topple over from the bolas wrapping around each level. It will also last much longer than other versions, and it’s very likely that you’ll be using the same metal ladder for years to come if you keep it stored safely and use it as intended. The set comes with the standard two sets of three bolas, and will keep you and your guests entertained at any event.
Ladder toss is a classic outdoor game, but what if you supersized it? This solid ladder toss set is available in two sizes, standard size and GIANT size. Standard size is the size that many of you are already familiar with, about the same size as most other ladder toss sets. The giant size, on the other hand, makes ladder toss feel a lot more impactful and higher-stakes, simply because everything’s that much larger!
Just because it’s larger doesn’t mean you can’t carry it around, however. The lightweight PVC ladders come in sets of two, one for each side, and both sizes fit in an accompanying carrying bag. You can set up the ladders in a matter of minutes, and you’ll be playing in no time. Overall, these ladders are a solid choice, especially if you want to go for something a little bigger than what you’re used to, or are having fun at a mostly adult gathering.
You’ve probably seen Amazon Basics products when looking for items such as surge protectors, space heaters, even oat bars, but they also sell fairly niche products like ladder toss game sets. This simple game set definitely lives up to its “basic” namesake, but ladder toss is a fairly straightforward game, so the simplicity of these products might actually work to your advantage during your product search.
The ladders are color-coded, giving you an easy way to determine which side you’re on. The entire set also fits in this nice and simple black carrying bag, which is easy to carry around thanks to the straps. The ladders are made out of PVC, which is pretty standard for ladder toss, and the quality is solid, so while it’s not the cheapest game set on this list, you can’t go wrong with the value in buying this set.
This next ladder toss game set is designed for players who want to be a little more serious when playing ladder toss. Ladder toss isn’t a game that has widespread major leagues like baseball or golf, but there are many people who love the game, and there’s a good amount of them who play it competitively for hours on end. If you really like ladder toss and want to take your game to the next level, then you can’t go wrong with this set.
The ladders in this set are identical, though you can arrange the colors of the rungs to your liking. There are also two sets of well-made bolas for easy identification. Finally, the entire set fits in an included and highly portable pouch that you can sling over your back, so you can keep your hands free for things like your smartphone or anything else. There’s even a pro version that’s sturdier, with numbered rungs, and a sleeker design for those ultra-competitive folk.
Finally, let’s take a look at a ladder design that’s a bit more traditional. Ladder toss originated as a campgrounds game, and there’s a good chance that the first-ever game of ladder toss was done on wooden rungs. If you want to emulate that old-school experience, or if you simply want to use wood instead of plastic or steel, this set has you covered. It contains a pair of wooden ladders and bolas sets that you can use for a nostalgic outdoor game of ladder toss.
Like their plastic and steel counterparts, the wooden ladders can be disassembled and reassembled whenever you want. The parts fit neatly inside a provided storage bag, too. And while the rungs are color-coded, the ladder mostly showcases its natural wooden texture, which is great if you’re a fan of that sort of design. The manufacturers of this product also offer a full refund if you aren’t satisfied, so you can try this set out for yourself without worry.
If you want to try out ladder toss, then you’ll need to learn the basics and choose your own set for home use. Here’s what you need to know about this fun party and backyard game.
Ladder toss is a game that involves throwing bolas onto rungs of a ladder positioned at a set distance away from the thrower. The goal is to reach a score of 21 points, with scores tallied based on whether or not you land the bolas on the rungs associated with certain point values.
Not sure how ladder toss works? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a brief rundown on ladder toss to get you started:
There are a few things you’ll need to do before you begin playing ladder toss. Firstly, you’ll need to assemble the ladders if you haven’t done so already. Then, you’ll want to position the ladders 15 feet apart from one another on flat ground, with the ladders facing each other. While 15 feet is the standard distance, you can set it to be shorter or farther depending on who’s playing.
Unlike other party games, ladder toss can be played by either two or four players. In the case of a two-player game, the two players will be standing on the same side at all times, moving from one side to another as necessary. For a four-player game, each side will contain one person from either team, resulting in both teams occupying both sides of the play area. It works similarly to cornhole, another staple of backyard games.
Ladder toss works on a round-based system, and points are counted at the end of each round. At the beginning of the first round, one team or player throws all three bolas onto the ladder on the other side. Once all three bolas have been thrown, the other team proceeds to throw their own three bolas. After the second player finishes throwing their own bolas, the scores are tallied and the players move to the second round. This continues until either team reaches exactly 21 points.
The scores are tallied based on which rung a bola rests on – the bottom rung awards one point, the middle awards two, and the top rung awards three. There is also an optional rule wherein you can award an extra point to a team or player if all three bolas are on the same rung or on each separate rung at the end of the round, though you don’t have to apply this rule.
The game ends when one team reaches exactly 21 points, and only 21. If the team or player scores beyond 21 at the end of the round, the points are not counted. Should a tie occur at the end of the round with both teams scoring 21, then more rounds are played until one team scores two more points over the other team at the end of a round. The team with the higher score, in this case, wins the game.
At the end of each round, players are required to move to the other side of the field and throw from the opposite side. In four-player matches, you and your teammate will alternate throwing from round to round, and you won’t have to move away from your side of the ladder. The team or player that scored the most points ends up throwing first, allowing for the other team or player to catch up, perhaps by knocking away their opponent’s bolas.
When throwing the bolas, you are not allowed to plant your feet beyond the ladder beside you. In other words, the nearer ladder acts as a line that you cannot cross while throwing. It’s also worth noting that you can knock off the opposing team’s bolas as the scores are only tallied at the end of the round.
This is especially important if you’re playing indoors. Many bolas sets are made out of soft rubber, so they won’t easily break glass or damage tiles and the like, but they can still knock over pottery, fine china, and picture frames. You either need to play outside or keep all indoor fragile items away from the play area.
Remember, ladder toss is a game to be played for fun, and win or lose, it’s important to show respect to the opposing team or player. It may be frustrating to lose, but try not to let it get to your head, and don’t be an annoying winner, either!
Ladder toss uses soft rubber bolas, so they won’t easily damage glass or tiles, but they can still knock over items, so be careful when playing indoors.
The standard distance between ladders in ladder toss is 15 feet, though you can adjust this based on the capabilities of the players.
The invention of ladder toss isn’t attributed to a single person. Rather, it was discovered as a game played in campgrounds in the 1990s and has since become a popular backyard game.