Best Croquet Sets for Families

Summer activities are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with the family. Whether it’s in your own backyard, at the cabin, or during a family get together games like croquet are a great way to pass the time and bring everyone together. Here are some of the best croquet sets for families to start off the summer right.

Croquet is such a good family sport because it’s easy enough for everyone to play. Young kids can understand the concept easily (get the ball through the hole) and grandparents don’t have to worry about being left out of rigorous activities. 

Easy to set up, you change the difficulty based on how you arrange the wickets. That means designing the course is totally up to you! 

What Comes in a Croquet Set?

It will vary by set to set, but in order to play croquet you’ll need a few things. First is the wooden mallets. Although you can pass them from one player to another, it’s better if everyone has their own. Typically, mallets are colour coded to each player’s ball.

Speaking of, a croquet set should also have a ball for every player. They need to be distinguished from one other. Usually that’s done with different colours or designs. The number of mallets and balls you get in a set will determine how many players there can be in your game.

To set up the course, a croquet set comes with nine steel wickets. These are small arches that get pushed into the ground that make up the course. You’ll also need two wooden stakes.

How to Set up a Croquet Course

A standard croquet course is set up as follows: Two wickets in a straight row, then two branching parallel wickets, then another single wicket in the middle, followed by another parallel pair, and finally two more middle wickets in a straight row. 

Then a stake is placed on each end of the course just past the first and last wickets.

When you play, you’ll pass through the middle wickets, then the left one, the next middle one, the left again, and the final two in the middle. Once you hit the wooden stake, play reverses and you’ll head down your new left (the original right) until you’ve repeated the course and hit the other wooden stake.

Of course, this is just one example of a croquet course. Although the premise is always the same, (move through the course, hit the stake, then go back) you can arrange the wickets as easy or difficult as you’d like.

Tips for Playing Croquet With Your Family

Playing with the family usually means you have a variety of ages and skill levels. Since croquet can be somewhat challenging despite its simple appearance it’s important to make sure everyone is having fun. 

If younger kids are playing, partner them up with an adult and take turns hitting the ball. That way everyone can play but you’ll still make progress.

Another tip is to give less experienced players more leeway with their shots and allow them to practice or redo accidents. 

When setting up the family croquet game, don’t forget to keep everyone’s level of mobility in mind. Keep the course clear of obstacles other than the wickets. Also make sure there’s places to sit down between turns!

Finally, consider picking up two sets of mallets in different lengths. Kids might have a tough time playing with the longer mallets, but shorter options are a hassle for adults to use. That way everyone can pick what works best for them!

The Best Croquet Sets for Families Reviewed

OK, enough convincing you to pick up a croquet set for your family; here’s my top picks for the best options to consider.

Although it comes with a slightly higher price tag than some of the other croquet sets for families, this one has extra features that make it worth it. 

The length of the mallet is good for older kids, but not too short for adults to use too. 

If you’re looking for a croquet set to play with mostly adult members of a family, this is it.

The best part, though, is that there are several options so you can choose how many players and what length handles work best for your family.

This is also the only set on this list that is made for up to 8 players.

What Are the Best Croquet Sets for Families?

Choosing the best croquet set for your family can be a challenge. The three most important things you should consider is how often you’ll play (this will determine the quality that you need), how long the mallets need to be, and what your budget is.

If you’re only buying for an event, like a party or family reunion, a couple of less expensive sets like the RAPODA set might be a better option. It’s probably not going to last years but it is more budget friendly for folks who aren’t committed to croquet playing.

For families with younger players, I suggest getting something that’s more kid-friendly like the YULA or the Hathaway sets. The shorter mallets are easier for kids to maneuver, which means they’ll have more fun playing.

As for the best croquet sets for families, though, it’s really a tough call. While the Amish-crafted and Franklin Sports sets are nice because they have stands, you just can’t beat the quality of the Oakley Woods set. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Croquet Sets for Families

Although it’s a bit pricier, the Oakley Woods croquet set is built to last. Not only will it tolerate game after game, it’s also designed to withstand “extreme” croquet that has jumps, hazards, and other challenges. 

While it’s not the best set for young kids you’ll end up with more longevity using the longer mallets. No more hurting your back bending over – which is great for taller players. 

Most croquet sets in my experience struggle with longevity. This one of the only ones that I’ve seen that can truly stand up to frequent games with family and friends. 

Regardless of which croquet sets for families you choose, though, remember that what’s most important is that you’re making those core family memories together.

Whether you’re enjoying a backyard game with young kids, a birthday party with adult children, or you plan on playing on vacation, croquet is a great way for everyone to do something together.