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The shortlist Our top skittles picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|
| Yard Games Giant Wooden Skittles Lawn Set | Best Lawn Set | 90 | Check Price |
| Devil Among the Tailors Table Skittles Game | Best Table Skittles | 88 | Check Price |
| Hey! Play! Wooden Lawn Bowling and Skittles Set | Best for Families | 84 | Check Price |
| GoSports Wooden Lawn Skittles Game Set | Best Budget | 84 | Check Price |
MVP Pick
90 Best Lawn Set
Yard Games Giant Wooden Skittles Lawn Set
Pros - Full set of nine wooden pins plus balls for the classic lawn game
- Pins are weighty enough to reward a real roll, not just a lob
- Includes a carrying bag to keep the pins and balls together
Watch for - Wooden pins should be brought in rather than left out in the rain
- Heavier pins are more than the youngest kids can easily knock down
Who it's for This is the pick for the traditional outdoor nine-pin game on the lawn, and families with very young kids may prefer a lighter set.
88 Best Table Skittles
Devil Among the Tailors Table Skittles Game
Pros - Authentic indoor pub game with a ball that swings on a chain
- Solid wooden base and pins for a satisfying, traditional feel
- No outdoor space needed, so it plays year round
Watch for - Cheaper versions can feel rattly and tip during a hard swing
- A niche pub game that not everyone will recognize at first
Who it's for This is the one for the classic indoor pub experience with the swinging ball, and folks set on an outdoor game should look at the lawn set instead.
84 Best for Families
Hey! Play! Wooden Lawn Bowling and Skittles Set
Pros - Approachable, lighter pins that kids can knock down easily
- Doubles as a casual lawn bowling set for flexible play
- Comes with a mesh bag for fast cleanup
Watch for - Lighter pins tip on their own in a breeze or on uneven grass
- Often a ten-pin bowling layout rather than the traditional nine-pin diamond
Who it's for This suits mixed-age backyard play where easy knockdowns keep kids happy, and purists who want a true nine-pin diamond should check the pin count first.
84 Best Budget
GoSports Wooden Lawn Skittles Game Set
Pros - Affordable entry into outdoor skittles
- Includes pins and balls so you can play right away
- From a brand with a solid reputation for value yard games
Watch for - Lighter wood is less durable than premium hardwood pins
- Finish can scuff quickly with regular outdoor knocks
Who it's for This is the cheap way to try outdoor skittles with the family, and regular players will want a heavier, more durable set before long.
From the commissioner How to choose a skittles set
- Decide first whether you want table skittles or lawn skittles, because they are different games. Table skittles, often sold as devil among the tailors, is a compact board game where a ball swings on a chain or string around a post to knock down a tight diamond of nine pins. Lawn skittles is an outdoor set of nine larger pins and a ball or two that you roll down a grass lane. Buying the wrong one is the most common mistake here.
- For lawn skittles, look at the pin wood and weight. Solid hardwood pins stand up to repeated knocks and stay put in a breeze, while thin or hollow pins tip over on their own and crack sooner. A good set includes nine pins plus two or three balls and ideally a carry bag, since loose pins are a pain to corral. Heavier pins also reward a real roll instead of a lucky lob.
- For table skittles, the cabinet and the chain matter most. A solid wooden base with a smoothly swinging ball on a sturdy chain or cord is what you are paying for, and the cheap versions feel rattly and tip during an aggressive swing. Check that the pins seat firmly in their holes so they do not fall from a hard table bump. This is a heirloom-style purchase when it is done well.
- Watch out for sets that blur into ten-pin bowling. A lot of garden 'skittles' sets are really ten-pin lawn bowling kits in disguise, with ten pins and sometimes printed numbers. That is fine if bowling is what you want, but it is not traditional nine-pin skittles. If you specifically want the classic diamond of nine, read the count and the layout in the listing.
- Think about who is playing and where. For young kids and a small yard, a lighter plastic or softwood nine-pin set is forgiving and safe, and you can shorten the lane. For adults who want the real pub feel indoors, the table version delivers it without needing any space outside. Matching the set to the setting keeps it from gathering dust in the closet.
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Buyer's desk Skittles buying FAQ
What is the difference between table skittles and lawn skittles?
Table skittles, often called devil among the tailors, is an indoor board game where a ball swings on a chain around a post to topple a small diamond of nine pins. Lawn skittles is an outdoor game where you roll a ball down a grass lane at nine larger standing pins. They share the nine-pin idea but are otherwise very different to buy and play.
Is a skittles set the same as lawn bowling?
Not quite. Traditional skittles uses nine pins in a diamond, while lawn bowling sets usually have ten pins like ten-pin bowling, sometimes numbered. Many garden sets are sold as both, which works fine for casual play, but if you specifically want classic nine-pin skittles, check that the set has nine pins.
How many pins come in a skittles set?
A traditional skittles set has nine pins, which is why the game is also called nine-pin. Most sets also include two or three balls. Some modern garden sets ship ten pins to double as a bowling kit, so read the listing if the classic nine is what you are after.
Is skittles a good game for kids?
Yes, it is simple, active, and easy to score, which makes it a great family lawn game. For young children, pick a lighter set and shorten the bowling lane so they can topple the pins. The lighter family sets are more forgiving than heavy hardwood pins for small hands.
