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know the game
Yard Dice, in one breath
Yard dice uses five or six oversized wooden dice for games such as Yardzee and Farkle. Players roll into a circle or bag-lid tray, chase combinations, and tally the result on a scorecard.
The shortlist
Our top yard dice picks at a glance
These are ordered by what you are shopping for, not by score. The
number rates each set on build and play quality on its own, so a specialist pick like
the tournament set or the premium wood can out-score the all-round winner and still not
be the one most people should buy. The highest score on the page takes the MVP ribbon.
MVP Pick 93 Best Overall
Pros - Dense hardwood dice shrug off hard rolls on pavement
- Square-cut, smooth finish keeps the pips easy to read
- Heavy canvas bag outlasts flimsy drawstrings on cheaper kits
Watch for - Farkle players should confirm the listing includes six dice before buying
- Like any wood set, the finish can weather if it is stored outside
Who it's for This is the durability sweet spot for most yards: dense, square-cut hardwood dice with a smooth finish and a heavy canvas bag, and Farkle players should verify the dice count before buying.
91 Best Premium
Pros - Denser, well-finished wood that holds its edges and pips
- Includes a carrying bag that doubles as a rolling tray
- Crisp painted pips that stay readable across the lawn
Watch for - Costs more than the entry-level pine sets
- Heavier dice are a touch much for very young kids to roll
Who it's for Step up to this if you want a set that survives patios and years of use, and a casual once-a-summer player can spend less.
89 Best for Farkle
Pros - From a well-known yard-games brand with consistent quality
- Chunky dice that read clearly and roll predictably
- Includes a bag for easy storage and transport
Watch for - Confirm the die count before buying if you specifically need six for Farkle
- Painted pips can scuff if rolled repeatedly on concrete
Who it's for A great all-rounder from a reliable brand, and the right pick if you can grab the six-die version so Farkle and Yardzee both work out of the box.
84 Best Budget
Pros - The cheapest way to try giant dice games
- Usually includes a canvas drawstring bag
- Light enough for kids to roll easily
Watch for - Softer pine dents and rounds at the corners faster than hardwood
- Printed or lightly painted pips can wear with heavy use
Who it's for This is the low-risk way to find out if your crew loves Yardzee and Farkle, and regular players will want to graduate to a harder wood set before long.
From the commissioner
How to choose a yard dice set
- Die size and count drive everything. The classic giant dice are about 3.5 inches per side, big enough to read from a lawn chair and heavy enough to land flat. For game flexibility, count matters too: Yardzee needs five dice and Farkle needs six, so a six-die set lets you play both without improvising. Most sets sell as five dice, so check before you assume.
- Hardwood beats soft pine. The cheapest sets use light pine that dents, splinters, and rounds at the corners after a season of being tossed into a bag. Denser hardwood like pine-free birch, acacia, or kiln-dried hardwood holds its edges and its painted pips far longer. If you plan to leave the set in the garage and use it for years, the harder wood is worth the step up.
- Look for a scorecard and a carry bag. The whole appeal of yard dice is grabbing it and playing, so a set that includes a reusable or printable Yardzee and Farkle scorecard saves you a search. A drawstring canvas bag does double duty as storage and as a rolling tray you dump the dice into, which keeps them from scattering across the grass. Sets without a bag mean you are tracking down six wandering dice in the lawn.
- Check that the pips are engraved or deeply painted. Surface-printed dots wear off fast when dice tumble on concrete or gravel. Engraved or routed pips that are then painted hold up much better and stay readable. This is a small detail that separates a set you replace next summer from one that lasts.
- Match the set to where you will play. If it is mostly grass, almost any set works. If you will roll on a patio or driveway, the harder, better-finished dice survive the harder surface far better, and a containing tray or bag matters even more so a die does not bounce off the deck. For travel and camping, a lighter set in a compact bag is easier to pack, even if it trades a little durability.
next up Build the whole roster
Outfitting a party or a whole backyard? Grab the bundle and save a trip, or see how yard dice stacks up against the rest.
Buyer's desk
Yard Dice buying FAQ
How big are giant yard dice?
Most giant yard dice measure about 3.5 inches per side, big enough to read from across the lawn and heavy enough to land flat. Some travel or budget sets are a bit smaller. If reading the pips from a distance matters at your cookouts, look for the larger 3.5-inch dice.
How many dice do you need for yard dice?
Yardzee uses five dice and Farkle uses six. Many sets ship with only five, so if you want to play both games out of the box, look for a six-die set or buy a single extra die. Always confirm the count on the listing before you order.
Do yard dice sets come with a scorecard?
Some do and some do not. Better sets include reusable or printable Yardzee and Farkle scorecards, which saves you hunting one down. If your set skips it, you can grab a free printable scorecard and a dry-erase sleeve to use it all season.
What wood are the best yard dice made of?
The most durable sets use denser hardwoods like birch or acacia, or kiln-dried hardwood, which hold their edges and painted pips far longer than soft pine. Budget sets often use light pine that dents and rounds off after a season. For a set that lasts years, pay for the harder wood.
