Quoits

Most quoits sets work well from around age five upwards, though younger children will need a shorter throwing distance and some guidance on taking turns. The game scales naturally as children grow: move the post further away and the challenge increases. It is genuinely one of those rare games the whole family plays together rather than in separate age groups.

Wooden sets have real weight and feel in the hand, which makes throwing more satisfying and the game more absorbing. They do not warp, crack or fade the way plastic sets do after a summer in the garden. A well-made wooden quoits set from a reputable maker will still be in use a generation later, which makes the initial cost far better value over time.

Look for solid hardwood construction, a stable post that drives firmly into the ground, and rope rings rather than thin plastic hoops. Check that the set includes enough rings for at least two players. A set made by an established British games maker carries a reliable quality guarantee that a generic import often cannot match. Presentation matters too if it is a gift.

After play, bring the set indoors or store it in a dry shed rather than leaving it out overnight. If the wood looks dry after a season, a light rub with teak oil or danish oil revives it well. Avoid leaving rope rings on damp grass for extended periods. Basic seasonal care like this keeps a quality wooden set in excellent condition for many years.

Yes. Many sets come with a flat base option or a floor-standing post that works indoors on hard floors or low-pile carpet. Indoor play suits smaller children during bad weather and works well at parties. Outdoors on grass remains the classic setting, but having the flexibility to play both ways makes the set genuinely useful all year round rather than just in summer.

Quoits plays perfectly well with just two people, making it a good one-to-one activity for a parent and child. It also works with teams of two or three, which suits garden gatherings or family days out. Most standard sets come with four to six rings, which covers two players or two small teams comfortably without needing any additional equipment.

That is exactly the reputation Jaques sets have earned since 1795. Parents regularly write in to say they still own sets from their own childhood, or that they are buying for grandchildren games they remember from their grandparents' gardens. Solid hardwood, quality rope rings and honest construction are what make that possible. It is the opposite of a game you replace every couple of years.