As seen with @sophiejashton · Outdoor Games · Est. 1795★★★★★ 150 reviews

The garden game your children will actually beg to play

£21.99

or 4 payments of £5.49 with Klarna

🛡️ 30-day full refund, no questions. Fewer than 30 returns from 23,000+ orders.

Express · order today for next-day delivery

Standard · 2-3 working days

2 mallets included
5 animal hoops
Ages 3+
Wood construction
Screen-free play
Hand-eye coordination
30-day returns
Klarna available

Delivery in 2-3 working days · 30-day returns · Est. 1795

as seen in

Real talk

You want them outside. They want a game that doesn't bore them by hoop two.

Animal Croquet is the rare garden game that holds their attention. The numbered animal hoops, the gentle rhythm of play, the roars of laughter when someone misses. It's simple enough that a 3-year-old can pick up a mallet and feel like a player from swing one.

You get a genuine break. They get exercise, friendship, and the kind of play that doesn't feel like screen time in disguise.

Joe Jaques, Jaques of London

What's in the box

Everything you need to start playing together today. No assembly, no missing pieces.

Animal Croquet set laid out showing all components

In the box

2 wooden mallets

Sized for small hands. Light enough to swing without frustration, solid enough to feel real. Children aged 3 and up can swing confidently.

✓ Balanced for young players
✓ Easy grip handles
✓ Wood construction

Colorful animal hoops featuring panda, bunny, deer, hedgehog, and fox

In the box

5 animal hoops

A panda, bunny, deer, hedgehog, and fox. Each one numbered so children learn to play in order. The illustrations make the game feel like a woodland adventure, not just hitting balls.

✓ Panda, bunny, deer, hedgehog, fox
✓ Numbered for ordered play
✓ Wood with hand-painted details

In the box

2 wooden balls

Smooth, solid, and easy to track on grass. One for each player. No hunting through the borders because they've rolled away.

✓ Solid wood
✓ Visible on grass
✓ Ready to play immediately

Ready to get them outside?

Children's Animal Croquet: £21.99

While they play

What they're quietly learning

Looks like play. Works like a lesson.

👁️

Hand-eye coordination

Every swing trains aim and timing. They'll notice they get better each time they play.

🎯

Sequencing and order

Following numbered hoops teaches planning. They're thinking ahead before they swing.

👥

Turn-taking and patience

Two players means waiting their turn. Real play teaches friendship and fair play naturally.

🌳

Outdoor confidence

No screens, no rules they need to read. Just grass, mallets, and discovery. Builds independence.

What families say about Jaques of London

Parents tell us what they notice

★★★★★

"Excellent quality wood toys, so well made, no sharp edges, all lovely & smooth, very colourful & plenty of choice. Very reasonably priced & so beautifully wrapped you don't want to open them. Highly recommend this company."

Lynda Evans✓ Google review

★★★★★

"Fast delivery, excellent products, extremely good quality and long lasting. My granddaughter loves the toys from here. Good age ranges covered."

Danella Jones✓ Google review

★★★★★

"These toys tick all the boxes, educational, colourful, fun, well made and great service. I just keep buying more and more."

Irene Johnstone✓ Google review

★★★★★

"We love our toys from Jaques of London. The quality is excellent and they're the perfect size for little hands to hold and play with easily. Beautifully made, sturdy wooden toys that will last for years. Highly recommend!"

Tegan✓ Google review

★★★★★

"Harrods grade gifting for a very reasonable price. Not the usual tat from China. Had several hand picked orders fron Jaques, nice to know its a UK business with old school quality."

John A✓ Google review

★★★★★

"I am a real fan of this company. If only I had come across them years ago when my boys were little. It's my go to for beautiful, good quality toys for my granddaughter now and any gift I need to buy. They arrived quickly, prices are reasonable and the special touch is they are beautifully packaged too. I love the heritage of this business!"

Sarah Lardner✓ Google review

★★★★★ 4.8/5 rated by families across Google and Trustpilot: real reviews, quoted word for word

Get ready for life

Why real play matters

Real brain growth comes from real play.

2 mins

Unbox and step outside

No assembly needed. Mallets, balls, and hoops are ready. Children can play within moments of opening the box.

→

5 mins

Show them the animal hoops

Guide them through the sequence once. They'll understand the numbered flow immediately. One hoop at a time, in order.

→

20+ mins

Watch them play together

Two players means conversation, laughter, and real interaction. You get that rare moment: children playing, fully absorbed, outdoors.

Why this matters right now

5 Woodland animal hoops Panda, bunny, deer, hedgehog, and fox. Every hoop tells a story and turns croquet into an adventure.

Ages 3+ Simple enough for toddlers No complex rules or small parts. A 3-year-old can pick up a mallet and feel like they're playing a real game.

2 Players at once Designed for pairs. Turn-taking teaches patience. Playing together teaches friendship. No one stands around waiting.

230 yrs of making things worth keeping Jaques of London has been crafting games and toys since 1795. This one is built to be handed down, not thrown out.

We really are different

Why Animal Croquet wins in the garden

	Jaques Children's Animal Croquet	Cheap Alternatives
Suitable from age 3	✅	❌ Most croquet sets need age 5+
No assembly or setup	✅	❌ Plastic alternatives often need parts sorted
Wood, not plastic	✅	⚠️ Plastic versions feel flimsy
Numbered hoops teach sequence	✅	❌ Standard sets need adult instruction
Two players, both active	✅	⚠️ Some games leave one child bored
Hand-painted animal details	✅	❌ Plain painted hoops feel generic
Real play, no screens	✅	❌ Apps can't teach real friendship

Jaques

✅ Age 3 friendly
✅ No assembly
✅ Solid wood
✅ Numbered play
✅ Both stay engaged
✅ Painted animals
✅ Outdoor, screen-free

Cheap alternatives

❌ Most need age 5+
❌ Others need setup
❌ Plastic feels cheap
❌ Others confuse kids
❌ One gets bored
❌ Plain designs
❌ Needs a screen backup

Ready to get them outside?

Children's Animal Croquet: £21.99

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not right? Return it within 30 days. Full refund, no questions.

Questions & answers

Questions parents ask

Will my 3-year-old actually understand the game?

Yes. The numbered hoops show them the order. They swing, they hit the ball, it goes through a hoop with a panda on it. That's the whole game. No complicated rules to learn or remember.

What if they lose interest after one afternoon?

Animal Croquet has the kind of simplicity that keeps children coming back. Each session they swing a little better. Each session someone giggles at a missed hoop. We've seen families play for years.

Is it just for summer?

Mostly, yes. Grass and dry ground are best. A dry autumn afternoon works beautifully. Frost and wet turf make the game harder. Winter storage is simple. Just keep it in a shed or garage.

What if I'm new to croquet?

You don't need to be. Neither do your children. Set up the hoops, hand them a mallet, and let them play. The beauty of Animal Croquet is that it teaches itself. No instruction manual required.

How much does it cost?

The Children's Animal Croquet is £21.99 today. Klarna is available at checkout if you prefer to spread the cost.

What's your returns policy?

30 days, full refund, no conditions. Return it for any reason and we refund in full. We've been standing behind what we make since 1795.

Ready to get them outside?

Children's Animal Croquet: £21.99

Our story

Making toys worth keeping since 1795.

Jaques of London was founded in 1795. We invented croquet, table tennis, and the Staunton chess set. For 230 years, we've been making things that pull children away from passive entertainment and into active, curious, hands-on play.

Croquet has brought families together since the 1800s. At Jaques, we've been making games ever since, and we've learned one thing: the best games are the ones children choose to play outdoors. Animal Croquet carries that tradition forward. The wood, the hand-painted hoops, the gentle pace of play. It's a game designed for small hands, young minds, and the rare afternoon when screens don't matter. Real play. Real friendship. Real laughter.

Toys and games that leave something behind: a skill, a memory, a piece of play that gets passed on.
Joe, Jaques of London

Ready when you are