We deliver cottage games across Muskoka every weekend from May through October. That gives us a pretty unfiltered read on what people actually play once they're at the cottage — versus what looks fun in a photo and then sits in the bag all weekend.
1. Cornhole
Undefeated. Every group plays it, everyone knows the rules, it works on uneven grass, and it looks great next to a firepit. If you rent one thing, rent this.
2. Giant Jenga
The best crossover game — kids play it in the afternoon, adults play it after dinner. Very low barrier to entry. Falls over dramatically. Perfect.
3. Spikeball
High skill ceiling, so it lives or dies with the group. If two people know how to play, it's the game of the weekend. If nobody has ever tried it, budget 20 minutes to figure it out.
4. Ladder Toss
The dark horse. Nobody requests it, everybody ends up playing it. Great as a 'while the burgers cook' game.
5. Bocce
The sunset game. Barely counts as exercise, plays on almost any surface, and pairs perfectly with a drink.
6. KanJam
Underrated. Frisbee-based, two-on-two, quick rounds. Great for a mixed-age group where kids and adults want to play together.
7. Croquet
Divisive. Cottage-core aesthetic, but the setup takes a while and casual groups tend to lose interest after one round. Only rent if someone in the group is genuinely excited.
So what should you actually rent?
For most cottage weekends, three or four games is the sweet spot. More than that and things sit in the bag. Our Classic Cottage Fun Bundle covers the top four on this list; the Premium and Party bundles layer on Spikeball, KanJam and water toys for bigger groups.
See our cottage game bundles
Check Availability