Disclosure: We received The Original Cone Toss to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own.
It’s raining here again and like all little kids both Charlie and Jr. are bored. I told Charlie to get one of the board games out and to go play it. But he said I can’t play by myself which is true or is it? To keep the peace and drama down I decided to stop working and I went and got The Original Cone Toss Game out of the Christmas Closet.
I sat down in David’s man cave and opened up the game as soon as I saw the tiny Gnome I knew David was going to absolutely love this. That was my first thought when we opened The Original Cone Toss from Vango and then I looked at the game and knew Charlie was going to like it as well.
The box says ages this game is for children 8+, and inside you get everything you need to get the game going: two nets, eight toss cones, and one carry case. And I really like that the game doesn’t just throw all the pieces at you and say, “Good luck!” The instructions are right there inside the game, so you can quickly remind yourself how to set it up, how to play, how scoring works, and even how everything packs neatly back into the carry case when you’re finished.
And, yes, there are words. Lots of them. But if you’re someone who would rather watch somebody show you how to play than read through a bunch of instructions, they thought of you, too. There is a QR code that takes you to a video with music and everything. It’s your call. Read it or watch it. We all know David and Charlie are going to watch it because “real men don’t ask or read instructions”. Or do they? I appreciate that kind of thinking when it comes to a family game.
Now, I would like to tell you when playing the game the basic idea is simple. You have two teams with two players. One player from each team stands on opposite sides, and then you alternate tossing the cones into the net. But don’t just throw those cones anywhere.
You’re trying to snag, stack, and steal your way to 11 points. Landing a cone in the net gets you a point. Land your cone in the center square, and you get three points. Land your cone on an opponent’s cone and you steal their points. And if you land on your own cone? You double your points.
The first team to reach 11 points wins. Well… There’s a little more to it than that. Because if you go over 11 you have to go back down to 7 which means this game can last a while. But we was laughing so much as the cones kept going over the board that we didn’t even notice how long we was playing.
For those who haven’t played the game the instructions include some little details that are helpful once you’re actually playing. If a cone is sitting on the net at the end of the round, it counts. If a cone lands between two spaces on the net, it counts, too. You count the space that the tip of the cone is above.
But if your cone passes through the net or bounces out at any point? Too bad. No points. Which happened to me more times than I want to count. And here’s another little twist: As I said earlier you have to get exactly 11 points. If you go over 11, you bust back down to seven points.
Now tell me that isn’t going to cause a little friendly arguing at the next family cookout, game-day! Once you win, you’ve earned unlimited bragging rights. At least until the next barbecue, cookout, family gathering, or whenever somebody convinces everyone to play again. And apparently, you’re also supposed to start repairing the friendships you shattered with your flawless trash talk. But do we want to?
The instructions actually have a little fun with this part, too. They suggest free snacks. Because apparently nothing says, “I still value our friendship” quite like chips and guac. Preferably with extra guac. Although, leave the guac off mine just give me Chips and French Onion Dip please.
They also suggest letting the other team pick the next playlist — even if it’s three hours of yacht rock. No. Don’t touch my record player. I will choose the music and only me. Then there’s offering a cold drink and a warm apology. I’m thinking they can bring their own drink. I’m furnishing the game! And the apology can be implied. Can’t it?
I was laughing out loud reading these instructions because it feels like the people who created The Original Cone Toss understand exactly what happens when family and friends get together and somebody starts getting competitive. Especially when David and Charlie are playing on opposite teams.
The box talks about playing The Original Cone Toss in your yard. Well… We don’t have a yard. So Charlie and I played in the parking lot at our apartment complex during the rain.. Because I was tired of hearing I’m bored mom. There is nothing to do and I can’t drive because its raining and dad said no.
In my family when you don’t have a home with a backyard, you do what you have to do. Either that or you go over to your mother-in-law’s house. And I just wasn’t really wanting to do that the day Charlie and I decided to play. So we took the game outside and made our own playing area.
And let me tell you… We were laughing out loud as those cones were flying. There is just something about trying to toss a cone into a net, watching where it lands, trying to figure out the score, and then doing it all over again that makes you want to keep playing.
It doesn’t have to be a fancy backyard. You just need enough space to play safely and somebody who’s willing to toss a few cones around with you. As the neighbors saw us playing some of them came outside to join us. The only problem was they forgot the drinks and snacks.
As I was playing with Charlie while we waited for David to get home, I couldn’t help but think about how much I would have enjoyed having The Original Cone Toss when we were homeschooling. We could have used it as one of those activities that gets everyone up, moving, thinking and interacting instead of sitting at a desk.
You could easily work in some math while keeping score. You could talk about strategy. You could practice taking turns. And, of course, there is always the opportunity to work on sportsmanship. Although I’m not promising there wouldn’t have been some trash talk involved at our house. That’s part of the fun.
One of the things I really liked about The Original Cone Toss is how much thought went into the instructions. They’re broken down into sections so you can find what you’re looking for. The setup information is easy to spot, and the directions, how to play, scoring and helpful tips are separated so you’re not trying to dig through one giant wall of text.
The different colors make it easier to follow along, too. And then, when you’re finished playing, the instructions show you how to pack everything back into the carry case. That’s a little thing, but it’s something I appreciate. I don’t want to finish playing a game and then spend 20 minutes trying to figure out how the pieces are supposed to fit back into the box. Because I end up frustrated and just throw them in the closet when that happens.
With this one, they actually show you .how everything goes and to a busy mom that is a Godsend because it keeps drama at bay when everyone is done playing. I can see The Original Cone Toss being pulled out at all kinds of gatherings. A family barbecue. A cookout. A birthday party.
A holiday gathering. A neighborhood get-together. A camping trip. Or, apparently, an apartment parking lot. I could also see it being used in a Homeschool PE Class and at events happening around us. It’s also the kind of game where you can have people watching and waiting for their turn because everyone wants to see whether that cone is going to land where you wanted it to. And because you’re trying to reach exactly 11 points, the game can change quickly. One toss can make a difference.
Since I’m working on our 2026 Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List, I’m already thinking about where The Original Cone Toss belongs. I can absolutely see Santa loading one of these into his sleigh for families who enjoy getting outside and playing together. And as I help Santa load that sleigh, I’m planning on dropping one off for my mother-in-law and my sister, because I think my nieces and nephews would have a great time playing it together.
It’s one of those gifts that isn’t just something you unwrap. It’s something you do. And I love gifts that give families a reason to put down their phones, step outside and laugh together. Ready, Set, Toss! If you haven’t had an opportunity to play The Original Cone Toss, I hope you get the chance soon.
Whether you have a big backyard, a small outdoor space, or you’re like us and have to improvise with a parking lot, the important thing is getting outside and having some fun. Just remember: There’s no cheating… Or is there? As David would say and sometimes Charlie too. Now excuse me while I go practice my tossing skills. I’ve got some bragging rights to earn.
About the Game:
About this item
- UNIQUE SCORING GAME WITH A POINT-STEALING TWIST — Cone Toss combines the easy fun of a classic lawn game with a strategic twist. Toss cones into the net to score points, then stack your cone on top of an opponent’s cone to steal their points. Every throw can change the game, creating exciting comebacks and competitive finishes.
- EASY-TO-LEARN OUTDOOR GAME FOR KIDS, TEENS & ADULTS — Simple rules make Cone Toss easy to learn in minutes, whether you’re playing with family, friends, kids, teens, or adults. It’s the perfect balance of skill, strategy, and luck, making it a great choice for casual players and competitive game lovers alike.
- PORTABLE LAWN GAME FOR BACKYARDS, BEACHES & TAILGATES — Take the competition anywhere. The lightweight design and included carry case make Cone Toss easy to bring to backyard BBQs, beach trips, camping weekends, tailgates, parks, cookouts, vacations, and outdoor parties.
- FAST SETUP WITH NO COMPLICATED ASSEMBLY — Set up the two target nets in just minutes and start playing right away. No bulky boards, complicated instructions, or time-consuming setup. Just unpack, assemble, and start tossing.
- GREAT FOR PARTIES, FAMILY GATHERINGS & GAME NIGHTS — Looking for a fun outdoor game that gets everyone involved? Cone Toss is perfect for family reunions, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, neighborhood gatherings, camping trips, and weekend hangouts. Easy to learn, hard to put down.
- COMPLETE CONE TOSS GAME SET — Includes 2 nets, 8 cones, and a durable carry case for easy storage and travel. Designed for indoor and outdoor play and built to bring competitive fun wherever the weekend takes you.
GreatfulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
