Encourage Your Children To Take Up Competitive Cornhole

Growing up, I was unable to compete in contact sports due to various health issues. Competitive Cornhole wasn’t even a thing back then. It was an activity you did with your family and friends at the backyard barbeque or at a tailgating event before a big sports game. Over the last five years since I have personally got involved with cornhole, I have seen so much growth in competitive cornhole. The American Cornhole League is featured on ESPN and CBS Sports along with College events, Celebrity events, and even the USA Cornhole National and Junior National Championships. The sport is growing on all levels among all ages.

Like any other sport the only way to keep it growing is by getting children involved. Cornhole can be a fun and social sport where you can meet new friends and be a part of a great community that will encourage you, support you, and uplift you. Even when I started playing at 33, I had multiple people who took me under their wing and taught me the game and mentored me. They just didn’t help me out with cornhole, but they also have become a huge part of my life. These days, where the world is so divided, one of the few things that unites people is the game and sport of cornhole. I see people all the time who come from different walks of life and have different beliefs come together to have competitive fun and a good time.

There are children out there like I was who are unable to compete in contact sports, who could excel and succeed in cornhole. There are also children out there who are afraid to try out for sports in fear of failing. I believe cornhole is the one sport that anyone and everyone can pick up and learn. It is the one sport where everyone is equal ground from the start. I’ve also observed that the younger you start the sport, the more competitive you will be as you get older and become an adult. Like any other sport, cornhole does take practice to get better. However, it’s not as physically taxing as contact sports. The risk of injury throwing a cornhole bag is extremely low. I know of teenagers in the West Michigan Area who are some of the best cornhole players in the region and even the country. It’s because they started at a young age and put in the time and practice. That’s the advantage of being a kid. You have time to devote to the game to get better.

Now, I am not saying kids should quit contact sports. I love watching baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. Those are all amazing sports and the kids who compete in them are amazing as well. However, from a social, physical, and even financial aspect, cornhole is one of the easiest sports to take up and get invested in. Currently, Cornhole is not regulated by most High School Athletic Associations. There’s nothing stopping a high school athlete from taking up cornhole as a hobby or second sport and competing in leagues and tournaments. If you have a child who is looking for a hobby, looking to make new friends, and be surrounded by good people, I would encourage you to get them into cornhole. Even if they don’t want to become an ultra-competitive player, it has so many benefits socially and physically.

PS… Adults would also benefit from taking up cornhole as well. It’s a sport that you can practice with your child and it’s something I’ve seen fathers and sons, and mothers and daughters bond over.