The best bocce sets for kids and family play are 73mm metal sets, which are lighter, smaller, and easier for small hands to grip than full-size 107mm tournament balls. Families with mixed ages benefit from combo packs that include both 73mm and 35mm minis, so kids and parents can play together at the right scale. For most households, a 73mm 4-ball set or our Little and Large Pack Combo will give you years of backyard fun without the heft of a regulation tournament set.
Outdoor games like bocce check the right boxes for active family time. The CDC's physical activity guidelines recommend that children aged 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day, and that adults get at least 150 minutes per week. A backyard bocce session covers walking, light throwing, and steady outdoor movement, all without the impact or coordination demands of more competitive sports.
Key Takeaways
- 73mm metal bocce balls weigh roughly 700g each, light enough for most children aged 6 and up to throw safely on grass.
- The Little and Large Pack Combo at $125 pairs 73mm metal sets with 35mm minis so families with younger kids can play at two scales.
- For backyard family games, skip 107mm tournament resin (about 920g per ball) until older teens are involved.
- Single-color 73mm 4-ball sets at $48 work well as a child's first dedicated set, with vivid colors that are easy to track on grass.
- Every set in this guide is in stock and ships from the BuyBocceBalls US warehouse, ready to play out of the box.
What makes a great family bocce set
Three things matter when you are shopping for the family: ball weight, ball size, and durability. The regulation tournament ball used by the United States Bocce Federation is 107mm in diameter and weighs roughly 920g, which is heavier than a small softball. That weight feels right for adult tournament play but can be a lot for a child to grip and lob across a lawn.
Step down to 73mm metal petanque and boules balls and the picture changes. Each ball weighs about 700g, sits cleanly inside a child's palm, and rolls (or short-hops) easily on uneven grass. The metal construction is also far more durable than mass-market plastic sets, which crack or dent after a season of yard play. According to Encyclopedia Britannica's entry on bocce, the modern family of boules games descends from Roman ground games that used everything from stones to early pottery, so a smaller metal ball is a perfectly legitimate way to learn the throw.
The third factor is matching ball size to the people in the household. A family with a six year old, a ten year old, and two adults will not all comfortably use the same ball. That is where combo packs and second sets earn their keep.
Our top kids and family bocce picks
1. Little and Large Pack Combo: 73mm and 35mm Metal Sets
Best for: families with kids aged 4 to 10 who want adults and children playing at the same time.
This is the marquee family pick. You get a 73mm metal set for the adults and older kids, plus a 35mm mini metal set the youngest players can use on the same patch of grass or even on a coffee table for an indoor rainy day game. The 35mm minis weigh just a few ounces each, so a toddler or kindergartener can heft them without straining. Find it at Little and Large Pack Combo.
2. 73mm Metal Petanque Boules 4-Ball Set Red
Best for: a single child aged 6 to 12 who wants a set of their own.
Bright red metal balls show up clearly against green grass, brown dirt, and a sandy beach, which matters more than you might think when small players are still learning to track the pallino. Four balls is enough for two children to play one against one or for a parent and child to team up. At $48 the set is also an easy gift for a birthday or a first introduction to the game. Anchor the set with our 73mm Red 4-Ball Set.
3. 73mm Metal Petanque Boules 3-Ball Set Gold
Best for: a younger sibling who wants their own three balls to add to a family bundle.
This is the most affordable entry point in our 73mm metal line. Three balls in a polished gold finish lets a younger child join a family game without sharing, which (any parent will tell you) avoids a surprising amount of friction. Pair this with the red 4-ball set above and two siblings can play a real team game together. Pick it up as the 73mm Gold 3-Ball Set.
4. 110 mm Blue Solid Color 4-Ball Set
Best for: older teens and parents who want a full-size resin set the whole family can grow into.
Once kids hit their teen years, a full-size resin bocce ball starts to make sense. This single-color 110mm set is built to volo size, which is the slightly larger ball used in international play, and the saturated blue is easy to spot at distance. Buy two sets in different colors and you have a four-player backyard game with regulation-feeling balls. See the 110mm Blue Solid Color 4-Ball Set.
Matching ball size to your child's age
The rule of thumb in our shop is simple. Ages 4 to 6 do best with the 35mm mini metal balls because they are small enough to grip with three fingers. Ages 6 to 10 are squarely in 73mm metal territory, which gives a real throw and roll without being too heavy. Ages 10 to 14 can usually handle either 73mm metal or a lightweight 107mm resin 4-ball set, depending on hand size and strength.
For older teens and adults, full-size 107mm or 110mm sets are the natural fit. We cover the regulation specs in detail in our companion guide to bocce ball size by age and skill level, which goes deeper on the throwing mechanics at each stage.
The pediatric angle is worth noting too. The American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance on healthy active living for families emphasizes that the best childhood sports are the ones the whole family can play together at low cost, not necessarily the ones that build elite skill. Bocce checks both boxes.
Setting up a family bocce game in the backyard
You do not need a court. Any reasonably flat patch of grass roughly 8 feet wide by 30 to 40 feet long is enough for a family game. Mark each end with a small stake or a cone, throw out the pallino (the small target ball that comes with every set), and you are playing.
For families with kids under 10, shorten the throwing distance to 15 or 20 feet so younger players can reach. Keep games short, ideally to 7 points instead of the regulation 12 or 15, so attention spans stay engaged. Rotating teams between frames also keeps the social dynamic light and avoids the same partner pair winning every round.
If you want a deeper read on bocce as a low-key social game, the Wikipedia entry on bocce covers the family of variants played across Italy, France, and the Americas, and explains why the open style of backyard bocce is closer to the historical roots of the game than the formal courts you see at clubs.
Why buy from BuyBocceBalls
We carry the deepest selection of 73mm metal and 35mm mini sets in the US specifically because we field a lot of family buyers who want safe, lighter starter sets. Every set on this page ships from our domestic warehouse, usually within one business day, so a Friday order arrives in time for a weekend backyard game.
If you want to see every kid friendly and family option we stock in one place, browse our full 73mm Pétanque and Boules collection. If a question comes up about which set fits your child's age and hand size, our team answers email and chat in plain English, not call-center scripts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best age to start a child on bocce?
Most kids can throw a 73mm metal ball safely starting around age 6, though 35mm mini metal sets work for ages 4 and up. The throwing motion is a gentle underhand toss, which is biomechanically easy and low impact. The Harvard School of Public Health includes light backyard games in its overall family fitness recommendations for early childhood.
Are 73mm metal balls safe for young children?
Yes, with normal supervision. Each ball weighs about 700g, which is roughly the weight of a baseball. The metal construction means the balls will not crack or splinter the way cheap plastic sets do, and the smaller diameter is easier to grip with small hands. Keep play limited to grass or dirt; metal balls on hard concrete can chip and create sharp edges over time.
Do you need a real court to play family bocce at home?
No. A patch of flat lawn 8 feet by 30 feet is enough for a casual family game. Shorten the playing distance for younger kids and use cones or stakes to mark each end. Bocce was historically played on whatever flat ground was available, including dirt, gravel, and beach sand.
How many people can play a family bocce game?
Two to eight. A single 4-ball set supports a one against one game. Buy two 4-ball sets in different colors and you have two against two. Larger family gatherings can run two against two with rotating substitutions, or play singles in a quick round robin.
What is the difference between bocce and petanque for kids?
The ball size and throwing style. Bocce uses larger resin balls and a smooth lawn roll. Petanque uses smaller 73mm metal balls thrown from a standing circle, with the ball usually landing and rolling a short distance. For families, the 73mm metal sets we recommend in this guide will play either way, which is part of why they are such a flexible family pick.
