Axe throwing is a lot more fun than you would imagine. I remember hearing about the sport for the first time, I thought it sounded interesting, but I wondered, “how is this a business?” haha.
Well, after my first axe toss, it made a lot more sense; throwing axes is so much fun. It is similar to throwing darts, but there’s that extra thrill because you are tossing an axe through the air like you are some sort of beast.
If you have never been axe throwing, I highly recommend you go and give it a try; you won’t regret it. I really enjoy how you can make a night out of it, and many axe-throwing establishments offer food and drinks, making it the perfect evening out with your friends.
If you like throwing axes, take a look at these 19 activities like axe throwing or just watch the video!
1. Darts
As I already said, axe throwing is a very similar activity to throwing darts. The concept is similar, and it takes a similar amount of physical exertion, axe throwing being a little more strenuous.
The throwing skill you’ve learned with axes translates nicely to the darts world. Dart games require a similar level of precision, technique, and hand-eye coordination. I personally think throwing darts is harder as your aim must be more precise than axe thrwoing.
When it comes to the social aspect, darts requires less space and is more of a pub-friendly activity. Throwing a dart into a dart board makes little noise; being inside an axe-throwing facility, it is quite loud.
Both offer a great friendly rivalry activity; you keep track of scores and can battle it out over the evening. Enjoy countless hours of playing, casual drinking, snacking, camaraderie, and overall a relaxing night out.
2. Bowling
Bowling is pretty similar to axe throwing; you roll a bowling ball at some pins and count up your scores. You can make up teams, play solo, or battle 1v1. It is a great activity that anybody can enjoy as it does not require a lot of mobility and there’s minimum physical exertion.
It is a timeless activity that balances skill and luck, creating a slight adrenaline-charged atmosphere that simply just fun.
As you replace the timber target with a lane of gleaming pins, and swap the axe for a hefty bowling ball. You will feel a similar satisfaction when the ball rolls down the lane, and then crashes into the pins on a successful strike. Even the rhythm of bowling – the pause, the aim, the release – feels quite similar to a good axe-throwing session.
See our related post “19 Activities Like Bowling to Do With Your Friends” here.
3. Escape Room
As axe throwing tests your physical preciseness, escape rooms challenge your mental side of things. These games are quite thrilling; you become trapped in a room filled with various clues and tricky puzzles.
You and your team must work together, think critically, and race against time to unravel the mystery and do whatever it takes to escape! The pressure and the sense of achievement when you finally crack the code can feel similar to the rush of axe throwing in a unique, brain-teasing way.
Although both activities are quite different, the time spent bonding with friends is very similar. You will build up your relationship as you work together, teach one another, learn each others skills and weaknesses, and overall have fun with each other.
Escape rooms are a must-try activity that you must try once, because when you do you are very likely to make it a regular outing.
4. Rage Rooms/Smash Rooms
If you’re after the adrenaline that comes from axe throwing, rage rooms, or smash rooms are something that may be something of your interest.
Slightly similar to an escape room; instead of discovering clues and working as a team, you get to enter a room and let all loose. Take your weapon-smashing tool of choice and begin smashing everything in sight.
You will find so many old items to beat the heck out of including: old furniture, old TVs, glass bottles, printers, you name it. These facilities allow you to vent all of your frustrations in the most satisfying way possible. It is truthfully a therapeutic release that’s hard to find anywhere else.
5. Golf Simulator Facilities
Imagine your perfect golf swing, followed by a moment of suspense as the digital ball flies toward the virtual green. Now let’s pair that with the relaxing pub atmosphere, complete with your favorite drinks and your best friends.
Golf is not the same as axe throwing, but golf simulator makes it much more relatable. Instead of throwing your axe to get some points, you swing your club and do your best to get it in the virtual hole in as few shots as possible.
You get to compete against your friends, have some food and drinks, and overall enjoy your evening without the need to be at a real golf course losing all of your golf balls.
You can play a variety of famous golf courses, play mini games, and more. I highly recommend it as a night out, it is a lot of fun and I can’t wait to go back to my local spot in Vancouver.
6. Ropes Course
I worked at a zipline and ropes course for many years, if you want something with more thrill and something much more physically demanding than axe throwing, going to a ropes course with a group is a lot of fun.
With a mix of high-flying obstacles and challenging physical tasks, it’s an activity that tests your physical fitness, problem-solving skills, and of course, fear of heights. There is a lot of adrenaline rushing through your body as you climb up to the next level, there’s focus to ensure you don’t slip and miss your next step.
But the accomplishment feeling you get from overcoming each challenge is truthfully exhilarating in a way that sort of mirrors the excitement of axe throwing.
7. Gun Range
Not everyone wants to shoot a good, but for those who do you can head to a gun range. Shooting at targets is very similar to throwing axes at targets, the targets even look similar!
This activity requires precision and some power, a lot like axe throwing. So you can swap out the axes for firearms, and experience the rush of hitting a distant target with more precise accuracy.
Safety is extremely important for us all, that’s why choosing a gun range is a good idea for testing out this activity. A supervised session at the gun range can teach you new skills, while also providing you with an adrenaline-filled activity that is quite rewarding.
8. Laser Tag
Don’t want to shoot real bullets? No problem, laser tag is a great activity for you!
The agility, strategy, and required team coordination in laser tag will make it feel like a futuristic version of axe throwing. Toss on your laser tag equipment, load up your alien looking gun, and begin taking out the opponents one by one.
Laser tag offers a number of games that require team strategizing, such as capture the flag. A night out playing offers a more thrilling and physical experience than axe throwing, but still it is a great alternative option!
I used to play a lot of laser tag, it is tons of fun! In terms of similar activities it definitely makes sense to add it to the list. You can call up a laser tag business and book a session for you and your friends just like axe throwing. Some locations offer food and drinks as well as some arcade games to keep you entertained for hours.
9. Rock Climbing
Similar to a ropes course, rock climbing is hard work and requires a lot of physicall effort. It’s a total body workout requiring all of your strength, agility, and mental focus combined.
Heading to an indoor rock climbing facility will give you the closest relation to axe throwing, you can book a session with a group of your friends where you can hang put and challenge/support each other to climb higher up.
You do always have the option to find an outdoor climbing location; these natural spots offer extreme challenges where you can test your climbing skills.
The feeling of reaching the top, and conquering such a difficult route, offers a sense of achievement that can feel like hitting a bullseye at the axe throwing facility.
Read our 10 Activities Like Rock Climbing For Adventure Seekers here.
10. Golf Driving Range
Another golf option, why? Well, golf is fun, and playing from a single location like a driving range tee box is quite similar to throwing an axe. Swap the tighter space of an axe-throwing lane for the wide view of a golf driving range, and the similarities are there.
Your rhythmic swing of the golf club, your deep focus on the tiny ball, and the satisfaction of hitting a flush bomb and it sailing through the air towards the distance targets offer a similar feeling that comes with axe throwing.
There’s a certain calmness to the activity too, a chance to clear your mind and focus on the single task. Take a buddy or get a group together; hitting from the range is a fun activity!
There are some pretty awesome driving ranges like TopGolf that make the activity even better. You can play mini-games, compete with each other, play the longest drive, and much more. These locations even offer food and drink, so it becomes that much more similar to axe throwing when going to a spot like Topgolf.
Read more similar activities to TopGolf here!
11. Mini Golf
Oh, you thought I was finished with golf? Sorry not yet.
Mini golf is simple to play and requires a similar level of expertise as axe throwing, which is none. Grab your group of pals and book a game at the local mini golf spot.
Mini golf facilities can be similar to axe thrwoing facilities, you go to play the activity while they also may provide you with food and drinks. It is a place to meet up with friends and kill some time having fun.
Mini golf is a more relaxed alternative to axe throwing, however. The bright-colored mini courses, complete with their wild obstacles, make for an engaging game, especially for us competitive friend groups.
The aim and precision needed to putt the ball through windmills, loops, and tricky slopes can provide a challenge for everyone playing, making the good shots feel rewarding like a good axe bullseye toss.
Read our related post “19 Activities Like Mini Golf to Do With Your Friends” here.
12. Trivia Night
If you are looking for a more relaxed evening, without the need to get out of your chair, trivia night could be the choice for you.
Axe throwing and trivia seem very different when compared, however, the idea of gathering your friends, battling other teams, and working together, adds up to an exciting time.
Like axe throwing, during a trivia night you can eat snacks, have drinks, and enjoy yourself while being in relaxation mode.
There is a feeling of satisfaction when remembering that obscure fact, the competition can be thrilling, and the shared laughter makes trivia a memorable night.
13. Movie Night
Another relaxing activity on this list, is movie night. I love heading to the theatre to watch a good movie, I get the best snacks to chomp on while the movie screams in my ears.
I also enjoy sharing the experience with a small group of friends, I can then share my thoughts on the movie afterward, which makes for a good discussion!
You can always save a few dollars and have a movie night at your house with a group of friends. You can mix up movie night with trivia about the movie, themed snacks, and even a dress-up contest.
You can even add some thrill to the evening by combining a movie night and an axe-throwing evening together, as they pair very nicely.
14. Pitch and Putt
I know, I know, I know… Another golf activity. You are probably thinking why so many golf activities? Well, golf is a low-energy-requiring activity, similar to axe throwing. I also live in Vancouver, BC, where there are so many pitch and putt courses, and they are a huge hit in the city.
Pitch and putt is a little more physically demanding than a golf simulator, mini golf, and a driving range. It is the closest thing to real golf on this list.
Instead of staying stationary, you get to hit your ball, follow it and hit it again. Just like real golf, except each hole is a much shorter distance. Expect a pitch and putt holes to be 40 yards to just over 100 yards.
This is the perfect distance to use your pitching wedge to get the ball on the green, and then your putter to put it in the hole.
I love playing pitch and putt and actually purchased a pass to play unlimited; yes it is that fun! It is great to grab your friends, some snacks, couple beer, and hit the course for a fun outdoor experience.
15. Ziplining
Really, ziplining!? It is the perfect extreme-style sport to add to this list. I was a zipline guide for many years, and everyone loves it.
There is something special about ziplining; it seems super scary and adrenaline-fueled; however, in my opinion, many ziplines are actually quite soothing. Don’t get me wrong, some ziplines are exhilarating and can be absolutely wild, but some are just a nice experience.
What I mean is the unbelievable views you get, the nice smooth zip over a waterfall is beautiful. It is an activity to do with your friends that will leave you all amazed and feeling accomplished in the end, trust me.
You also do not need to be an adrenaline junkie, in top shape, or anything, just fit the basic ziplining requirements, and you are good to go.
If you like the thrill of tossing an axe, and how it makes you feel, then ziplining is a nice step up on the thrill scale to do with your group of friends. Learn more about zipline prices here!
Read our related post “19 Activities Like Ziplining to Do With Your Friends” here.
16. Arcade Bar
Heading to an arcade bar can be the perfect activity similar to axe throwing.
Retro gaming along with some cold drinks come together very nicely in an arcade bar. The environment is filled with laughter, some competition, and nostalgia. Whether you are racing against your friends on an old-school game or trying to get a high score on Pac-Man, going to an arcade bar is exciting!
It is quite an engaging experience that brings out the kid-like joy we get from an axe-throwing outing.
17. Go-Karts
Go-karting is an adrenaline-pumping activity that is similar to axe throwing in terms of excitement. You get to race around the track, outmaneuvering your friends, and doing whatever it takes to get that new track record.
I have had a lot of good times jumping in a go-kart and going full speed. I don’t know if it was the go-karting experience that made me feel so happy or the fact I would be racing against some of my best friends. Either or, mixing the 2 created an experience I will never forget. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if you tried.
See our related post “17 Activities Like Go-Karting to Do With Your Friends” here.
18. Trampoline Parks
When I was in high school I was pretty interested in parkour, I just wanted to learn how to do a flip. A trampoline park is like heaven to those looking for a place to jump around, and try flips you would never imagine yourself trying.
These fun-filled facilities offer a number of exciting activities, you can jump on bouncy trampolines, jump into foam pits, and climb massive foam obstacles. Some locations even have intense games of dodgeball.
The physical exertion, the joy of mid-air stunts, and the laughter that echoes throughout the park can give you the same feel-good vibes as a session of axe throwing. Of course, axe throwing is a lot less physically demanding, but if you and your friends are in shape and enjoy some exercise fun, this may be perfect fro you.
19. Indoor Paintball
Instead of hitting a stationary target with an axe, you can try shooting a moving opponent with a paint gun!
Round up your friends and prepare for a high-energy battle! Paint ball requires team strategy, hard work, and quick movements. As you duck, dive, and run around, you and your friends will be having so much fun.
It’s an intense, thrilling experience that provides a unique twist to axe throwing. You need to be precise with your shots just like your axe tosses.
Read our related post “10 Activities like Paintball to Do with Your Friends” here.
Final Thoughts
After looking at 19 activities like axe-throwing, I hope you found the one that you thought was perfect for you and your friends. Tossing an axe is a lot of fun, it’s exciting, and doing it with your friends is what matter most.
When you want to try a new activity, just give one of these a try and let me know what you think!
If you are looking for a more adventurous activity, I can still help, you can check out one of these articles to find the thrilling activity that interests you most:
- 25 Activities Like Skydiving
- 10 Activities Like Rock Climbing
- 13 Activities Like Paragliding
- 10 Activities Like Bungee Jumping
Read our related post “99 Adventurous Things to Do With Your Friends” here.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
