How do I play frisbee?

From ultimate frisbee to disc golf to a basic catch at the beach, there are lots of ways to play frisbee and all of them require you to know how to toss correctly. To throw a frisbee, first, grip the disc properly, then step across your body, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and point your throwing shoulder at your target. While keeping the disc flat, swing your arm toward your target and snap your wrist to release it.

How do I hold a frisbee?

Holding a frisbee properly is crucial to making a good toss. For a basic forehand throw, you should grip the rim of the disc in the palm of your hand. Your thumb should be on top and your four fingers wrapped around the edge.

The 9 Best Frisbees of 2023

Easy-to-use and inexpensive, frisbees (or flying discs) are a great toy to have on hand for backyard play or fun while hanging out at the beach or park. They’re necessary equipment for competitive games like disc golf and ultimate frisbee. Frisbees are also one of the more budget-friendly ways to exercise outdoors.

Reviewed & Approved

Our best overall pick is the Discraft Ultra-Star Sport Disc for its aerodynamic design that is good for leisure activities or competition. For a fun option you can use in the dark, the Nite Ize Flashflight LED Flying Disc is a great choice.

Frisbees can be made of materials like hard plastic, foam or silicone so it's important to consider what you will use it for before buying. Softer material may be safer for beginners and children. The overall size and weight of a frisbee can differ as well depending on what it's being used for. We reviewed frisbees for our roundup based on the material they're made of, their weight, and durability.

Here are the best frisbees on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Discraft Ultra-Star Sport Disc at Amazon

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Best Light-Up:

Nite Ize Flashflight LED Flying Disc at Amazon

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Best for Long Distance Throws:

Aerobie Pro Ring at Amazon

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Best for the Beach:

INNOVA Big Kahuna Heavyweight Ultimate Throw and Catch Disc at Amazon

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Best Set:

Innova Disc Golf Set 3-Pack at Amazon

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Best Portable:

Waboba Wingman Flying Disc at Amazon

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Best for Ultimate Frisbee:

Innova Pulsar Ultimate Disc at Dick's

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Best for Kids:

Activ Life Kid's Flying Rings (2 Pack) at Amazon

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Best for Dogs:

Chuckit! Paraflight Frisbee at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Fit

4.7

Courtesy of Walmart

Pros

Good for competitive or recreational use
Easy to hold and throw
Streamlined and aerodynamic design

Cons

Hard plastic may not be ideal for young kids

If you’re looking for an all-around, classic frisbee, you can’t go wrong with the extremely popular Discraft Ultra Star Sport Disc which is why we selected it as our best overall pick. As the official disc of the USA Ultimate Championship Series since 1991, it’s perfect for serious competition, but even the average frisbee player can enjoy its perfectly shaped contoured grip and aerodynamic engineering.

Made of durable premium plastic, it has the ideal weight and stability for even, precise throws. The frisbees come in a variety of fun colors, including a glow-in-the-dark option.

Price at time of publication: $13

Material: Plastic | Size: 10.75-inch diameter

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Full illumination from center to rim
Four different color options
Water-resistant and floats

Cons

Batteries are not that easy to change

Frisbee enthusiasts can keep the fun going into the night with this light-up flying disc. Available in red, blue, green, and in two color-changing options, it features LED technology and an innovative design that illuminates the entire disc with just the touch of a button.

Designed by a professional ultimate frisbee player, this flying disc is suitable for serious sport play or just backyard fun. And if you’re playing near a pool or body of water, you don’t have to worry about errant throws, because the durable, plastic disc is water-resistant and floats.

Price at time of publication: $23

Material: Plastic | Size: 10.6 inches

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Aerodynamic design allows for long flight
Easy to throw
Rubber edges for easy catching

Cons

Doesn’t float

If you love tossing a frisbee to see how far it can go, check out the Aerobie Pro Outdoor Flying Disc. According to the manufacturer, it was used to set a world record for the farthest throw, an incredible 1,330 feet.

The thin, aerodynamic design of this 13-inch flying disc allows it to travel longer distances, and the ring shape and soft rubber edges make it easy to catch. The open center also lets you personalize your throwing and catching style, allowing you to grab the edge or use the center to catch it around your arm or foot, a great way to sharpen coordination (both hand-eye and foot-eye) and helps develop one of the six skill-related fitness components to improve athletic performance.

Price at time of publication: $16

Material: Rubber edges | Size: 13-inch diameter

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Great for windy conditions
Fun colors and designs
Very durable

Cons

May be too heavy for kids

This heavyweight disc is perfect for tossing and catching during windy days at the beach or when you want to add some power to your throw. At 7 ounces, it weighs more than the average frisbee but is still suitable for all skill levels and for both recreational or competitive play. The heavier weight may not be suitable for smaller kids, though.

It's made of durable plastic and comes in lots of fun colors and designs. When you're looking to take a break from working out, tossing around this catch-friendly frisbee is one way to get in some fun exercise.

Price at time of publication: $15

Material: Plastic | Size: 10.8-inch diameter

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Comes with three different discs of different weights
Ideal for disc golf playing
Allows for accurate throws

Cons

Pricier than buying one all-purpose flying disc

Similar to a set of golf clubs, this disc golf collection comes with specialized flying discs that make hitting that perfect shot a lot easier to achieve. The set features three discs, all with a specific purpose, in three easy-to-throw weights. Suitable for all players, but especially beneficial for beginners, it includes one driver, one mid-range, and one putter.

All discs are approved by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) and are made from grippy, beginner-friendly plastic. The set takes a lot of the guesswork out of the game of disc golf, helping you boost both your scores and enjoyment level.

Price at time of publication: $33

Materials: Plastic | Size: 8.5-inch diameter

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Compact and portable
Soft and safe
Easy to catch and throw

Cons

Not as durable as plastic frisbees
Doesn’t float

Don’t let this compact flying disc fool you, it will fly straight and very far. Made of soft silicone material, you can catch it easily by squishing it in your hand. Plus, you don’t have to worry about hurting someone or damaging anything with it.

With a 5.9-inch diameter and weighing in at 1.8 ounces, it’s perfect for folding up and sticking in your pocket or bag so you’re always ready to play, an effective way to avoid becoming a sedentary athlete by making social time active. Turn happy hour with friends into an impromptu frisbee game.

Price at time of publication: $8

Materials: Silicone | Size: 5.9-inch diameter

Courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods

Pros

Ideal for ultimate frisbee
Allows for accurate throws
Durable

Cons

May not be ideal for young kids

The Innova Pulsar Ultimate Disc is a top choice for any fan of ultimate frisbee. Ideal for competitive or recreational play, it features a durable and rigid plastic construction that can help you achieve accurate throws to the end zone.

It’s also suitable for disc golf or backyard freestyle throwing.

Price at time of publication: $10

Materials: Plastic | Size: 10.8-inch diameter

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Ideal for kids 3 years old and up
Lightweight, aerodynamic
Floats

Cons

Not good for dogs

Suitable for indoor, outdoor, or even pool fun, these discs are the perfect size for small hands to hold. The aerodynamic, lightweight design also makes throwing much simpler and more comfortable for kids.

The hole in the middle of the discs ensures they'll fly straighter than traditional flying discs and makes catching with one hand a lot easier. Although it only weighs 1.2 ounces, the ring can still travel up to 80 feet, so kids can try to increase their distance as their skills improve.

Price at time of publication: $15

Material: Plastic | Size: N/A

4.7

Chewy

Pros

Affordable
Comes in two sizes
Easy to toss and carry

Cons

May not hold up to intense chewing

Need a frisbee for endless games of fetch? Dogs and owners will both appreciate the durable and easy-to-toss Chuckit! Paraflight Frisbee, which is made especially for our four-legged friends. Aerodynamic and developed for long-distance throws, it gradually descends, allowing for jumping and catching mid-flight.

Chuckit! is made from nylon and rubber and is incredibly buoyant in water, so it’s a great choice for playing with your pooch at the beach or lake. It’s available in two sizes, small (6.5 inches) and large (9.6 inches), so it’s great for all sizes and breeds.

Price at time of publication: $12

Materials: Nylon and rubber | Size: 9.6-inch and 6.5-inch diameters

Final Verdict

For quality, durability, and performance, you can’t go wrong with the extremely popular Discraft Ultra Star Sport Disc (view at Amazon). Suitable for beginners as well as for more experienced frisbee enthusiasts, it’s perfect for ultimate frisbee games or casual catches at the beach or in the backyard. If you want to introduce kids to frisbee throwing and catching, the Activ Life Kid's Flying Rings 2-Pack (view at Amazon) is a safe choice that's very beginner-friendly.

What to Look for in a Frisbee

Material

Most frisbees are made from some type of plastic, which makes them durable, inexpensive, easy to throw and control, and a cinch to clean. However, getting hit with a hard plastic disc can be painful, so it may not be the best material for kids. Fortunately, some kid-friendly frisbees are made from softer materials, such as foam or silicone, so they’re perfect for young kids who are learning how to throw and catch flying discs.

Weight

The standard weight for flying discs can range anywhere from 6 to 7 ounces. While many prefer a light disc, others like some extra weight for longer distances and more control in windy conditions.

Durability

Frisbees often hit trees, roads, driveways, and rocks and frequently get left outdoors in the sun or in unfavorable weather conditions. Flying discs made of quality, hard plastic can withstand lots of abuse and will last longer, so it’s worth spending a few extra bucks on a durable one, rather than selecting a flimsy, less expensive option that won't last.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I play frisbee?

From ultimate frisbee to disc golf to a basic catch at the beach, there are lots of ways to play frisbee and all of them require you to know how to toss correctly. To throw a frisbee, first, grip the disc properly, then step across your body, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and point your throwing shoulder at your target. While keeping the disc flat, swing your arm toward your target and snap your wrist to release it.
How do I hold a frisbee?

Holding a frisbee properly is crucial to making a good toss. For a basic forehand throw, you should grip the rim of the disc in the palm of your hand. Your thumb should be on top and your four fingers wrapped around the edge.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a fitness writer, outdoor enthusiast, and mom to a teen and a tween, Christine Luff has spent many hours researching and testing outdoor gear and sporting equipment.