Inspiring Conversations with Katy Culver and Max Newton of Sandlot Social

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Culver and Max Newton.

Katy and Max, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We’re a husband and wife duo. Last year, Max had a new party idea, and I said, “Convince me.”

So he went to work in the backyard – mocking up games out of wood, buckets and kids toys. We tested them at our friend’s Fourth of July block party… and within an hour, people were lined up down the street. Friends were texting friends to come over. That’s when I was convinced.

We realized something was missing from the party space: real play and something that was Instagram worthy. Not another bounce house or photo booth, but something both cool and competitive that adults and kids actually wanted to do.

So we took the money we’d saved for a new car and bet on ourselves instead. Max sketched the games, and we worked with an amazing team of local fabricators to bring them to life. Each one built by hand, out of wood, with care and intention. We launched Sandlot Social: a pop-up, design-forward mini-game course made to spark connection and joy. It’s mini-golf meets tailgate party. It’s easy to rent: we bring the course to you, handle setup and hosting, and take care of everything so you can just show up and play.

We built it between nap times and bedtime, with two toddlers and no roadmap. Now we host everything from backyard birthdays to brand activations and corporate team events. Our goal is simple: make parties feel less awkward, and a lot more fun.

It’s scrappy. It’s beautiful. It’s joyful. And it’s only the beginning.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We always say we built Sandlot Social in the margins – during nap times, after bedtime, when we had a free minute. We were chasing a feeling: we just knew that people needed a new way of playing and connecting. Especially in the South Bay. But getting there meant navigating every unknown: designing and building each game from scratch, figuring out how to run a business with two little ones, and trusting that the vision we had was one other people would feel too.

It’s been full of learning curves, but also tiny wins that continue fueling the fire that’s moving us forward. Seeing strangers laugh together while playing our games or watching a parent laugh mid-party because they’re actually having fun – that’s the kind of feedback that reminds us we’re onto something special.

We’re not just building a business, we’re creating something joyful that invites people in. And that keeps us going.

As you know, we’re big fans of Sandlot Social . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sandlot Social is a pop-up mini-game course. Think of it like a mini golf course, except each “hole” is a different handcrafted game you play to rack up points. It’s tailgate party meets backyard bash vibes, designed to be played anywhere and by all ages. Extremely portable, rent by the hour, and built to make any event instantly more fun.

It’s not just games – it’s a vibe. We designed and worked with a team to handcraft each game, created to make parties more fun, less awkward, and totally unforgettable. You book online, we bring the course to you, set it up, host the games, and pack it all up when it’s over. It’s effortless, elevated, and made to be played.

We’re not a rental company – we’re an experience brand. It’s something totally new. There’s nothing else like this in LA right now, and when people experience it, they get it instantly. We’ve created something cool enough for adults, easy enough for kids, and competitive enough to keep everyone engaged. Every game is custom-built from wood and designed to look as good as it plays.

What sets us apart is the care behind every detail, from how the course flows to how we host and interact with your guests. We’re not dropping off equipment and disappearing – we’re there, creating moments. If you’re looking for something new, effortless, and ridiculously fun, this is it. Sandlot Social brings the energy, the competition, and the cool factor. All you have to do is play.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We’re seeing a major shift in how people define connection and fun. After years of screen-first experiences, Gen Z and Millennials are leading the move toward gatherings that are more intentional, playful, and unplugged. There’s a growing appetite for celebration that doesn’t revolve around drinking, just shared moments that feel nostalgic, inclusive, and low-pressure. Sandlot Social exists in that whitespace: competitive, design-forward games that are easy to jump into, fun for all ages, and built to bring people together.

But just as importantly, people want experiences that are beautiful. In a world where every gathering is also content, the aesthetic matters. The traditional game and party rental space has overlooked this entirely. We’re building something new: handcrafted wooden games that are visually stunning, photo-worthy, and thoughtfully designed to elevate the entire event. Sandlot Social isn’t just fun to play, it looks amazing doing it. It’s analog meets modern, and it fills a gap no one else is addressing.

As the experience space evolves, the brands that will lead are the ones creating things that feel real, joyful, and beautifully considered; where people connect not just with the product, but with the feeling it creates. The event and experiential markets are responding, but very few companies check all those boxes and look good doing it. Sandlot Social is built for where the culture is going, not where it’s been. It’s a brand designed to scale, and a business built to lead this next chapter in how people come together.

Pricing:

• Packages start at $250 per hour, minimum 2 hours
• Personalized add-on packages available, including personalized decals (“Happy Birthday” brand logo, etc.), prizes, scorecards

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sandlotsocial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlot_social/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandlotSocialLA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandlotsocial

Image Credits
(I took all the photos – no credits needed)