30 Fun Backyard Games the Family Will Love This Summer

Summer is a wonderful time of year for most families, with the days being longer, the weather being pleasant, and the youngsters out of school. Summer is perfect for having family dinners on the patio or full-fledged backyard barbeques. You will be spending plenty more time in the backyard. It’s good to provide your family with lots of exciting and entertaining activities. A full arsenal of games is required if you’re organizing a neighborhood party or a family reunion. This list has 30 fun backyard games for the summer, whatever your requirements.

1. Polish Horse Shoes

What is it?

Although it has the same name as another popular summer game, it doesn’t have many similarities. The game’s objective is to attempt to knock bottles off of poles. This game needs four players, two flying discs, two poles, and two bottles in its most basic form.

How to Play

Players on two teams agree on which team will go first. Teams alternate throwing a disc at the opposing team’s bottle and attempting to knock it over; if the receiving team doesn’t catch the disc, the thrower will earn points. The teams take turns taking turns until one of the teams reaches 21 points, switching back and forth between players each time. Points are counted as follows:

• The throwing team scores two points if the disc hits the bottle directly and knocks it off. The point is diminished to 1 if the receiving team catches the bottle before it hits the ground.
• If the disc strikes the pole and knocks the bottle off, then the throwing team receives a point if the bottle hits the ground. If the receiving team captures the bottle, no points are awarded.
• After each throw, the receiving team must catch the disc. If they don’t, the throwing team gets the point. The disc must be catchable within one step, and an arm’s length of the receiving team or the point does not count.
• The final method for a team to gain points is for the receiving team to catch the disc in front of the pole. In this situation, the throwing team gets three points simply because it’s assumed that the disc might have struck the bottle to the ground and been uncatchable.

 

2. Giant Jenga

What Is It?

Jenga has been a popular pastime for many years, but this new version elevates it to a whole new level. Jenga might be a simple tabletop game, but it becomes a huge tower with lots of anxiety-causing potential when you add an outdoor space. You can only imagine what it’s like when this 5-foot-tall structure collapses to the ground if you’ve ever played Jenga, the original game.

How to Play

The tower is made of three blocks on each level, which are laid out in an alternate direction for each level. When the tower is finished, each player gets a turn removing a block and carefully avoiding disturbing the tower. The aim is to remove as many blocks as possible without causing the tower to collapse, and the player who does so loses the game.

Check out our Giant Jenga buyer’s guide for more information about this great game.

 

3. Corn Hole

What Is It?

Corn Hole is a game that may be known by numerous names, although it’s most often called Corn Hole among 30 fun backyard games. Players pick up the bean-filled sacks and toss them towards the rectangular platform with a small round hole at the far end. Although some take the game extremely seriously, it is still a favorite backyard activity for many individuals, especially after a few drinks.

How to Play

Each game consists of an innings in which each player throws four bean bags at the opposing side’s board. The rules for each team are determined by the number of players on each side, but a few basics apply to all: stand to the left or right of your board when throwing and stay on that side for the rest of the game and games are played to 21. To score, the bag must enter the hole or come to a stop on the board. Scoring is assessed as follows:

• If a bag goes through the hole, it has a value of 3 points, whether it slides in, is knocked over, or lands through the hole.
• A bag that is still on the board at the end of a round scores one point.
• Bags that fall off the board and are subsequently knocked off score no points.
• Bags that land on the board and bounce off the ground must be removed immediately and should not be worth any points.
• A team wins a game by scoring more points than their opponent in 21 up or canceling scoring, in which the team with the higher score throughout each round receives the difference between their scores, such as if team one scores 10 points and team two scores 6, team one will be rewarded 4 points.

 

4. Ladder Ball

What Is It?

The ladder ball is a fun backyard game among 30 fun backyard games that the entire family can enjoy. A ladder with three distinct colored rungs and two sets of three ropes with colored balls on each end is included. Some individuals prefer to develop their own game, but it is much faster and easier to purchase it online.

How to Play

It’s a simple game, but there are many different ways to play it. The most popular variation is that each rung is worth several points. The top rung is frequently worth 1 point, the middle rung is typically worth 2 points, and the lowest rung is generally valued at 3 points. The game is ordinally played between two teams of two people; one player from each team throws all three ropes in their turn. Players alternate turns each time. The first team to score 21 wins after all three ropes have been thrown. Points only count for ropes still on at the end of the round. If one rope hits the other with its rung, the fallen rope no longer counts.

 

5. Badminton

What Is It?

Since at least the 1800s, badminton has been a popular backyard sport in the United States and across the world among these 30 fun backyard games. It is made of a net, a projectile called a shuttlecock, and rackets. The sport is a mixture of tennis and volleyball but is played at a very different pace due to the shape of the shuttlecock.

How to Play

Singles and doubles are the two standard game variants. The shuttlecock is volleyed back and forth across the net by players. A shuttlecock moves players back and forth until the shuttlecock hits the ground. If the shuttlecock is inbound and one player last hit it, that player receives the point if it is out of bounds. The receiving player gains a point if the shuttlecock is out of bounds and inbounds. The game is concluded at 21 unless the score is within a point, in which case it continues until there is a 2-point difference. For example- if the score is 21-20, the game would continue until the difference was at least two points (for example, 24-22). The next point wins if the game reaches 29 points, known as the golden point.

 

6. Croquet

What Is It? 

Croquet is a classical game among these 30 fun backyard games that has been featured in all kinds of media for generations, although its popularity has waned significantly in today’s tablet times. The game’s purpose is to score as many points as possible. In order to play, however, you’ll need mallets, balls, wickets (a horseshoe-shaped stake), and end posts. Crochet is a wonderful game that even the smallest of children can engage in and can be played with two people no matter how many mallets you have.

How to Play

Croquet is a difficult question because, like darts, numerous different games may be played with a croquet set and many versions of those games. It’s difficult to go through all of them here, but the objective of any game of croquet is to strike the balls through the wickets. Some are more difficult than others, and some quickly become competitive.

 

7. Tug of War

What Is It? 

This is a fantastic game to play if you’re having a family gathering, especially a reunion with many people. All you require is a rope of a good length and thickness and enough room to move a group of people back and forth.

How to Play

Place a ribbon or tape in the middle of the rope. The game will need an equal number of players on each side of the rope and a referee to start and end the competition. When the referee blows his whistle, each team pulls as hard as possible to move the ribbon toward their own side of the line. The first team wins the match to put the ribbon over the line.

 

8. Tag

What is it?

Tag is popular game on the list among 30 fun backyard games because it is an all-time classic game. It doesn’t need any equipment, and the instructions are straightforward. The only issue with tag is that it is a game for youngsters, but it’s nice to keep the young ones occupied while the adults talk.

How to Play

Decide who will be the “it” person as a group. Whoever is “it” tries to tag all the other players with his or her hand, whoever it is. When a player is tagged, they become the “it” person, and the player who was previously “it” returns to being one of the pursued. There are no points, and the game does not end until the players are too tired to continue.

9. Lawn Bowling

What Is It? 

Lawn bowling is similar to regular bowling, with one exception: the players must put in a little more effort. The best thing about lawn bowling is that it can be played between two or two thousand players if you have the time. The major disadvantage is that the game can only be played on a fairly large, flat surface.

How to Play

Lawn bowling is scored in the same way as regular bowling. Each player bowls ten frames, with the last frame providing an additional turn if a strike or a spare is achieved. If you score a spare means knocking down all ten pins in two throws, it will be added to your overall score. If you get a strike means knocking down all ten pins in a single throw, you are allowed to add the next two throws to your total score.

Do you want to learn about the various Lawn Bowling Brands? Then, read our detailed article on Best Lawn Bowling Brands.

 

10. Mini Golf

What Is It? 

Mini golf is a collection of putting greens with varying challenges that make putting the ball in the hole more difficult. The perfect thing about this game is that you may purchase a pre-made course or design your own. This backyard adventure is complete with a ball, a club, and some imagination. You need space, obstacles, clubs, and balls for this game to work.

How to Play

Each player shoots their balls towards the hole to avoid obstacles or use them to their advantage. The objective is to get the ball to the hole in as few strokes as possible. The winner is the player with the lowest score at the end of the game.

 

11. Horseshoes

What Is It? 

Horseshoes are so well-known that horseshoes sandboxes can be found at parks all around the country among these 30 fun backyard games. It’s an easy game that only requires two stakes and a few horseshoes to play. Players earn points by getting their horseshoes as near to the stake as possible.

How to Play

Horseshoes have two methods of scoring. The first is to get the “ringer,”; A term used to describe getting a horseshoe around a stake. The second option is to get your horseshoe as near to the stake as possible. Two horseshoes are thrown at one stake by each player in turn. Once each player completes his turn point, he is awarded as follows:

• Players earn three points for each ringer they capture; if every player throws a ringer, the points are reduced to zero.
• The player with the nearest horseshoe to the stake at the conclusion of a round receives one point. The stake must be within six inches of the shoe. If one player’s shoes are closer to the stake than the other player’s, they get two points.
• The most typical number when playing games in the backyard is 21.

 

12. Simon Says

What Is It? 

In this 30 fun backyard games some games may be plain, silly, or simply enjoyable without being competitive. Simon is a game that any number of players can play since it only needs a group of good listeners. The game is suitable for playing anytime, but being outside provides more space for fun activities.

How to Play

You have a committee of individuals and one leader or “Simon” who provides orders. Simon calls for silly demands that the group complies with as long as Simon says, “before giving the demand,” Simon says. Anyone who does not say “Simon says” and still follows eliminated from the game.

13. Red Light, Green Light

What Is It?

This old-school game is still popular at school playgrounds throughout the world. It’s free, enjoyable, and almost universally accessible to everyone. All you require is a group of people and a large open area, the more spacious, the better. The objective is to get from one end of the field to the other while following the rules.

How to Play

All players line up on opposite sides of the field as the “it” person. The “it” person is facing the rest of the players. When the “it” person calls the green light, all players in a row make their way to the opposite side when the “it” person is standing. When the “it” person calls out, everyone must immediately stop or fall to the ground. At this point, the “it” person will turn around and anyone still moving is out. This game ends when one player reaches the finish line or when all players are out.

14. Giant Kerplunk

What Is It? 

Kerplunk is a famous board game among these 30 fun backyard games where players remove sticks holding a group of balls until there are enough sticks and the ball dam inevitably breaks. This is a fun game based on the secret of being the player to drop the balls. It’s the same game but played on a larger scale, which adds up.

How to Play

Insert the sticks through the tube and put the balls on top of the sticks. Players take turns removing the stick without dropping the balls. When the balls drop, the game is over.

 

15. Dunk Tank

What Is It? 

The Dunk Tank is a carnival game 30 fun backyard games that can also be found in the backyard. This is a great game to play on a hot day, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy.

How to Play

Fill a bucket with water and have participant number one sit under it. Players take turns throwing the ball at the target until a hit is made and the bucket of water is emptied over the participant. Players can take turns being the thrower and receiver and the best part about this game is that it is as much fun to watch as it is to play.

 

16. Spike Ball

What Is It? 

Spike Ball is a new backyard game among these 30 fun backyard games, but it quickly gains popularity. It consists of four players, a trampoline net, and a ball. Players toss the ball over the net while trying to keep the ball in play while trying to miss the other team.

How to Play

One team starts by serving the ball over the net. The other team touches the ball three times to hit it back from the net. When the ball is served, players may move freely around the net, and the set continues until one team can no longer return the ball. The other team gets the point when a team can’t return the ball. The first team with 21 points has traditionally been declared the winner.

 

17. Hacky Sack

What Is It?

The name “Hacky Sack” is derived from the bean-filled sack that’s used in the game. There are many sack variations, but they are usually only a few inches in diameter and are slightly less full. This game is one of the few outdoor games that can be played solo among these 30 fun backyard games.

How to Play

The game’s objective is to keep the sack off the ground without using your hands. Players bounce the sack into the air and pass it between one another with their feet, knees, heads, and chest. No points are awarded, but the way the sack stays off the ground is a good metric to measure play.

 

18. Bean Bag Tic Tac Toe

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What Is It? 

Unlike regular Tic Tac Toe, which often ends in a stalemate, this version takes a bit more skill. Players need two different colored sets of sidewalk chalk and bean bags to play.

How to Play

Build a tic tac toe board on a flat surface. Players choose what color bag they will use, then tosses the bag across the board. The goal is to get three horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in a row.

The bag counts in the square where it falls, whether that was the intended spot or not. The last bag to fall in a square is the active bag.

 

19. Tether Ball

What Is It?

A tetherball pole was used on almost every school playground. Who would have guessed that a ball on a rope connected to a pole could be so much fun? Someone came up with the brilliant notion to make it portable, and now anyone may play whenever they want.

How to Play

On either side of the tetherball pole, two players face each other. The game begins when one player serves the ball. The goal of the game is for the rope to wrap around the pole. Players can hit the ball, but they automatically lose if they strike the rope or pole. The game begins again when the rope is placed around the pole. The first player to accomplish it wins, and the game is over.

 

20. Watch Your Step

What Is It? 

Watch your Step is a one-of-a-kind game that’s a lot of fun in the backyard. This game is not only entertaining on a hot day, but it is also beneficial to your hand-eye coordination and exercise. All you need is a string or rope and a water balloon to make this game interesting.

How to Play

Fill a water balloon with water and tie a rope around the other end. Built a knot in the other end of the rope and wrap it around your ankle. Make sure there is no space between your ankle and the balloon. Players attempt to pop one another’s ballooned, with the last player with a balloon remaining standing being the winner.

21. Kubb

What Is It? 

Kubb is a Swedish lawn game among these 30 fun backyard games that’s a combination of horseshoes and bowling. Kubb sets include ten Kubbs, one king, and six batons available online. Some sets even come with pitch markers to create a kubb field wherever you go. The game’s objective is to decimate all of the Kubbs before turning your attention to the king.

How to Play

At the start of the game, each team’s first squad takes up its baseline and throws all six batons at the opposing Kubbs. The batons should spin end over end, not side to side, and the throw must be underhand. The first team’s side of the field is home to any Kubbs that are knocked down in this first round. They’re piled next to each other on the first team’s side of the field. The term “field Kubbs” refers to these Kubbs. On team two’s turn, they must first demolish all of the field Kubbs before attacking the normal Kubbs.

The baseline is the line that runs through the centers of both teams’ Kubbs, from which the closest one to their opponent becomes the new baseline. Teams alternate knocking down the Kubbs until one team manages to do so. If the Kubbs are knocked down, but there are still batons left, the king may be struck with them. The team that first topples the king in this manner wins. The throwing team loses if the king is knocked down before all of the Kubbs are knocked down.

 

22. Ramp Shot

What Is It? 

Ramp Shot is different in a long line of throwing outdoor skill games. Although many games have similar features, each has characteristics that distinguish it from the others. The ramp shot is one of my favorites since it involves more activity on the part of the players. The game requires four balls, two ramps, and four players.

How to Play

One of the distinguishing features of Ramp Shot is that three out of four players play on every turn. The active team is positioned behind each ramp, with the distance between them being fifteen feet. One person from the other team stands in the middle of the ramp while the other player sits outside. One player throws two balls on the ramp with the intention of sinking them into the net.

If the ball bounces off the back of the ramp, a teammate on the other team may pick it up for two points. If it bounces off the front of the ramp, a player on the other team can steal the ball for an extra throw during that team’s turn. You get 3 points if the ball goes in the net, and you get 1 point if your teammate catches it. The ramp Shot game is won by the first team that has 15 points or more.

 

23. 500

What Is It? 

This school game isn’t any more complicated than it needs to be, but that doesn’t detract from how much fun it is. All you need are a group of friends and a ball (any ball will do, but a football is most popular) to play a game that will keep you occupied for hours.

How to Play

The thrower faces away from the rest of the group. The thrower calls a number between one and 500 and tosses the ball into the air behind them. Whoever catches the ball gets points, and whoever gets to the first 500 wins and becomes the thrower. After the point value is announced, the thrower may call out “dead or alive,” signaling that whoever retrieves it earns the points even if the ball falls on the ground.

24. Giant Connect 4

What Is It?

Anybody came up with the brilliant idea of supersizing Connect Four and moving it to the backyard, much like many other traditional board games. What you get is a great way for two people to spend time enjoying the fresh air.

How to Play

Players choose a color and then take turns dropping their pieces on the board. The first player to make a straight line of his four pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins. It is much easier said than done, but it can be done.

 

25. Molkky

What Is It? 

This Finnish game is a throwing game similar to the Kub. Players throw a pin called a molkey at a group of identical pins called Skittles to score points. They are also available for purchase, and you may even construct your own Molkky set.

How to Play

Molkky’s distinct pin arrangement is one of the many characteristics that set it apart. Players must line up the pins in this order from front to back: 1st row, 1/2; 2nd row, 3/10/4; 3rd row, 5/11/12/6; 4th row, 7/9/8. The players take turns throwing Molkie at the Skittles; Skittles are pitched back after each turn. The game is scored in the following way:

• If a skittle is knocked over, the player receives the points indicated on the skittle.
• Players earn points equal to the amount of skittles they have knocked down if they knock over multiple skittles.
• A pin that is leaning on the Molkky does not count.
• If a player fails to hit all of the skittles three times in a row, they are instantly eliminated from the game.
• The objective of the game is for players to reach a total of exactly 50 points. If a player scores more than 50 points, their score is reset to 25 automatically.

 

26. Sack Race

What Is It? 

Sacks races are a standard part of backyard gatherings because they are both cost-effective and highly entertaining. They’re not only exciting to participate in but watching participants attempt to reach the finish line is entertaining for spectators.

How to Play

The hardest part about this game now is finding the sacks. Pillowcases will work for smaller people, but bigger sacking is required for taller people. Build a starting line and a finish line in the backyard. Have a non-race signal go and watch the fun begin as racers race to the finish line when everyone is in their sacks at the starting line.

 

27. Three-Legged Race

What Is It? 

The three-legged race is similar to the sack race, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, all you need is some rope and space to race. To begin, there must be an equal number of individuals participating.

How to Play

Players split into two teams and tie their inner ankles together to form a three-legged person. The non-player signals go, and the team’s race to the finish line is on, with everyone striving to stay upright the whole time.

 

28. Lawn Darts

What Is It? 

Lawn darts are the quintessential backyard sport among these 30 fun backyard games, partly because of the praise they received for being so dangerous back in the day. They have evolved in design to be more secure, but the enjoyment has remained consistent. This game of skill is played with just a dart and a ring.

How to Play

Lawn darts are an easy concept, but the scoring can be a bit confusing. The two rings are placed 35 feet from each other, and each player stands behind their rings. Players throw their darts at opposing rings with the goal of landing them inside the rings. The winning player is the one who has won the most games at the end of 21 rounds are as follows:

• For each dart that is placed inside the circle, players earn 3 points.
• If a player’s dart does not go into the ring, the player gets one point.
• If both players’ darts are closer to the ring than their opponent’s, they receive two points.
• If a player has two darts in the ring and one outside of the ring closer than their opponent’s, they receive four points.
• The players’ darts cancel each other out, so neither gets any points if they have one dart in the circle.

 

29. Laser Tag

What Is It? 

Laser tag is the most technologically advanced outdoor game. It’s just as enjoyable as paintball or squirt guns, but with zero cleanups. Laser tag typically uses a chest sensor and a laser gun to record hits.

How to Play

There are no rules when it comes to laser tag, which is part of the reason why it’s so much fun. You must decide whether you are on a team or if it is every man for himself. You start by giving everyone enough time to separate from each other, and then the chase begins from there. In this fast-paced game, the more hiding places there are, the better.

 

30. Foursquare

What Is It? 

Foursquare is a court-based ball game played with four players on a large flat surface. The court should be 16 x 16 feet and divided into four equal-sized squares. A rubber playground ball, such as a dodgeball, with a good bounce, is also required.

How to Play

In square 4, the player starts by tossing the ball and hitting the player from the bottom in square 1. Player 1 must toss the ball once before it hits the other square. The 4th square is repeated as long as possible in this pattern. The following are all mistakes that eliminate a player or cause them to start over from the square 1:

• A player hits the ball once before it bounces.
• A player hits the ball outside their square.
• The ball bounces in a player’s square twice.
• When a player hits the ball, it will land on one of the inside boundary lines.
• A player fails to touch the ball.
• A player hits the ball overhand.
• A player holds or grabs the ball.