15 Awesome Backyard Games For Kids And Adults

Hosting a party or looking to keep the family entertained? Don’t miss these 15 Backyard Games For Kids And Adults. 

Classic Backyard Games For Kids And Adults 

(Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  If you click one of the links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission that will help support this blog. Thanks so much. )

Tug-O-War-This generational favorite only requires a sturdy long rope, a handkerchief or rag to tie in the middle and someone to judge. When the majority of the rope gets tugged to one side, then that team is the winner. 

Horseshoes-Good, clean competitive fun pitching the “shoes” Ring the horseshoe around the pole and get three points. If no ringers occur in a round, the closest to the horseshoe (within six inches) scores a point. Great game to play in teams (Wikipedia).Croquet–Loads of fun using mallets to hit balls through a 6 hoop course in the correct directions. To then finish it off by hitting a center stake. Played as singles or in teams. Get really good and you can take to the tournament circuit. 
Ring Toss-DIY the pieces for this game with water bottles and plastic bracelets or buy a set that you can use again and again. Toss those rings on the targets for prizes or bragging rights. 

 

Backyard Water Games 

Target Squirt-Knock objects off of stands, wood pieces, etc.. with water guns. Fastest times win.  

Bucket Brigade-Great group game for people who don’t mind getting a little wet. Each team member takes a turn filling a bucket with water and walks/runs it across the yard to a waiting larger container. First team to fill their container to a set line wins. 

Sponge Toss-And speaking of buckets, line up three or four with each one a little further away. Take turns tossing wet sponges into the buckets. First person to land sponges in all 4 in a row is the victor. 

Jumbo Backyard Games 

Nothing quite like playing a life size version of your favorite table top games. 

Giant Tumbling Timbers (Like Jenga)-If you are handy with a table saw make your own or purchase a ready made set with handy carrying case. Take turns with other players to carefully remove timbers from the tower. If the tower collapses while its your turn, your out. Continue playing rounds until one steady-handed player is left. 

Big Tic-Tac-Toe-Use some spray chalk to draw a large tic-tac-toe board on the ground. Use two colors of paper plates as your playing pieces. Get three in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to win.  

Lawn Bowling-Forget heading to the bowling alley. Play right in your backyard. Use two liters partially filled with sand and a dodgeball as your equipment. Set the length of the lane to suit the age/strength of your bowlers. 
4 In A Row-This game of strategy is a definite showstopper in large form. A childhood favorite that will be a lawn favorite of all ages. 

Other Lawn Games 

Bocce Ball-Long popular in Italy and greater Europe, this is a game of getting balls closest to the “jack”. Skill and strategy come into play as you work your way through each round.   
Bullseye Bounce Cornhole-This version of cornhole can be played singly or in teams. Toss the bean bags into the holes in an attempt to score the most points possible. Obstacle Course-Let your imagination run wild as you set up obstacles for game players to navigate. Obstacle ideas include weaving in and out of cones, scooting under a broomstick stretched across two chairs, climbing through a web of rope, etc.. 

Kan Jam–Such a fun game for two teams of two players. Two Kan Jam containers are placed opposite of each other across the yard. One player stands by each container. Each player in turn throws the disc towards the opposite container.

His or her partner helps deflect the disc towards or in the container. Differing numbers of points depending on where each disc ends up. First team to 21 wins.   
For more backyard fun:

100 Plus Backyard Summer Camp Activities