Are you looking for a fun way to entertain your guests at your next outdoor party?
Whether you’re hosting a family-friendly gathering, a kids’ birthday party or an adults-only bash, there are plenty of outdoor games to choose from that will keep everyone entertained.
For kids, classic games like tag, hide and seek, and capture the flag are always a hit. For a twist on these classics, try playing flashlight tag at night or adding water balloons to a game of capture the flag.
And for a game that will have everyone laughing, set up a giant Jenga or Connect Four game for the kids to play.
If you’re hosting an adults-only party, consider games like cornhole, ladder toss, or giant beer pong. These games are easy to set up and can be played with a group of people.
And for a more laid-back option, set up a game of horseshoes or bocce ball for guests to play while they socialize.
No matter what games you choose, there are plenty of things to do during your party to bring people together and create lasting memories.
Classic Outdoor Party Games
If you’re looking for some family-friendly outdoor party games, then you can’t go wrong with these classic options that have been entertaining people for generations.
Here are some of the most popular and fun games that are perfect for kids and adults alike.
Tug of War
Tug of War is a classic game that can be played by people of all ages.
All you need is a long rope and two teams, and you’re ready to play.
Sack Race
A Sack Race requires balance, coordination, and speed. You’ll just need a few burlap sacks, and you’re ready to go.
This game is perfect for kids because it’s easy to understand, and it’s a lot of fun to play.
Three-Legged Race
The Three-Legged Race is a game that requires teamwork and coordination.
Tie one of your legs to your partner’s and try to outrun the other teams. It gets everyone involved, and it’s a lot of fun to watch.
Egg-and-Spoon Race
The Egg-and-Spoon Race is a game that requires balance and patience and can be played by people of all ages.
All you need is a spoon and an egg, hold the spoon in your mouth and try to drop the egg while going as fast as you can to win the race.
You can replace the egg with a small ball to avoid wasting the eggs.
Water Balloons
Water balloon games are perfect for outdoor parties, especially on hot summer days. Fill up a bunch of balloons with water and let the fun begin!
Kids and adults alike will enjoy games like water balloon toss, where you stand in a line and toss the balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch.
Another great game is water balloon dodgeball, where two teams throw water balloons at each other and try to avoid getting hit.
Giant Yard Pong
Set up giant cups in a pyramid shape on opposite sides on the ground.
The objective of the game is to throw a ball into the other team’s cups. If a ball lands in a cup, the opposing team must remove it from the table.
To make it more challenging, each time a ball lands in a cup, you can have the other team do a dare.
The first team to eliminate all of the other team’s cups wins.
Team-Based Challenges
Relay Race
Split your guests into teams and have them race against each other.
Make it more challenging by adding obstacles or having participants complete tasks before passing the baton.
Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a fun and competitive team game that is perfect for outdoor parties.
Divide your guests into two teams and set up two flags at opposite ends of the playing area.
The objective is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your own territory without getting tagged by an opponent.
Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are a great way to get your guests moving and having fun.
Set up a course with various obstacles such as tires, cones, and ropes.
Divide your guests into teams and have them race against each other. You can make it more challenging by adding water or mud to some of the obstacles.
Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for each team to find and give them a set amount of time to complete the hunt. You can make it more challenging by adding riddles or clues to each item on the list.
Here are two free printables you can use:
– https://heyletsmakestuff.com/printable-back-yard-scavenger-hunt/
– https://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com/back-yard-scavenger-hunt-printable/
Lawn and Yard Games
You can set up different game areas in your backyard and let your guests pick what they want to play and when. It’s easier to plan as once the stations are set up you don’t have to do much else.
Here are a few ideas:
Cornhole
Cornhole is a classic backyard game that involves throwing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the center.
The goal is to get the bean bag in the hole or as close to it as possible.
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Lawn Bowling
Lawn bowling can be played on any flat surface by two or more players. It plays just like regular bowling.
- EASY TO PLAY – This backyard bowling game gives an outdoor twist on a classic game with specially…
Bocce
Bocce is a popular Italian game that’s a lot of fun.
The game involves rolling a set of balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball called a pallino.
Bocce can be played with two or more players and is a great way to spend a summer afternoon with friends and family.
- GoSports 90 mm Premium Resin Bocce Ball Set – Outdoor Lawn Game
Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a classic lawn game where you have to throw horseshoes at a stake in the ground.
The goal is to get the horseshoe as close as possible to the stake.
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Ladder Golf
Ladder golf is a fun and challenging game that can be played in the backyard or at the park.
The game involves throwing bolas at a ladder-shaped target. The goal is to wrap the bolas around the rungs of the ladder.
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: Set includes 2 targets with score trackers, 6 rubber bolos, carrying case, and rules
Ring Toss
The objective of the game is to toss rings onto a peg. The player who tosses the most rings onto the peg wins.
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Bean Bag Ladder Toss
The game involves tossing bean bags at a ladder with three rungs. The first rung is worth one point, the second rung is worth two points, and the third rung is worth three points.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
- FOR OUTDOOR PLAY – Bring your portable corn hole set to your next picnic, beach outing, BBQ; or just play in the backyard for hours of entertainment.
Bottle Bash
Set up a pole with a bottle on top. The objective of the game is to knock the bottle off the pole with a frisbee.
Ladder Pong
Ladder Pong involves tossing ping pong balls at a ladder with cups attached to it. The objective of the game is to toss the ping pong balls into the cups. The player who tosses the most ping pong balls into the cups wins.
Fun Outdoor Party Games
Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is a perfect outdoor party game for all ages.
Start by stacking the wooden blocks to form a tower, then each players try to remove one block at a time without toppling the tower.
The game can be played in teams or individually.
Outdoor Twister
Outdoor Twister is a fun twist on the classic game.
Set up a large mat with colored circles, and have players place their hands and feet on the corresponding colored circles as directed by a spinner.
Giant 4 Connect in a Row
Giant 4 Connect in a Row is a strategic game that involves connecting four colored discs in a row while preventing your opponent from doing the same.
Giant Inflatable Bowling
Giant Inflatable Bowling is a fun outdoor game that involves rolling a giant ball to knock down a set of inflatable pins.
Spikeball
Spikeball is a popular game that’s perfect for outdoor parties.
It’s a bit like volleyball, but you use a small trampoline-like net instead of a traditional net. It’s played 2 against 2 and you have to bounce the ball back and forth.
This game is great for both kids and adults and is sure to provide hours of entertainment.
Kan Jam Game
Kan Jam requires two teams. The game involves alternatively throwing and deflecting a flying disk towards two special cans that are set up opposite to one another.
The objective of the game is to score points by throwing the frisbee into the can or by deflecting it off the can and having your teammate catch it.
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