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Best Yard Games for Outdoor Parties: Adult and Kid Friendly

Are you hosting a get-together? Want to keep your guests entertained? Here are some of the best yard games for your next outdoor party. There’s something for everyone, from classics like croquet and badminton to newer games like Corn hole and Kan Jam. So break out the lawn chairs and sunscreen and get ready to have some fun.

Whether you’re looking to keep the little ones busy or want something to do with friends and family, yard games are a great option. Check out these outdoor games that are perfect for all ages.

Cornhole

Cornhole is a typical backyard game common at family get-togethers because it is easy for everyone to play.

In a variation of the bean bag toss, players or teams take turns attempting to throw bean bags into a hole at the far end of a sloping platform.

Picture of people playing yard games, specifically cornhole.

You can find instructions online to make your own corn hole set or buy one from online stores. The boards are placed facing each other 27 feet apart. Players take turns throwing a bean bag. If they make it through the hole, that is worth 3 points, and for each bag that remains on the board, it’s worth one point. A player must score precisely 21 points to win.

If a player exceeds 21, he loses ten points and starts with 11 points. The rules for winning can vary – some prefer a set number of rounds after which the player with the most points wins.

Horseshoes

Another fun yard game that involves throwing is horseshoes. The goal is to throw horseshoes at a stake, seeing how close you can get. The more points a player will score, the closer the horseshoe is to the stake.

Each player throws two shots. The player scores three points if a horseshoe surrounds the stake, called a timbre.

If a horseshoe ends up leaning against a stake, known as thinner, the player scores a point.

Picture of people playing horseshoes,

If both thrown horseshoes land closer to the stake than the other players, the player with the closest horseshoes scores two points.

You can set the number of points required to win or the number of rounds to be played and then declare a winner. Amazon sells a variety of horseshoe sets that are good for all ages and skill levels.

Ring toss

Feel like you’ve never gotten old with this portable backyard ring toss game. It instantly transports you back to your childhood from summer days by throwing rings on the lawn. Not only will everyone have fun and be active, but your hand-eye coordination will improve the more often you play.

To set up this fun-filled game, five plastic poles are placed in the holes of the four ends and center of a wooden cross.

Players take tries tossing the five rings at the poles. You can make your own set or buy a commercial one.

Picture of a ring toss game.

We set up ring toss for the young kids to play to keep them occupied while the adults play a serious game of cornhole. However, it’s a perfect game for the whole family.

All family members can join this game, laugh with each other and enjoy the family time we love. The ring toss game is suitable to play indoors and outdoors. Ring toss is our go-to game for the kids’ birthday parties.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a simple backyard game that’s a lot of fun for all ages.

Although we only play for fun, there are some basic rules of volleyball you need to follow, such as rotating positions and not hitting the net.

Picture of a family playing volleyball in the backyard.

You can play with a large or small group. We often play during holiday gatherings at my daughter’s house, and we typically start off with 5 players per side and switch up teams to keep it competitive.

Bocce Ball

Bocce ball is a great game to play outdoors. It is easy to learn but can be challenging to perfect.

The game’s object is to throw balls close to the target ball, called the Pallino.

Whoever gets the most balls closer to the Pallino scores.

Picture of a bocce ball court.

The first team to score twelve points wins. You can play Bocce ball anywhere you have enough room to toss the balls around, so it’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings. Give bocce ball a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Croquet

Croquet is a lawn game that people of all ages can enjoy.

It is played with wooden mallets and balls, and the object of the game is to hit the ball through the hoops on the course.

Picture of a person playing croquet.

Croquet can be played as singles or doubles, and it is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family.

You’ll need croquet set to play, which includes several mallets and wickets. Next, choose an open area to play in. The size of the playing area will depend on how many players are involved in the game.

Try to keep your shots low. You don’t want to send the ball too far and risk passing the hoop; to advance, the ball must pass through in the correct direction, so aim carefully. If your ball goes off the course, it’s out of bounds, and you’ll lose a turn. I find that croquet is the funniest when playing with at least six players. Have fun and good luck!

Badminton

Badminton is an excellent sport for children to learn. It develops agility, coordination, and balance while providing plenty of exercise.

In addition, badminton is a lot of fun.

Picture of the yard game, badminton.

Badminton is a game of strategy and concentration; it’s played with racquets and a shuttlecock. The object is for each competitor to hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it in the designated court area.

There will be a rally if your opponent manages to return this. Twenty-one points are required for victory. Points can come from either serving (with equal opportunities). This fun yard game is included in the Olympics. In addition to being fun, badminton is one of the yard games that incorporates cardio activity.

Kan Jam

The object of Kan Jam is to throw a disc into a plastic container, or “kan.” You play with a teammate that can deflect the thrown disco in the kan.

Picture of a family playing kan jam

It’s easy to learn how to play Kan Jam, and it’s a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Whether you’re spending a lazy summer day outdoors or looking for something new to do during a pretty day, Kan Jam is a perfect choice.

Chippo

You don’t need to get out of bed early to go to the local course for your golfing passions since you can set up the Chippo game in your backyard and exercise your short game at home.

Chippo, as they describe him, is the “glorious son of the love of golf and cornhole,” and if that doesn’t pull you in, after trying to hit one of those foam balls into the net and failing several times, you’ll quickly get sucked into wanting to conquer the game.

Outdoor Games Activities- An Overlooked Therapy to Revitalize

However, you should bear in mind that a good balance between staying at home and doing outdoor activities is not only necessary but also has many benefits: it increases energy levels, helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, encourages socialization, strengthens family ties, and provides the development of various physical abilities, among many other favorable aspects.

Benefits of Yard Games

No matter the social atmosphere, when temperatures start to rise, collecting some vitamin D and fresh air, even in the backyard or neighborhood park, is good for the mind, body, and soul.

The yard games are an exciting way to bring the family together or rejoin your best buddies through good old-fashioned competition.

While the cure for boredom and confined madness is very important these days, gardening games for adults should offer more than just a chance to pass the time.

However, when the board games and puzzles look less enticing, the yard games offer stress-reducing fun, and it is downright fun.

Below is a YouTube video that shows how you can DIY yard games.

Conclusion

These outdoor yard games develop your wit and encourage teamwork and good health for young and old. I suggest you find some time a week to carry out these types of activities with the youngest members of the family or to share these ideas with your friends so that you can enjoy all of the funniest outdoor games.