Yard games are some of my absolute favorite Summer activities. Why? Because they are so much FUN! They are activity for entire families to play together – so check out our list of games, then pick one (or two) to get the grandparents, kids, aunts, uncles, and parents together and play some of the fun outdoor family games we share below!
Our curated collection includes outdoor family games in a variety of price points. We share the price range for each game underneath it (along with other pertinent information like suggested age range, how to play, and what’s included with the game), then you can click on the ‘view price’ button underneath an item to see the exact current price on Amazon.
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1. Spikeball Game Set
Spikeball is an exciting, very highly-rated new game that is similar to volleyball, but in an entirely different (and more compact) layout. It’s an active game that is designed to be played outdoors. Great fun for kids preteen aged and up. Includes Playing Net, 3 Balls, Drawstring Bag, Rule Book. Learn more about it and see a video of how it’s played in our shop or click the button below to see the current price on Amazon.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: 10-years-old and over. (Very fun for preteens, teenagers, and adults, too!)
2. Corn Hole Game Set
Corn hole is a classic yard game that’s fantastic for the whole family. It’s played by tossing bean bags onto or through the hole in the board to score points. Can be played with 2-4 players. This set is made to last and the boards are regulation size. This set includes 2 boards, 8 all-weather regulation bean bags, and the game rules.
Price Range: $$$$ ($100+) *See a less expensive, more portable corn hole game set here.
Recommended Age Range: 8-years-old and over. (Fun for the whole family)
3. Bocce Ball Game Set
Bocce ball is another classic, backyard game that is fun to play for the whole family. It’s best played in large, open areas like big backyards, or the beach, or at the park. It can be played by 2-6 players (teams with 6) throwing the bocce balls and aiming for the smaller, pallino ball. This set is a high-quality set by Rally and Roar that is available in two sizes: 100mm regulation size or 90mm. This set includes the 8 weighted, balanced resin bocce balls, a pallino, a measuring tape, and a water-resistant canvas carrying case. Learn more about it on our site or click the button below to see it on Amazon.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 6-years-old through adults.
4. Molkky Original Game
Molkky is the most popular game in Europe. It combined aspects of bocce and bowling plus a fun twist on how points are accumulated, to create a unique, exciting, and fun game that’s great for the whole game, especially children over 7-years-old up through adults. It’s a completely wooden game, complete with a wooden storage container. Watch a video to see Molkky is played on the Molkky product page or by clicking the view price button below to watch it on Amazon.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 7-years-old through adults.
5. Kan Jam Ultimate Disc Game
If you haven’t played Kan Jam before, here’s a very quick run-down: it’s a game that is usually played with 4 people that involves aiming a frisbee either through the hole in the front or top of the kan (receptacle). It does require some disc skill and a good amount of aim, which is why we recommend playing it with children and adults over the age of 10-years-old. Learn more about Kan Jam on our site or click the button below to see the current price on Amazon. Available in USA and Glow-in-the-dark options.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 10-years-old through adults.
6. Wall Ring Toss Game
This ring toss game is a ton of fun. It’s good for a quick game, or can be played for longer games, too. A great game to add to a front porch or back deck, or attached to a tree in the yard. A fantastic option for smaller yards or family homes without yards or large clearing since minimal space is needed for this game. Available in 12-inch and 20-inch sizes. Learn more about it in our shop.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 7-years-old through adults.
7. Goodminton Racket Game
So you’ve heard of badminton, right? This is Goodminton, a game made by VIAHART that is very similar to badminton, except – there is no net, and therefore, no set-up! It’s easy to play racket game for children and adults alike. The set includes 2 Paddles and 4 Birdies (2 Slow and 2 Fast) in a Reusable Mesh Bag. This game is the least expensive game on this list, so if you’re looking for a family yard game that’s less expensive, this game is for you! Learn more about it on our Goodminton product page or click the view price button below to see it on Amazon.
Price Range: $ ($1-25)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 6-years-old through adults.
8. Rollors Game
Rollors is a fun backyard game that combines elements of bocce, bowling, and horseshoes. It is a great game for children and adults to play for years of good, clean backyard fun. In comparison to the other outdoor family games on this list, this backyard game is better suited for families with younger children since it can be played by children ages 4-years-old and over. See how the game is played in the video on our Rollors Backyard Game page or learn more through the button below.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: Children ages 6-years-old and over. *Younger children can play this game, too, however, they will most likely need additional guidance.
9. Frisbee Golf Set
Turn frisbee into a more serious game with a professional Disc Golf Starter Set. You can either use the discs to toss some serious frisbee, or find a disc golf course near you (some towns and city centers, Philadelphia, for example, have fantastic disc golf courses that are a ton of fun!) This set includes the following discs: a putter, mid-range, and long distance frisbee, plus a carrying case. Add a steel construction Disc Golf Basket to make it a game you can play in your backyard.
Price Range: $$ ($25-50)
Recommended Age Range: 10-years-old and over.
10. Ladder Toss Game
Ladder toss is a lawn game that is played by 2-4 players who throw the bolas (2 balls connected by a string) on a ladder-shaped ‘goal zone’. This set is made by Maranda Enterprises. It is a heavy duty set, made with two durable steel construction goals. The bolas are made of soft plastic. The set includes 3 blue bolas and 3 red bolas as well as instructions and a storage bag for easy transport. This game is a fantastic game for cook-outs, parties, or to simply play in the yard with the family.
Price Range: $$$ ($50-100)
Recommended Age Range: 8-years-old and over.
11. Horseshoes Set
Everyone knows how to play horseshoes, so I’m going to skip the explanation here. This set is a heavy-duty, highly-rated, forged steel shoes and solid steel pikes. We recommend this set only for families with older children who understand that steel horseshoes must be thrown carefully. *We recommend a rubber horseshoe set for families with younger children. Horseshoes are a fantastic, classic backyard game for families that can be set up and used over and over again for years to come. They are a great addition to any backyard that has room for them.
Price Range: $$$ ($50-100)
Recommended Age Range: 10-years-old and over.
Giant Backyard Games
12. Giant Connect Four Game
This giant version of Connect Four is a great game for children and adults to play for years of good, clean backyard fun. Easy to play with children ages 5+. Perfect for families who have lots of cookouts or play outside with friends or neighbors often. Read our full product description in our Giant Connect Four product listing.
Price Range: $$$ ($50-100)
Recommended Age Range: children ages 5-years-old and over.
13. Giant Yard Yahtzee Game
Yard Yahtzee for those who want to play life-sized Yahtzee in the backyard! This game can be played by up to 5 players and is great for families with children ages 5+, although younger children can play too with help from an adult. The wooden dice are 3.5” x 3.5” x 3.5” and made of sustainably sourced New Zealand pine. They are sealed with burned dots and weather resistant. They also have rounded edges for safety and comfort. This set is made by Splinter Woodworking Co. The game set includes 6 giant wooden dice, bucket with lid, Yardzee & Farkle scorecards, instructions, and dry erase marker.
Price Range: $$$ ($50-100)
Recommended Age Range: 5-years-old and over.
14. Giant Jenga Backyard Game
Giant Jenga takes the fun and easy game of Jenga and makes it lifesize! A fantastic, easy, fun, game for backyard BBQ’s, birthday parties, picnics, tailgating, group events, camping trips, and backyard fun, this game is a fantastic addition to families with children and adults of all ages. Anyone can play giant Jenga. This set is made by a company called Yard Games, and they call the game ‘Tumbling Timbers’. This set includes 56 7.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.5″ timbers that are sanded with rounded corners. Note that the wood is not varnished or sealed, so this game is not intended to be played in the rain or get wet (although you could seal them yourself if you’d like!) The game starts with 19 levels of timbers 2.5-feet tall (can grow to over 5-feet while playing ). Includes a nylon carrying case for easy transport of blocks.
Price Range: $$$ ($50-100)
Recommended Age Range: 5-years-old and over.
How We Choose our Family Outdoor Game List
Outdoor games are a great way to bring everyone together and do something fun. This outdoor game compilation shares games that require little thought or strategy, but are just fun to and can be played by kids, , and parents alike. The games we share above are fun for a very wide variety of ages, making them fantastic for families with very young children, tweens, teenagers, and adults. Keep in mind that when playing with younger children, some of these games may need a little help or coaching from older players. Some of these games would be fantastic outdoor games for tweens, since they are less kiddish, and more all-around fun for everyone. They would be great to use as party games for tweens with birthday’s in the warmer months, or just a great game to have around as outdoor activities for teenagers. Most of the games we share here are also fun for adults. At night, many of them can also turn into drinking games or more casual games for adults to play together after the kids are in bed (especially corn hole, bocce ball, and the wall ring toss game).
Some of the outdoor games we share might be new to you, but we’ve also included more classic games as well, so you have a nice assortment where you can stick to the classics, or branch out to try something new. Keep in mind that most of the new or lesser-known games have videos on their product pages, so you can see exactly how the game is played. *Molkky is an especially fun game that we highly recommend watching the video for on it’s product page to see how it’s played – (click here to watch) We think that any of the outdoor family games we shared in this article would make a great addition to bring to the lake house or take on the annual family beach house trip.
The Importance of Family Fun
Its no secret that it’s important to spend quality time with your family. Quality time helps strengthen family relationships, build positive memories, and opportunities to make new bonds and experience things together as a family unit. Investing in family-friendly backyard games or gifting them for upcoming holidays or birthdays are a great way to plan on more family time. They are a great option for scheduled family game night or setting the intention to be more present as a family.
Outdoor Games for Kids, Tweens, Teens, and Families
Many of the games we share in this article are fun outdoor yard games for families, or even just for the kids or the parents to play on their own, making them a fantastic gift for a housewarming present, or a gift for an outdoorsy dad or mom, or even a gift for your niece, nephew or grandkid – just make sure you stick around after the gift-giving to play a game or two!
The Positive Effects of Playing Social and Physical Outdoor Games: We like to share toys, activities, and games that promote outdoor play to help get children and adults alike outside more, enjoying the sun and each other’s company, rather than inside watching a television screen or playing video games. Play social games that involve physical activity have a variety of positive effects.
The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children
For children, playing outside is important for a variety of reasons. Below are a couple of the positive effects outdoor play has on children and their development:
- Builds physically healthier children.
- Contributes to more cognitive and social/emotional development.
- Increases attention spans.
- Increases overall happiness
- Strengthens their immune system.
The Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity in general is good for children (and adults) because it strengthens the heart, keeps arteries and veins clear, strengthens the lungs, reduces blood sugar levels, controls weight, strengthens bones, prevents cancer, and has nearly endless other physically positive effects on your physical health (mental, too!)
The Benefits of Play
Playing social games with others helps children and adults boost creativity, strengthen our connections to others, improve our social skills, helps us to cooperate with others, and it can also helps us to heal emotional wounds.
Combining Outdoor Play + Physical Activity + Playing Games = A Positive Experience for All.
This is why considering an outdoor game that’s fun for the whole family is a fantastic gift to consider giving to either your own family, or a child, tween, or parent that you know that could use a new, fun outdoor family game like the games we share in this article.
Tell us in the comments below!
Which game do you like best? Are any of the family friendly outdoor games we share new to you? Are there any games we didn’t include in our outdoor family game list that you think we should add?