With the nice beautiful weather approaching this spring and summer, you’re going to want to be spending a lot more time outside. There will be BBQs, swim parties, casual get togethers, or maybe just an evening with your own family in your backyard. To help keep your friends and family entertained while spending time outside, try playing some of these fun outdoor backyard games that both kids and adults can play.
Source: ramblingsfromutopia.com
1. Pool Noodle Race
All kids love games where you race things and a pool noodle race will really get them excited. This backyard game is incredibly easy to make because all you really need is a pool noodle! You can have fun decorating it if you wish, but it’s not mandatory. Let the kiddos roll marbles or little cars down the noodles and see who’s the winner!
(If you’re interested in lots of DIY projects for you and the kids head over to Ramblings From Utopia where you’ll find lots of creative ideas).
Source: youplusmeforalways.blogspot.com
2. Yard Twister
Remember how much fun you had playing Twister as a kid? Why don’t we, as adults, play this anymore? The crazy, awkward positions we get ourselves in make everyone laugh and have a good time. With this version of Twister you can play it outside on your grass! Just spray some circles on the grass and put the foot/hand instructions on strips of paper in a cup so someone can pull them out and announce them. Everyone will thank you for bringing back this oldie, but goodie backyard game.
(Check out You + Me for a creative lifestyle blog that has lots of fun ideas for parties and baking).
Source: morganmoore.typepad.com
3. Ball Toss
This is a great game for both kids and adults. If you have bean bags, you can use those, otherwise just round up some balls you have laying around the house. I know with just my son alone we probably have 20-30 balls in our home. Put out some cups or bowls on the lawn with signs signifying how many points each cup/bowl is worth. Make sure the more difficult bowls are worth more points.
(For a fun lifestyle blog on traveling and yummy recipes, head over to One more Moore).
Source: mommadidit.blogspot.com
4. Glowing Ring Toss
If you’re in need of a game to do after the sun goes down, play some glowing ring toss! There are many ways to make this game, but one idea is to take the cardboard roll of an empty paper towel roll and tape it down onto a paper plate, or a piece of cardboard. Then, break open some glow stick rings and have at it! It’s perfect for all ages, and the kids will especially love the glow sticks.
(If you’re looking for ideas on how to do more in your life while using what you already have and spending less, check out Momma Did It for inspiration).
5. Giant Jenga
How fun does this giant Jenga set look? The best part is, that it would be very simple to make. All you have to do is buy some 2x4s at your local hardware or lumber store, and have them cut them to the size you want. Sand down the edges so they are smooth and won’t cut any of your guests. Although the blocks in this photo are painted, you don’t necessarily have to do that. Even without the paint, your friends and family are guaranteed to have a blast playing this game. It’s frightening enough when the regular size Jenga set falls down. Can you imagine how scary it would be when this giant version falls?
(For wonderfully creative and fun DIY projects, delicious recipes, and photography inspiration, check out A Beautiful Mess).
6. Target Practice
Since having a child I have learned that pool noodles are one of the best things to have laying around the house. They have so many uses, and the best part is that they are pretty cheap! How fun would this target practice station be to build in your backyard? You could throw “javelin” noodles, balls, bean bags, and so much more through the holes! Just put some stakes in the ground and slide the standing pool noodles in and let the games begin!
(For everything parent related including pregnancy information, crafts for kids, and recipes, head over to Parents and enjoy all the great things you find).
7. Obstacle Course
You can have two games in one if you make this game with the pool noodles. Instead of standing it up and using it to shoot things through, lay it down flat so you’ll have an obstacle course to jump through!
(For everything parent related including pregnancy information, crafts for kids, and recipes, head over to Parents and enjoy all the great things you find).
Source: brandon.macaronikid.com
8. Ice Block Scavenger Hunt
This game is perfect for kids on a hot summer day. They’ll enjoy cooling off as they dig through this ice block to find hidden treasures. All you have to do is freeze some water in a large container with toys, then let your child have at it. Give them safe things to chisel away at the ice with like paint brushes, spoons, or if they have a toy hammer they can use that as well. They’ll definitely enjoy cooling off with the ice when it’s hot outside.
(For family friendly activities and great ideas that kids will love head over to Macaroni Kid).
9. Water Blob
This project isn’t necessarily a “game,” but definitely something that both kids and adults could play on and have fun with. All it is is water filled plastic sheets that make a blob you can roll around on, slide on if wet, and so much more! What you’ll need to make this is large plastic sheeting from your local hardware store, duct tape, and a hose to fill the taped sheeting with water. Something so simple and easy can create an incredibly fun backyard game for the kids (and adults) to play on for hours!
(Clumsy Crafter has great craft ideas for kids as well as for your home that you’ll enjoy finding and creating).
10. Balloon Dart Board
Try bringing your dart game outside with this fun balloon version! All you need is a large piece of cardboard, some balloons, and some tape to secure the balloons the the board. Then, if you already have darts, use those, and if not you can usually find some in toy sections at the dollar store that might be safer for kids to use.
(She Knows is a wonderful resource when it comes to all things related to life, including relationships, food, health, crafts, and more).
11. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe
We all have extra sheets laying around, so why not put it to good use? Pull that sheet out, lay some duct tape on it in the tic-tac-toe pattern, and you’ve got yourself a giant tic-tac-toe board. For the game pieces you can use plates, rocks, or if you want to challenge yourselves, buy some frisbees and have the players throw the pieces on the sheet.
(For everything parent related including pregnancy information, crafts for kids, and recipes, head over to Parents and enjoy all the great things you find).
Source: scraphappyheather.blogspot.ca
12. Water Balloon Piñatas
If you don’t have a pool, this is a great way for the whole family to cool off on a hot summer day. Fill up some water balloons with water, then tie some rope to the end, and hang them up from a tree, a patio cover, a backyard playground, or anywhere there will be room to take some good wacks at these. Put on the blindfold and let the exploding water begin!
(Scrap Happy Heather is a great blog for craft and photography ideas for parties, the home, kids, and more).
13. Backyard Bowling
We always have plastic bottles that end up lying around the house, so why not turn those into a backyard game of bowling? Save 10 of them up, then paint them white, and you’ve got yourself some bowling pins. Set them up outside on a flat surface like a concrete patio or sidewalk and start bowling! You can use any one of your children’s balls like soccer balls, tennis balls, whatever works best for your size water bottles.
(Moonfrye is a fun and creative website for all crafting resources and ideas).
Source: ashleyannphotography.com
14. Laser Obstacle Course
Kids will love playing in this fake laser obstacle course. They’ve all seen spies do it in the movies, and they’ll finally love to try it themselves. String up some rope around some trees or anywhere in your backward where there is room for this game. Instead of using rope you could also use streamers or caution tape, which might make it a little more fun for them.
(Ashley Ann Photography is a wonderfully creative and inspiring photography website that can be a great resource for any life moment you want captured).
15. Nature Scavenger Hunt
One of my favorite things to do as a child was to go on a scavenger hunt. It’s great to keep kids occupied and to get them excited. You can have your own scavenger hunt in your own backyard. There’s even a free printable for you to use, or you can make up your own. Either way, the kids will love being outdoors and searching for things in nature.
Looking for more screen-free activities for the kids this summer? Check out our post on 10 terrific screen-free activities for your kids here!
Which of these backyard games did you try? Let us know in the comments below!
Mary Mulroney
Latest posts by Mary Mulroney (see all)
- 5 Easy Changes To A Healthier You - October 12, 2020
- 7 Great Resources For Affordable And Beautiful Rugs - October 12, 2020
- Tips For Switching To A Dairy-Free Diet - September 29, 2020
