20 Backyard Games That Will Provide Hours of Outdoor Fun This Summer

Cornhole Game

Photo: Stock Photos from David Prahl/Shutterstock
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One of the great joys of summer is spending time in the backyard (or a park), enjoying the warm weather and the company of others. Adding to this cherished time of year are the games that can be played outside. These types of activities are geared toward groups and are an endless source of fun for both kids and adults. They're also simple enough for everyone to learn—but generally impossible to master, making it anyone’s game to win and a fantastic way to get some friendly competition going.

Some of the most popular backyard games are supersized versions of things you’d play indoors. Jenga, the anxiety-inducing stacking game, has been reimagined as a large tower of blocks perfect for a patio. And for fans of the classic Yahtzee, there’s now Yardzee, a dice game for the lawn. There’s even a giant Connect-Four-style game that can be set up outside (and played standing up) for hours of fun for the whole family.

Other games test your hand-eye coordination, whether it's throwing bean bags in a classic game of cornhole or landing a ball on a ladder toss game. For those who enjoy classic lawn games, bocce, frisbee, badminton, and croquet all make excellent choices. And with advances like light-up frisbees and shuttlecocks, you can keep playing your favorite outdoor game well after the sun goes down.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to see some of our favorite yard games.

Make your outdoor parties fun with these backyard games.

Toppling Timbers Game

Toppling Timbers

TailgatingPros | $74.85+

 

Hook and Ring Game

Hook and String Game

Tap Crafters | $25.29+

 

Bocce Ball Set

Bocce Set

GoSports | $39.99

 

Yardzee Dice Lawn Game

Yardzee Lawn Dice Game

Ropoda Store | $39.99

 

Four in a Row Game (With Carrying Case)

Outdoor Four in a Row Game

Swooc Games | $159.99

 

Giant Tic-Tac-Toe

 

Reusable Water Balloons (Set of 12)

 

Wooden Lawn Bowling Game

Set Of Wooden Lawn Bowling Pins And Two Balls

Sterling | $69.95

 

Cornhole Set (With Carrying Case)

Cornhole Game

Tailgating Pros | $144.85+

 

Leaning Axe and Knife Throwing Target

 

Rustic Ring Toss Game

Ring Toss

JnJ Handmade | $49.99+

 

Wooden Ladder Toss Game

Wooden Ladder Toss Game

Swooc Games | $119.99

 

Scavenger Hunt Tokens

 

Light Up Frisbee

Light Up Frisbee

TOSY | $59.99

 

3-In-1 Giant Checkers, Chess, and Tic Tac Toe Game

Picture Of Man Playing 3 In 1 Chess Checkers And Tic Tac Toe Game

Swooc Games | $49.99

 

Giant Wooden Yard Dominoes

 

Ball Catch Set

Ball Catch Set

Jalunth | $19.99

 

Giant Kick Darts

Giant Kick Darts

Swooc Games | $199.99

 

Glow in the Dark Badminton Birdies

 

Giant Kick Croquet

Giant Kick Croquet

Kovot | $29.99

 

This article has been edited and updated. Prices were accurate at time of publishing.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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