They say the best family time is spent outdoors, and I couldn’t agree more. That belief is why I’ve always put so much effort into creating my dream backyard.
One of the best ways to enjoy a backyard is by playing outdoor games with family and friends. It’s a simple way to spend an afternoon outside while bonding with the people you care about.
In this article, I’ll share my top 12 backyard games that are fun for all ages and fitness levels.
1. Cornhole
Let’s start with a backyard favorite, cornhole. It’s one of the easiest games to learn and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
There are plenty of stories about the history of cornhole, many of which are more myth than fact. What we do know is that the first patent for a game similar to modern cornhole was filed as early as 1883.
Since then, cornhole has become one of the most popular games at tailgating parties, parks, beaches, college campuses, and backyards. The objective is simple. Players take turns tossing small bean bags onto a wooden platform with a hole near the top. You score points if the bag lands on the platform or goes through the hole.
For a full breakdown of the rules, check out my beginner’s guide to playing cornhole. And if you’re looking to buy a set, see my list of the best cornhole boards with affordable recommendations.
2. Bocce Ball
It may be one of the oldest games around, but bocce ball is easy to learn and doesn’t require much equipment. That makes it a perfect backyard game for families.
A standard bocce ball set comes with eight larger balls, usually in two colors, and one smaller ball called the jack or pallino, which serves as the target.
The goal is simple. Players take turns tossing or rolling their balls, trying to land them as close to the target ball as possible. Teams or individuals alternate turns until all balls have been thrown.
If you’re looking to get a set for your backyard, check out my list of the best bocce ball sets with quality and affordable options.
3. Croquet
Croquet is another backyard game with a long history, but despite its fancy name, it’s actually quite simple and a lot of fun.
A typical recreational croquet set includes 4 or 6 mallets, 4 or 6 balls, nine hoops called wickets, and two marker poles called stakes.
There are a few variations of the game, but the 9-wicket version is the one most commonly played in backyards. The wickets are set up in a specific formation, and the goal is to hit your balls through them in the correct order.
For a full breakdown of the rules, check out my beginner’s guide to croquet, which covers everything you need to get started. And if you’re ready to play, take a look at my list of best croquet sets available online.
4. Washer Toss
Also known as washer pitching, tailgate toss, or simply washers, this game is similar to cornhole and horseshoes. The goal is to toss an object and get it as close as possible to a target.
In washer toss, players throw small round washers into a square box to score points. Extra points are awarded if the washer lands in the small cup at the center of the box, which is the ultimate goal.
It might sound easy, but it takes some practice to get good at it. The setup is simple, and there are plenty of affordable washer toss sets you can buy online.
5. Horseshoes
Also known as horseshoe pitching, horseshoes is a classic lawn game that’s perfect for backyard barbecues and tailgate parties.
The game is simple. Players take turns tossing horseshoe-shaped objects toward a metal stake set in a lawn or sandbox area. It’s often played in teams of two, but it can also be played one-on-one, making it a great choice for family gatherings.
While horseshoe pitching is easy to learn, it is also taken seriously as a competitive sport, with national championships and even an official national association.
If you’d like to give it a try, check out my guide to the best horseshoe game sets, where I share quality and affordable options for beginners.
6. Ladder Ball Toss
You might know ladder ball toss as lasso golf, and as the name suggests, this fun backyard game involves throwing two balls tied together onto a ladder-shaped target.
Think of it like seeing a pair of shoes tied together and hanging over a power line. The setup is simple, with two ladders that have three rungs each and six sets of bolas in two different colors.
The goal is to toss the bolas so they wrap around a rung to score points. It sounds easy, but it takes some practice to master. If you’re ready to give it a go, check out my list of the best ladder ball toss sets for some great options to buy online.
7. Kubb
Kubb is a traditional Swedish outdoor game that feels like a mix between bowling and horseshoes. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and great for the whole family.
The game involves throwing wooden batons at wooden blocks, called kubbs, to knock them over. A larger block, known as the king, is placed in the center of the field.
Two teams face off from opposite sides, trying to knock over the other team’s kubbs. Once all of an opponent’s kubbs are down, a team can aim for the king to win the game.
If you’d like to learn more, check out my guide to playing kubb, which explains the rules and field setup. And if you’re ready to play, see my list of the best Kubb sets you can buy online.
8. Spikeball
Spikeball is more like a sport than a casual game, but with its small setup and easy-to-learn rules, it’s perfect for a fun backyard activity with the family.
Originally called Roundnet, spikeball is similar to beach volleyball. Two teams of two players compete using a small ball and a circular net on legs placed in the center of the playing area.
To learn more about the rules, check out my guide to playing spikeball. It takes some practice to get good at it, but that just makes it more fun. Grab a net, head to the backyard, and enjoy this fast-paced and energetic game.
9. Molkky
Molkky is a Finnish throwing game that combines elements of billiards and bowling. It requires a bit of strategy, decent throwing skills, and a touch of luck.
The playing field has 12 numbered pins, or skittles, arranged from 1 to 12. Players take turns tossing a wooden skittle, called the Molkky, to knock them over.
As the game goes on, the scoring system and changing pin positions make it more challenging and strategic. To learn more, check out my guide to playing Molkky, which explains the rules, field setup, and scoring system.
10. Tetherball
Tetherball is a fun backyard game that kids and adults alike can enjoy, and a tetherball court is easy to set up.
The concept is simple. Two players take turns hitting a ball that’s attached to a pole with a rope. The goal is to wrap the rope completely around the pole so the opponent can no longer hit the ball.
For a full breakdown of the rules, check out my guide to playing tetherball.
11. Ring Toss
Ring toss is a simple game that kids especially enjoy because it’s easy to learn, quick to set up, and can be played almost anywhere.
A standard ring toss set includes a small base with five pegs. Players take turns tossing rings, usually made of plastic or rope, aiming to land them around the pegs. Points are scored based on which pegs the rings land on and whether the rings are touching the pegs.
For kids, it’s a fun way to improve coordination while playing outside. For adults, ring toss is a relaxing backyard game that can easily fill a couple of hours.
12. Hide and Seek
The final game on this list doesn’t need any equipment, yet it might be the most entertaining of them all.
Hide and seek is a simple game at its core, but there are rules you may not know and plenty of variations you can try with your kids to keep it exciting.
If your backyard isn’t big enough, you can include some indoor areas of your house or head to a nearby park with plenty of trees.
Check out my guide to playing hide and seek, where I cover the basic rules and share a few fun variations.
