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Last updated: June 10, 2022
We have all played classic games such as Jenga, Connect Four, chess, and checkers. But did you know there are also oversized versions of these games available that you can play outside?
And not just the classic games that we all know about. There are lots of other outdoor games that are so much more entertaining than watching TV or playing video games.
What’s great about these outdoor games is that they are not just fun to play, they are also very social and sometimes even educational. Some of these games also require real skills to be able to play them well.
Read on, as we reveal our top 10 giant yard games, perfect for backyard parties and get-togethers.
Top 10 Giant Yard Games:
Top 10 Giant Yard Games
Let’s get started, here are 10 oversized yard games for some serious outdoor backyard entertainment.
1. Giant Connect Four Game
Did you know that there are 4,531,985,219,092 positions possible on a classic Connect Four game board? And did you know that the first player can always force a win with perfect play?
It’s not entirely clear when the first ever Connect Four game (aka “Four-in-a-row”, “Four-in-a-line” or “Captain’s Mistress”) was invented or played, but it was first commercially sold as a game in 1974 by Milton Bradley (now owned by Hasbro).
Connect Four is one of the best games ever invented, and with this oversized board measuring 48 inches wide and 46 inches high, you can now also play it outside.
2. Oversized Jenga Game
Jenga was invented in the 1970s by Leslie Scott, a British board game designer and author. Named after a Swahili word meaning “to build”, Jenga was first sold as a commercial game in the early 1980s and quickly became a household name.
How does this fun game work? Players need to each remove one block at a time from a tower that consists of 54 identical blocks. Each removed block then needs to be balanced on top of the tower which makes the tower progressively taller but also less stable.
The main rule is simple: the tower must not collapse! Jenga is a game that requires physical, psychological as well as strategic skills. You need to have nerves of steel to safely remove a block and make it more difficult for the next player to remove one.
This oversized Jenga version comes with 54 hardwood blocks that are more than 8 times the size of the original Jenga blocks!
My list of the best giant Jenga sets for outdoor use.
3. Giant Outdoor Chess
What’s cool about playing a game of giant outdoor chess is that you can actually play in teams and you can also get spectators involved. Because the board is so big, you’ll have a much better overview of the game, and others can join in and help with the strategy.
So, instead of playing one-against-one on a normal-sized board, with this giant chess set, the game becomes a lot more social.
This heavy-duty nylon chess mat measure 9 by 9 feet when fully opened and has 13-inch squares. Each piece has a base diameter of just over 9 inches and the tallest piece, the king, is 25 inches high. Get some friends or family together and play a game in the backyard or the park!
4. Giant Outdoor Checkers
Checkers is one of the oldest and most popular board games on this list and has a very rich history. Various games similar to checkers have been around for thousands of years, and even today many different versions of checkers exist.
The most common version in the USA is American Checkers – aka “Straight Checkers”, or “English Draughts”, which is played on an 8×8 board with 12 pieces per side.
Of course, an oversized version of the old checkers game should be included in our list of best giant yard games. This particular checkers set includes a 4 ft x 4 ft board and 5-inch diameter solid foam mega checkers pieces. What’s more, the board can even be rearranged into a giant Tic Tac Toe game!
5. Mega Yard Dice
Some of the most popular and famous games, such as Yathzee, Mexico and Bunco, can be played with just dice. So wouldn’t it be awesome if we could play these games with giant yard dice?
This vintage set comes with a jute fiber drawstring bag, 6 solid wood 3.5 inches dice with branded pips, and a game card with directions for 4 different dice games. Let the fun begin!
6. Giant Beer Pong
Some of us may have very fond memories of playing beer pong and we know how much fun this party drinking game can be. The good news is that there’s also a supersized version of beer pong! But do not worry, there is not much beer involved with this giant beer pong set.
The BucketBall game set – as it’s officially called – is a fun game for all ages and comes with 12 buckets (6 blue and 6 red), 2 game balls, a tote bag, and instructions. The whole set is very compact, portable, and lightweight, perfect for holidays or for that lazy Sunday afternoon.
7. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Most of us will know how tic-tac-toe works. It’s not the most complicated game out there, and we have all played a few games when we were younger. What’s great is that this classic game is now also available in an oversized format, turning it into a super fun backyard game for all ages.
The lines of this version are sturdy PVC pipes connected with easy to assemble joints. The X’s and the O’s are painted on small frisbees, which you can lay down or otherwise throw, to make the game a bit more complicated.
8. Parachute Game
Parachute games are great for young kids, as they can keep them entertained in many different ways whilst also offering educational value. All you need is one big multi-color parachute, and the amount of games that can be played with it is endless.
One of my favorite parachute games is the Cross the Bridge game, where a child, when their name is called, needs to run underneath the parachute to the other side without getting trapped. Another fun version is the Balloon game, where a bunch of balloons needs to be catapulted into the air.
My list with the top 15 parachute games for kids.
9. Giant Dominoes
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What’s great about dominoes is the combination of simplicity and diversity. Dominoes are building blocks with which you can play numerous different games, from very basic to frustratingly complex.
It is believed that the first dominoes-like games were played in China in the 12th century. First introduced to Europe in the 17th century, Dominoes is now one of the most played board games in the western world.
This giant dominoes set includes 7 inches high jumbo pieces and a heavy-duty canvas drawstring carrying bag for easy transportation and safe storage. Take this ancient old game outside for some great fun in the sun!
My list of the best giant connect 4 game sets.
10. Giant Bowling Game
Standing 29 inches tall, trying to knock over these huge pins with an even more impressive bowling ball is guaranteed fun for young kids.
This giant bowling game set includes 6 inflatable oversized pins with sturdy flat cardboard and an inflatable ball with a stretchy cover.
