Summer is here and the backyard is ready for prime time. We’ve been looking forward to some time off for the Fourth of July with friends and family and it got me to thinking, how are we going to keep everyone entertained? So after scouring the internet looking for creative backyard game ideas, I stumbled upon some off the wall out of the box ideas. Whether you are keeping a yard full of kids entertained or hosting an impromptu wine and cheese party with the neighbors, we’ve found the 10 best backyard games for kids and adults that you might not have thought of and you’ll definitely want to check out!
1. Giant Jenga
We all remember playing the classic block-stacking game on a coffee table or kitchen counter, getting anxious when the blocks started to tilt and waiver. Little did I know there is a life-size version you have to check out…the anxiety and excitement is magnified.
Great for kids or adults, this will be a hit at the next gathering.
2. Lawn Bowling
Even if your outdoor space isn’t massive you can still find room for a backyard bowling alley! Pick up a ready-made candle pin bowling alley kit or build your own with milk cartons and a rubber ball.
TIP – Use marking spray to delineate boundary lines on your lawn for a variety of games. For instance mark off lanes for backyard bowling. It comes in many different colors and washes away over time or with mineral spirits.
3. Jumbo Lawn Checkers
Form teams of two and have a checkers elimination tournament on your lawn, deck, or patio. We found this 4×4 Jumbo Checker Mat that will change the way you and your friends look at checkers!
4. Kan Jam
If you haven’t heard of Kan Jam you have to check it out. It’s frisbee meets ring toss and it is totally addictive. Kan Jam is said to have started in New York in the 80’s as garbage can toss by two kids messing around. The game has evolved into teams of two throwing and deflecting the disc from and to the target can. Kan Jam is great for the beach as well.
TIP – think about setting up string lights on a fence or in a tree so you can keep the games going well after dark. Solar rope lights are another great option to light up your oversized outdoor games!
5. Super Sized Chess
Hold neighborhood chess tournaments on with a giant chess set. We found this chess set complete with 16″ king piece. This is the kind of thing you see on cruise ships. Great for teaching the kids as well.
6. Cornhole
Pick up a tournament cornhole set and play head to head or in teams of two. Find a nice flat surface on 
your lawn. Set up your boards directly facing each other with 27 feet between the front edge of each board. Pick which side of the board you’ll throw from. In a 4-player game, your partner’s pitching box will be directly across from you. In a 2-player game, if you start throwing from the left side of the board, you’ll walk directly across to the other board, and throw back from the right side. Lastly, pick your bags (4 for each team) and get ready to play!
Or build your own cornhole boards. This is a great DIY site with all the instructions you need to get started.
7. Washer Toss
If you don’t have enough space for a regulation cornhole set up – check out these washer toss games. It’s essentially the same idea but with a smaller target area you don’t need to place the targets as far away. Another addicting game for adults and kids.
8. Life Size Scrabble
Take the classic board game into the backyard with these oversized letter tiles. Set up teams and the longer you play the bigger the game becomes…literally!
9. Disc Golf Game Set
Disc golf is a flying disc game in which players throw a flying disc at the target. A player is charged one point every time the disc is thrown; the goal is to have the least number of throws and the lowest score! A hole is completed when a thrown disc lands inside the target basket.
10. Soccer Bocce Set
A new twist on Bocce. Kick the balls instead of tossing them. The traditional heavy bocce balls are replaced with mini inflatable soccer bocce balls plus you can play inside as the balls won’t harm furniture or floors.
So as you can see there a ton of out of the box backyard game ideas that will keep the kids entertained and the party going.
