22 Best Backyard Games for Summer Fun

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
Sun’s out, games out! When summer rolls in with all its sunshine and long evenings, there’s no better place to be than your own backyard—especially when you’ve got the right games to keep everyone entertained. Whether you’re planning a laid-back BBQ, a birthday bash, or just a casual hang with family and friends, backyard games are the secret sauce for summer fun. They’re easy to set up, don’t require a ton of space, and best of all, they bring people together—whether you’re feeling competitive or just want a good laugh.
From crowd-pleasing classics like cornhole and ladder toss to oversized versions of Jenga and Connect Four, there’s something here for every vibe and age group. You can keep it light and laid-back, or go full tournament-style if you’ve got a competitive crew! And yes, the kids will love these too (bonus: it’ll probably tire out the little ones, too.) So grab a cold drink, kick off your shoes, and get ready to turn your backyard into the ultimate summer retreat. Let the games begin!
01
Win SPORTS Outdoor Rubber Horseshoes Set
Amazon
$20.55
02
Spikeball The Original Kit 1-Ball Game Set
Amazon
$63.99
Looking for a game that’ll keep teens, adults, and even a few brave kids entertained for hours? Spikeball brings the heat. This fast-paced game is part volleyball, part four square, and 100% fun. Best of all, it sets up in minutes and works on grass, sand, or even indoors—so the fun doesn’t have to stop when the weather turns!
03
Mattel Games Outdoor Toss Across
Amazon
$21.84
Take the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe, add some bean bags, and you’ve got Toss Across—a backyard game that’s fun for the whole family. To play, simply aim your bean bags at the triangular targets and try to line up three in a row. It’s a fun, simple challenge that’ll have your friends and family hooked in no time!
04
Pastel & Rainbow Inflatable Backyard Bowling Set
Funboy
$49.00
Reviewers love this set for its versatility, top-notch quality, and stylish design, with one happy customer saying, “Adorable! FUNBOY hits it out of the park again. Everything is expertly made, right down to the printed finger holes on the ball. What a blast!” Set up the six inflatable bowling pins on the grass and take turns rolling the blow-up ball to get a strike. First one to get a strike wins an ice cream cone!
05
Waloo Sports Jumbo Reversible Checkers & Tic Tac Toe Set
Wayfair
$39.99
This game was a big hit with both parents and grandparents, who loved how it encouraged kids to get outdoors and take a break from screens. Plus, it comes with a handy carrying case for storage and travel. One 5-star reviewer shared, “Bought the game to keep the kids busy while camping. They had a blast playing family games together instead of glued to their tablets. Game is easy to transport and pack around for fun everywhere!”
06
Jumbo 4-to-Score Giant Game Set
Wayfair
$145.99
Competition will be fierce for this jumbo 4-to-score game. It’s even offered in a few fun colors so you can choose one that matches your style perfectly. Reviewers rave about this set’s easy setup, clever built-in storage, and how it steals the show at special events, from birthday parties to backyard BBQs. “It was a huge hit at our graduation party last year…now the family enjoys it every time we are outside!”
07
JoncAye Pickleball Equipment Set
Amazon
$65.95
This pickleball set scores big for its vibrant paddle colors, handy storage bag, and durable design that holds up game after game. As one reviewer raved, “If you’re a beginner or casual player looking for a good balance of power, control, and affordability, this paddle is a great option!” Looking to find out more about this viral game? We have a whole guide to pickleball, too!
08
Quoit Set Washer and Ring Toss
Wayfair
$22.50
09
Baden Backyard Volleyball Set With Carrying Bag
Amazon
$89.98
Whether you’re a serious athlete or just want to hit the ball around for fun, this volleyball set is good to have on hand. It comes with all the essentials, including a volleyball, steel poles, net, boundary lines, carrying bag, and even a ball pump. All that’s left to do is get your serve in order.
10
Tailgating Pros Pyramid Cornhole Board Set
Amazon
$189.85
11
Play Platoon Premium Weather Resistant Cornhole Bags
Amazon
$19.99
12
GoSports Backyard Bocce Set
Amazon
$39.99
13
GoSports Ladder Toss Indoor & Outdoor Game Set
Amazon
$32.99
14
GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower
Amazon
$74.99
15
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Turtle Target Action Game
Amazon
$23.49
16
Banzai Cyclone Splash Inflatable Water Park
Amazon
$49.98
17
Ortiz34 Grand Slam Set
Amazon
$34.99
18
GoSports BattleChip Tour Backyard Golf Cornhole Game
Amazon
$39.99
19
DURARANGE Pop-Up Golf Chipping Net
Amazon
$44.88
20
Kidzlane Bubble Maker Machine for Kids
Amazon
$29.99
21
WOWMAZING Giant Bubble Wands Kit
Amazon
$17.99
Backyard Games Q+A
What are the most popular outdoor games?
Some backyard games are classics for a reason. Take cornhole, for example: It’s simple to learn, surprisingly competitive, and perfect for groups. Ladder toss, bocce, and horseshoes are a few other crowd-pleasers that work for all ages. And if you’re going for nostalgia, oversized versions of Connect Four or Jenga are guaranteed hits at summer parties.
What are some fun yard games for kids to play?
What are ideas for do it yourself yard games?
Ultimate Guide to Summer
Get our best decor ideas, shopping recommendations, travel tips, and more!
SUMMER FUN!