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22 Best Backyard Games for Summer Fun

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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

A safer, softer twist on the classic backyard game, this rubber horseshoe set is perfect for players of all ages, particularly the little ones. It comes with everything you need for indoor or outdoor play, including stakes, mats, and a handy mesh bag to keep it all together.

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

A ring toss game is a backyard summer staple, and it’s always a good idea to have a portable set you can bring to neighborhood parties or family gatherings. This one’s suitable for all ages and abilities.

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

Cornhole is a classic summer game, and this top-rated set is complete with bean bags and a carrying case for easy transport to the lake, beach, or straight from the garage to the backyard.

11

Play Platoon Premium Weather Resistant Cornhole Bags

Amazon

$19.99

On the other hand, for those who want to DIY their cornhole boards or just need a new set of bags, these weather-resistant finds are double-stitched to safely toss over and over, and they’re available in more than 25 different color combinations.

12

GoSports Backyard Bocce Set

Amazon

$39.99

Bocce ball is another crowd favorite, and this set’s backed by thousands of positive reviews. For less than $40, its classic resin balls feature premium construction and vibrant colors to ensure they stand out in the grass.

13

GoSports Ladder Toss Indoor & Outdoor Game Set

Amazon

$32.99

Ladder golf is another perfect game for all ages, and this set comes with a travel carrying case that makes it easy to bring from place to place. Choose from the classic or pro version and get excited for a fast assembly that takes less than five minutes.

14

GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower

Amazon

$74.99

Perfect to bring to the lake or on a camping trip, this giant wood tower stands at five feet tall and is available in a variety of stains, including natural wood, gray wood, and tropical hardwood. It even comes in a stars and stripes pattern for the 4th of July. So fun!

15

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Turtle Target Action Game

Amazon

$23.49

To keep the little ones occupied, this turtle target action game comes with four self-stick beanbags and a numbered target with a stand to keep them focused while developing hand-eye coordination skills. It’s also great for number recognition and counting.

16

Banzai Cyclone Splash Inflatable Water Park

Amazon

$49.98

On the other hand, this inflatable set with a sprinkling slide and aqua pool provides an action-packed area to splash around in for hours. It’s recommended for kids ages 3-4 years and will instantly turn any backyard into a mini waterpark.

17

Ortiz34 Grand Slam Set

Amazon

$34.99

Baseball is a game the whole family can play. This set has great reviews for its lightweight plastic bat, plastic balls, and four bases, so all you have to focus on is hitting a home run.

18

GoSports BattleChip Tour Backyard Golf Cornhole Game

Amazon

$39.99

Combining golf and cornhole, this exciting hybrid game comes with a small target, hitting mat, 16 foam balls, and a carrying case. It’s the ultimate backyard game to try this season.

19

DURARANGE Pop-Up Golf Chipping Net

Amazon

$44.88

For those who prefer a more classic game of golf, this pop-up chipping net is the perfect addition to any backyard. It measures at just 12” by 12” when folded and 25” by 25” when open, making it non-invasive and ultra-portable.

20

Kidzlane Bubble Maker Machine for Kids

Amazon

$29.99

The little ones won’t be able to leave this light-up bubble machine, which bursts out up to 1,000 bubbles per minute thanks to its eight bubble blowing wands. Place it in the middle of the backyard or in the shade for hours of fun.

21

WOWMAZING Giant Bubble Wands Kit

Amazon

$17.99

For tweens and older kids, this giant bubble kit is a great way to have some fun while testing their concentration. Choose from a standard kit, a family kit, a space-themed kit, or a unicorn kit.

22

Hey! Play! Bowling Set

Wayfair

$149.99

Outdoor bowling? Yes, please! With nearly 500 positive reviews, this set features a classic design that blends right into any backyard.

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?

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