The sun’s out, the weather’s perfect, and your kids are staring at screens again. Time to change that! We’ve rounded up 33+ DIY outdoor games that’ll transform your backyard into the hottest destination in the neighborhood. From classic lawn games with a twist to water-soaked challenges that’ll have everyone laughing, these ideas are guaranteed to get the whole family outside and having a blast.
The best part? Most of these games use materials you probably already have lying around (hello, recycled wine bottles!). Whether you’re planning a full-blown backyard carnival or just need something to do on a lazy Saturday, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Board Games (But Make Them Giant)
1. DIY Oversized Checkerboard
There’s something irresistibly fun about taking a classic game and supersizing it. This DIY checkerboard uses jar lids as game pieces, and the whole family can help create it!
Best for: All ages, family game nights, backyard parties
Time to Set Up: 2-3 hours (one-time project)
What You’ll Need:
- Large board or painted concrete surface
- Jar lids (collect 24 total – 12 of each size/color)
- Outdoor paint or chalk
- Measuring tape
How to Play:
1. Create an 8×8 grid on your board or directly on concrete/pavement using outdoor paint or chalk
2. Paint 12 jar lids one color and 12 another color (let the kids help with this!)
3. Set up your checkers in the traditional starting formation
4. Play regular checkers rules, but enjoy the satisfaction of moving those satisfyingly large pieces
5. Leave the board set up for impromptu games all summer long
Pro Tip: Use different sized jar lids to distinguish between regular pieces and “kings” – it adds a fun visual element and makes gameplay even clearer!
2. DIY Outdoor Game Table
Why limit board games to indoor tables? This custom outdoor game table brings the fun outside and can be used for checkers, tic-tac-toe, or card games.
Best for: Families who love game nights, covered patios
Time to Build: Half a day weekend project
What You’ll Need:
- Wood boards (for table construction)
- Paint or stain for outdoor use
- Checkerboard stencil or painter’s tape
- Waterproof sealant
How to Set It Up:
1. Build a simple table with a flat playing surface (follow standard table-building plans)
2. Paint a checkerboard pattern on the top using painter’s tape for crisp lines
3. Seal everything with waterproof coating so it survives the elements
4. Add your favorite game pieces and let the tournaments begin!
Fun Variation: Create a reversible top with checkers on one side and tic-tac-toe on the other for double the gaming options!
3. Ladybugs vs. Tadpoles Tic-Tac-Toe
This adorable twist on tic-tac-toe turns a simple game into a nature-themed masterpiece. Plus, rock hunting and painting is half the fun!
Best for: Kids ages 4+, crafty families
Time to Create: 1 hour (plus drying time)
What You’ll Need:
- 10 smooth, flat rocks (5 larger, 5 smaller)
- Red and green acrylic paint
- Black paint marker or small brush
- Clear sealant spray
- Wooden round or painted board for the game grid
How to Make & Play:
1. Send the kids on a rock-hunting adventure to find 10 smooth stones
2. Paint 5 rocks red (for ladybugs) and 5 rocks green (for tadpoles)
3. Once dry, add black spots to the ladybugs and little tadpole tails to the green ones
4. Draw a tic-tac-toe grid on a wooden round or directly on your patio with chalk
5. Play classic tic-tac-toe, but way cuter!
Pro Tip: Seal your painted rocks with a clear outdoor sealant so they last all summer (and beyond!). Store them in a small bucket near your outdoor play area for easy access.
4. DIY Giant Outdoor Boggle
If you love word games, you’ll flip for this supersized version of Boggle. It’s perfect for keeping brains sharp while still enjoying the sunshine!
Best for: Word lovers, teens and adults, educational fun
Time to Play: 15-20 minutes per round
What You’ll Need:
- 16 wooden blocks or thick cardboard squares
- Black paint or markers
- 4×4 grid drawn on the ground (use chalk or tape)
- Timer
- Paper and pencils for each player
How to Play:
1. Write common letters on your 16 blocks (use Boggle/Scrabble letter distribution as a guide)
2. Arrange blocks randomly in your 4×4 grid on the ground
3. Set a timer for 3 minutes
4. Players walk around the grid, writing down as many words as they can find by connecting adjacent letters
5. Words must be at least 3 letters long, and letters must connect horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
6. Compare lists – unique words score points based on length!
Fun Variation: Make it a physical challenge! Players must physically step on each letter as they spell their word to claim it.
Playground Equipment (Build It Once, Use It Forever)
5. DIY Backyard Seesaw
Remember the joy of seesaws? Bring that nostalgia back with this DIY version that’ll have kids (and adults!) giggling for hours.
Best for: Kids ages 5+, active families
Time to Build: 3-4 hours
What You’ll Need:
- One 10-foot long sturdy board
- A cylindrical base (large log or concrete form tube)
- Handles for grip
- Sandpaper and paint
Safety Note: Always supervise young children and ensure the base is extremely stable. Add padding to the ground beneath for extra safety!
Pro Tip: Paint the board in bright, fun colors and add comfy handles at the ends. Your kids will feel like they’re at their own private playground!
6. Classic DIY Rope Swing
Few things say “childhood summer” quite like a rope swing. This is the project that creates memories for years to come.
Best for: All ages (with supervision), families with sturdy trees
Time to Set Up: 1-2 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy-duty rope (at least 1 inch thick)
- A sturdy tree branch (at least 8 inches in diameter)
- Wooden seat or disk (optional)
- Carabiners or secure knots
How to Set It Up:
1. Find a strong, healthy tree branch at least 10-15 feet high
2. Secure the rope using a proper swing knot or carabiner system
3. Add a wooden disk seat or tie knots in the rope for foot placement
4. Test it yourself first (yes, you get the first ride!)
5. Clear the area beneath of any obstacles
Pro Tip: Hang it over a slight slope so kids get extra swinging momentum. And definitely test the weight limit before the kids try – you know you want to swing too!
7. Backyard Obstacle Course
Transform your yard into an American Ninja Warrior training ground! This customizable course keeps kids active and engaged for hours.
Best for: Active kids ages 6+, competitive families
Time to Set Up: 30 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Pool noodles (for hurdles or balance beams)
- Hula hoops (for jumping challenges)
- Cones or markers
- Jump rope
- Chairs or boxes (for crawling under)
- Timer
How to Play:
1. Create stations throughout your yard: hurdles to jump, areas to crawl under, balance beams to walk across
2. Set up a clear start and finish line
3. Time each participant as they complete the course
4. Change up the course layout weekly to keep it fresh and challenging
5. Let kids design their own course variations!
Fun Variation: Add water elements in summer – sprinklers to run through, sponges to squeeze, or water balloons to dodge. Game changer!
8. DIY Tetherball
Tetherball is the ultimate one-on-one backyard competition. Build your own for half the price of store-bought versions!
Best for: Ages 8+, competitive siblings
Time to Build: 2-3 hours
What You’ll Need:
- 10-foot metal pole
- Large tire or concrete base (for stability)
- Volleyball or tetherball
- Heavy-duty rope or chain
- Cement (if creating permanent installation)
How to Play:
1. Secure your pole in a tire filled with cement or directly into the ground
2. Attach the ball via rope to the top of the pole
3. Draw a circle around the pole and divide it in half
4. Each player stands on their side and hits the ball in opposite directions
5. First to wrap the rope completely around the pole in their direction wins!
Pro Tip: Make sure the ball hangs at about head height for your players. You can adjust it as kids grow!
9. Backyard Slingshot Target Game
This isn’t your average slingshot – it’s a full-scale carnival game right in your backyard! Get ready for some serious competitive fun.
Best for: Ages 10+ (with supervision), game night crowds
Time to Build: Half-day project
What You’ll Need:
- Large wooden frame
- Bungee cords or heavy-duty elastic bands
- Wooden launch cup or pouch
- Foam balls or water balloons as projectiles
- Target board with point values
How to Play:
1. Build a sturdy frame with bungee cords creating the “slingshot” mechanism
2. Set up your target board 10-15 feet away with different point zones
3. Players load the foam ball, pull back the pouch, and launch!
4. Award points based on where the ball lands
5. First to 50 points wins!
Safety Tip: Always ensure spectators are behind the launcher, never downrange!
Water Games (Perfect for Hot Summer Days)
10. DIY Bottle Sprinkler
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This 5-minute sprinkler turns any plastic bottle into instant backyard fun!
Best for: Toddlers and young kids, hot afternoons
Time to Make: 5 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Empty 2-liter plastic bottle
- Nail or sharp object to poke holes
- Hose adapter (optional) or duct tape
- Garden hose
How to Set It Up:
1. Poke multiple holes in the plastic bottle using a heated nail or drill
2. Attach the bottle to your garden hose (use an adapter or wrap tightly with duct tape)
3. Turn on the water and watch the magic happen!
4. Let kids run through the spray on hot days
Fun Variation: Create different spray patterns by changing where you poke the holes – all on one side for a fountain effect, or all around for a 360-degree sprinkler!
11. Squirt Gun Races
This game combines the thrill of competition with the cooling relief of water. It’s ridiculously simple and ridiculously fun!
Best for: Ages 5+, pool parties
Time to Play: 10-15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Water guns (one per player)
- Plastic cups (one per player)
- String or rope
- Finish line marker
How to Play:
1. Hang plastic cups from a string stretched across your yard
2. Fill each cup with a small amount of water
3. Players stand at a designated line with their squirt guns
4. On “go”, players shoot water into their cup, trying to make it heavy enough to slide down the string
5. First cup to reach the finish line wins!
Pro Tip: Play this in teams for relay-style competition, or use it as a pool party game where players are in the water shooting at targets on the deck!
12. Reusable Water Sponge Bombs
All the fun of a water balloon fight without the annoying cleanup of balloon bits everywhere. These sponge bombs are a summer essential!
Best for: All ages, water fight enthusiasts
Time to Make: 30 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Cellulose sponges (multiple colors)
- Scissors
- String or rubber bands
How to Make & Play:
1. Cut sponges into strips lengthwise (about 1 inch wide)
2. Stack 6-8 strips together and tie tightly in the middle with string
3. Fluff the ends to create a pom-pom shape
4. Soak in water and let the battles begin!
5. After playing, simply collect, wring out, and store for next time
Pro Tip: Make these in different colors and divide into teams. Way more fun than trying to figure out whose balloon was whose!
13. DIY Dunk Bucket
Give the classic dunk tank a backyard-friendly makeover! This version is easier to set up and just as hilarious to watch.
Best for: Ages 8+, birthday parties, family reunions
Time to Build: 2-3 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Large bucket or small trash can
- PVC pipe and connectors (for frame)
- Trigger mechanism (can be store-bought or DIY)
- Step stool or platform
- Towels!
How to Set It Up:
1. Build a sturdy frame using PVC pipe that holds the bucket above the “hot seat”
2. Create a trigger mechanism (pulling a rope, hitting a target, etc.)
3. Fill the bucket with water
4. Have someone sit below (on a waterproof seat!)
5. When the trigger is activated, the bucket tips and drenches the person below!
Fun Variation: Use this as a consequence game – losers of other games get dunked!
14. Tipsy Waiter Challenge
This hilarious game will have everyone laughing, guaranteed. It’s part skill, part luck, and all entertainment!
Best for: Teens and adults, backyard Olympics
Time to Play: 5 minutes per round
What You’ll Need:
- Plastic cups filled halfway with water
- Serving tray or large plate
- Blindfold or something to spin participants
How to Play:
1. Fill several plastic cups halfway with water and place them on a tray
2. Have the player spin around 10 times (or wear a blindfold while spinning)
3. Once dizzy, they must walk a designated path while carrying the tray
4. The player who spills the least amount of water wins!
5. Measure success by counting cups still standing or water remaining
Pro Tip: Use different colored water in each cup to make spills more dramatic and visible. Food coloring works great!
15. Water Balloon Piñata
Forget the candy-filled piñata – this water-filled version is perfect for hot summer days and eliminates the sugar rush!
Best for: Kids ages 5+, summer birthday parties
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Water balloons (lots of them!)
- String or rope
- Tree branch or overhead structure
- Blindfold (optional)
- Bat or stick
How to Play:
1. Fill water balloons and tie them securely to a rope hung from a tree branch
2. Space them out at different heights
3. Blindfold players (or not – still fun either way!) and give them a stick
4. Let them swing at the balloons until they burst
5. The reward? Getting soaked! Perfect for summer.
Safety Tip: Make sure the playing area is clear and other kids stand well back. Designate a “splash zone”!
16. Water Balloon Volleyball
Take classic volleyball and add a twist that’ll have everyone shrieking with laughter when things go wrong (and they will!).
Best for: Ages 8+, groups of 8-12 people
Time to Play: 20-30 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Volleyball net (or rope stretched between two trees)
- Water balloons
- Beach towels (one per pair of players)
How to Play:
1. Divide into two teams and pair up within each team
2. Each pair holds a beach towel between them
3. Place a water balloon in one team’s towel
4. That team uses their towel to launch the balloon over the net
5. The opposing team must catch it in their towel and launch it back
6. A point is scored when the balloon bursts or hits the ground!
Pro Tip: Have extra water balloons ready – you’ll go through them fast! And maybe play this game in bathing suits.
17. Water Balloon Hunt
It’s an Easter egg hunt… but make it summer! This game is perfect for cooling down hot, excited kids.
Best for: Ages 4+, large groups of kids
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Water balloons (dozens of them)
- Baskets or buckets for collecting
How to Play:
1. Fill and hide water balloons throughout your yard (in bushes, behind trees, in shady spots)
2. Give each child a bucket
3. On “go”, kids race to find as many water balloons as possible
4. Here’s the twist: they can either collect them OR pop them on their friends!
5. The chaos that ensues is half the fun
Fun Variation: Use different colored balloons and assign them point values. Most points wins a prize!
18. Water Balloon “Egg” Race
Remember those old-school egg-and-spoon races? This version is way more exciting because failure means getting soaked!
Best for: Ages 6+, field day events
Time to Play: 10 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Water balloons
- Large serving spoons or small shovels
- Start and finish lines
How to Play:
1. Mark a clear start and finish line (20-30 feet apart)
2. Give each player a water balloon and a large spoon
3. Players must balance the water balloon on the spoon and race to the finish line
4. If the balloon drops and pops, they’re out (or must start over)
5. First person to cross the finish line with an intact balloon wins!
Pro Tip: For younger kids, use smaller spoons or allow them to hold the balloon on the spoon with one finger for stability.
Toss Games (Test Your Aim!)
19. DIY Bean Bag Toss
This classic carnival game gets a colorful upgrade! Plus, you can customize it to match any party theme.
Best for: All ages, portable fun
Time to Make: 1-2 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Clay pot saucers or sturdy paper plates
- Paint and decorations
- Bean bags (store-bought or homemade)
- Printable number labels
- Hot glue
How to Make & Play:
1. Paint and decorate your clay saucers with different point values
2. Arrange them on the ground in a pattern (pyramid style works great)
3. Players stand at a designated line and toss bean bags
4. Award points based on which saucer the bag lands in
5. First to reach 50 points wins!
Fun Variation: Create themed boards for holidays – turkeys for Thanksgiving, hearts for Valentine’s Day, etc.
20. Homemade Bean Bags
Before you can toss, you need these! Make your own bean bags in any color or pattern you want.
Best for: Crafty families, multiple toss games
Time to Make: 30-45 minutes (for several bags)
What You’ll Need:
- Fabric scraps (cotton works best)
- Dried beans, rice, or poly pellets for filling
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Scissors
How to Make Them:
1. Cut fabric into squares (5×5 inches is standard)
2. Place two squares together, pattern sides facing in
3. Sew around three sides, leaving one open
4. Turn right-side out and fill with beans or rice
5. Sew the final side closed securely
Pro Tip: Make them in multiple colors so different players or teams can easily identify their bags during gameplay!
21. DIY Flamingo Ring Toss
This Instagram-worthy game is as fun to look at as it is to play! Pool floaties have never been so functional.
Best for: Pool parties, tropical-themed events, ages 5+
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 3-5 inflatable flamingos or other pool floaties
- Rings (pool toys, embroidery hoops, or make your own)
- Sand or weights to anchor the floaties
How to Play:
1. Inflate your flamingos and anchor them in the ground (sand bags work great)
2. Arrange them at varying distances from your toss line
3. Assign point values to each based on difficulty
4. Players toss rings and try to land them on the flamingo necks
5. Keep score – highest total after 5 rounds wins!
Fun Variation: Play this IN the pool with floating flamingos! Adds an extra challenge since the targets are moving.
22. Recycled Wine Bottle Ring Toss
Here’s a brilliant way to repurpose those empty wine bottles from quarantine (no judgment!). Eco-friendly AND fun!
Best for: Adults, outdoor parties, ages 8+
Time to Make: 1 hour
What You’ll Need:
- 6-9 empty wine bottles
- Spray paint (outdoor)
- Rope rings or embroidery hoops
- Sand (to weight the bottles)
How to Make & Play:
1. Clean and remove labels from bottles
2. Spray paint them in different colors (let them dry completely)
3. Fill bottles partway with sand for stability
4. Arrange in a pattern on the ground
5. Toss rings from a designated line – each color bottle equals different points!
Pro Tip: Paint the bottles in rainbow order for a seriously aesthetic game setup. Your guests will be impressed!
23. DIY Football Toss
Perfect for tailgate parties or any football-loving family! This game brings the stadium experience home.
Best for: Sports fans, ages 7+, game day parties
Time to Build: 2-3 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Large wooden board
- Jigsaw (to cut holes)
- Paint in team colors
- Footballs (foam or mini)
- Scoreboard
How to Make & Play:
1. Cut several holes of varying sizes in the wooden board
2. Paint the board in your favorite team’s colors
3. Add point values around each hole
4. Prop it up at an angle against something sturdy
5. Players take turns throwing footballs through the holes – higher points for smaller holes!
Fun Variation: Make it competitive with a playoff bracket system for family tournaments!
24. Angry Birds Football Toss
Take the football toss and give it a hilarious twist! Kids who love Angry Birds will go crazy for this.
Best for: Kids ages 6-12, themed birthday parties
Time to Build: 2-3 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Same setup as regular football toss
- Angry Birds character cutouts or painted faces
- Green paint for “pig” targets
How to Play:
1. Create the same wooden board with holes
2. Decorate with Angry Birds characters around the holes
3. Paint pig faces as the targets
4. Kids throw “birds” (footballs) to knock out the “pigs”
5. Destruction of pigs = points scored!
Pro Tip: Add sound effects! Play the Angry Birds sounds from your phone when someone scores. Kids love it!
25. DIY Marble Toss Game
This elegant toss game works beautifully indoors or out and adds a classy touch to your game collection.
Best for: All ages, rainy day option
Time to Build: 2-3 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Shallow wooden box or frame
- Small cups or containers
- Marbles or small balls
- Paint and decorations
- Point value labels
How to Make & Play:
1. Create or buy a shallow wooden frame with raised edges
2. Arrange small cups inside at different angles and positions
3. Label each cup with point values
4. Players bounce or toss marbles, trying to land them in the cups
5. The satisfaction of hearing that clink when you score? Unbeatable.
Fun Variation: Make it harder by requiring the marble to bounce once before landing in a cup!
26. Math Toss Games
Sneaky learning disguised as fun? Yes, please! This game keeps kids’ math skills sharp all summer long.
Best for: Ages 5-12, educational summer fun
Time to Play: 15-20 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Bean bags
- Numbers written on ground with chalk or on paper plates
- Math operation signs (+, -, ×, ÷)
How to Play:
1. Write numbers on paper plates or draw them on the ground with chalk
2. Players toss two bean bags
3. Use the numbers they land on with the designated operation
4. Player must solve the math problem correctly to score points
5. Adjust difficulty based on age (addition for young kids, multiplication for older)
Pro Tip: Let kids take turns being the “answer checker” so they’re engaging with math even when it’s not their turn!
Balloon Games (Light, Cheap, and Endlessly Entertaining)
27. Balloon Tennis
This might be the most laughter-per-dollar you’ll ever get from a game. Bonus: it’s gentle enough for even the youngest players!
Best for: All ages, indoor or outdoor
Time to Set Up: 5 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Balloons (several, because they pop)
- Paper plates
- Popsicle sticks
- Tape
How to Make & Play:
1. Tape popsicle sticks to paper plates to create “rackets”
2. Blow up several balloons
3. Divide into teams or play one-on-one
4. Use your paper plate rackets to keep the balloon in the air
5. First team to let the balloon touch the ground loses the point!
Fun Variation: Add a net (or just a string) and play it volleyball-style!
28. Balloon Dart Board
Welcome to your backyard carnival! This game is thrilling for kids and satisfying for adults who love the pop.
Best for: Ages 8+ (with supervision), carnival-themed parties
Time to Set Up: 20 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Large board or thick cardboard
- Balloons (partially inflated)
- Push pins or tape
- Darts
- Small prizes or points written on paper (inserted in balloons before inflating)
How to Set Up & Play:
1. Partially inflate balloons and insert a small paper with a prize or point value
2. Finish inflating and attach balloons to the board using push pins or tape
3. Players stand at a safe distance and throw darts
4. When they pop a balloon, they win whatever was inside!
5. Bigger balloons = easier targets = smaller prizes; Small balloons = harder = better prizes
Safety Note: Always supervise closely when darts are involved, and keep younger kids at a safe distance!
29. Glow Stick Ring Toss
When the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t have to stop! This nighttime twist on ring toss creates an magical backyard experience that kids and adults alike will love.
Best for: Evening parties, all ages, summer nights
Time to Set Up: 10 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Glow sticks (at least 25)
- Empty 2-liter bottles (5-6)
- Sand or water to weight bottles
- Tape
How to Make & Play:
1. Fill bottles with sand or water for stability
2. Activate glow sticks and drop 2-3 into each bottle to make them glow
3. Arrange bottles in a pattern on your lawn
4. Connect glow sticks end-to-end to create rings (use tape to secure)
5. Turn off outdoor lights and start tossing!
6. Assign different point values based on bottle distance
Pro Tip: Use different colored glow sticks in each bottle (blue = 10 points, green = 25 points, pink = 50 points). The color-coding makes scoring easy even in the dark!
30. Sidewalk Chalk Twister
Take the classic Twister game outside and supersize it! This version gets even more hilarious when you’re playing on uneven grass or when you add surprise challenges.
Best for: Ages 5+, flexible players, outdoor parties
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Sidewalk chalk in 4 colors (red, blue, yellow, green)
- Spinner (make your own with cardboard and a brad) or use a Twister spinner app
- Flat outdoor surface (driveway, patio, or short grass)
How to Play:
1. Draw large circles (12 inches diameter) in rows on your surface
2. Create 4 rows of 6 circles each, one row per color
3. Players stand at the edge of the game board
4. Spin to determine which hand/foot goes on which color
5. Players must follow instructions without falling or lifting a hand/foot
6. Last person standing wins!
Fun Variation: Add silly rules like “hop on one foot to your next position” or “crawl to the next circle” for extra laughs!
31. Bucket Head Challenge
This game is ridiculous, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious to watch. Perfect for the family that loves a good laugh!
Best for: Ages 8+, competitive groups, video-worthy moments
Time to Play: 15-20 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 5-gallon bucket (clean!)
- 40-50 ping pong balls
- Outdoor space
- Timer
How to Play:
1. Player puts the bucket on their head (opening facing forward)
2. Another person tosses ping pong balls from 10 feet away
3. Player (wearing bucket) tries to catch balls in the bucket without using hands
4. Player can move their body, jump, duck, or lean to catch balls
5. Set timer for 60 seconds
6. Player with most balls caught in their bucket wins!
Pro Tip: This game is comedy gold on video. Designate someone to film – you’ll want to watch these attempts over and over! The person wearing the bucket can’t see anything, so they have to rely on the thrower’s verbal cues.
32. DIY Bowling Alley
Transform your driveway into a bowling alley! This is perfect for kids who love to knock things down (so… all kids).
Best for: Ages 4+, all skill levels
Time to Set Up: 20 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 10 empty plastic bottles (water or soda bottles work great)
- Sand or water to partially fill bottles
- Soccer ball or playground ball
- Sidewalk chalk
- Optional: paint or decorations for bottles
How to Set Up & Play:
1. Partially fill bottles with sand or water for stability (experiment with amounts)
2. Decorate bottles if desired (painted faces, stripes, or leave plain)
3. Draw bowling lane lines with chalk on driveway
4. Arrange bottles in traditional bowling pin formation
5. Draw a throwing line 15-20 feet away
6. Players roll the ball trying to knock down all pins
7. Keep score just like real bowling!
Fun Variation: Fill bottles with different amounts of water – some easy to knock over, some nearly impossible – and assign different point values. The wobbliest pins are worth the most!
Other Can’t-Miss Games
33. Hula Hoop Lasso Challenge
This game looks ridiculous, feels impossible, and creates the best photo opportunities. Your family will be crying with laughter!
Best for: Ages 8+, competitive families
Time to Play: 15-20 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Hula hoops (one per player)
- Long string or rope
- Objects to “lasso” (traffic cones, pool noodles stuck in ground, etc.)
How to Play:
1. Tie string to each hula hoop (about 6 feet long)
2. Set up target objects around the yard
3. Players must swing the hula hoop like a lasso and try to land it around a target
4. First person to successfully lasso 3 objects wins!
5. Watch as everyone discovers they are NOT, in fact, secret cowboys
Pro Tip: Start with larger, easier targets and work your way down to smaller ones as players improve!
Bonus: Giant Kerplunk Game
If you’ve got 33 and want one more, this giant version of the classic Kerplunk game is ridiculously fun and surprisingly easy to make!
Best for: All ages, party centerpiece
Time to Build: 1-2 hours
What You’ll Need:
- Large mesh laundry basket or trash can with holes
- Wooden dowels or garden stakes
- Small balls or balloons
- Container to catch falling balls
How to Make & Play:
1. Insert dowels through the holes in your basket, creating a web
2. Place balls on top of the dowel web
3. Players take turns removing one dowel at a time
4. Whoever makes the most balls fall on their turn loses!
5. The tension builds with each dowel removed!
Fun Variation: Use water balloons instead of balls for a messier, more exciting version!
Ready, Set, Play!
There you have it – 33+ outdoor games that’ll transform your backyard into the neighborhood’s hottest destination! The best part? Most of these use materials you already have or can grab at the dollar store.
Pro Tips for Maximum Fun:
- Rotate through different game types to keep energy high
- Let kids help build the games – they’ll be more invested in playing them
- Take photos! These moments make the best memories
- Don’t stress about perfection; the wonkier the game, the funnier it usually is
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, planning a family reunion, or just trying to get the kids off their devices for an afternoon, these games deliver. Pick a few favorites, gather your supplies, and get ready for a summer filled with laughter, competition, and memories that’ll last way longer than any screen time ever could.
Now stop reading and go play! Your backyard adventure awaits.
More Kid’s Party Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling:
Cookie Cutter Painting: The 5-Minute Art Project That Actually Holds Their Attention
20 Fun Indoor Games For Kids That’ll Save Your Sanity (And Keep Everyone Entertained!)
Toddler Scooping Activity: The Genius Life Skill Hiding in Your Pantry
55 Minute to Win It Games for Kids, Teens, & Adults
Transform Old Yogurt Tubs Into Stunning Tissue Paper Lanterns
How To Create A LEGO Duplo Block Painting: Turn Favorite Toys Into Art Supplies
Sticker Sorting Activity: The 5-Minute Setup That’ll Keep Your Toddler Busy (and Learning!)
