The Best Yard Games For Adults | 2023
These Yard Games For Adults Are Good For Hours of Fun
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Summertime serves as prime time for barbecues. And while summer BBQ recipes often take centre stage at these get-togethers, the fun activities should be a close second. Because BBQs are a great time to break out everyone's favourite yard games for adults.
Every party should have some game-like activities, but while we'll settle for board games and card games in the winter, in the warmer months, if you're lucky enough to be meeting up in an outdoor space, yard games add something extra to the bash. For one, the movement will get your appetite going for the delicious summer appetizers and main dishes later on. For another, a little competition is a great way for guests who don't know each other that well to bond, making yard games for adults a fantastic icebreaker.
So cue up your go-to summer BBQ playlist and break out one of these fun yard games for adults. We've got the classics, including badminton and cornhole, and lesser-known options, such as mega Connect Four and Jenga. All you need is two or three options, and your guests will be sure to find something they're interested in playing all party long.
Best Classic Yard Game for Adults: Cornhole
GoSports Classic Cornhole Set ($100)
The classic bag-toss game even has the stamp of approval from ESPN, which now broadcasts tournaments. You need not be ready for a close-up on the Worldwide Leader to try your hand at nailing a shot — a little luck will do. GoSports' set is an Amazon bestseller and the retailers' choice for a "cornhole board set." It comes with eight bean bags and in numerous designs, from rustic red and blue to football. It has a 4.3-star rating based on more than 24K reviews.
"I bought this used and was expecting to have some damage, but the only damage was to the original packageing," said one buyer. "The only negative is the zipper on the carrying bag. It broke the first day, but I plan on replacing it."
Other buyers also called out the lack of portability as worth noting, so consider buying this set for use in your yard — but not someone else's or an off-site bash like the beach.
Best Volleyball Alternative: Spikeball
Spikeball Standard Three-Ball Kit ($70)
Volleyball is a time-honoured outdoor sport. But setting up a net can be a pain (and take up a ton of real estate in your yard). Spikeball offers a round-net alternative that can fit in yards of any size and is portable enough to take to a beach bonfire.
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We were new to this Gen-Z game," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "We had an absolute blast...Easy setup. [It] comes with a storage/transport bag."
Best Game for Nighttime Fun: LED Frisbee
TOSY 36 & 360 LED Flying Disc ($60)
Backyard parties can extend well into the evening. An LED flying disc brings rave-style vibes to the outdoors and allows you to play Ultimate Frisbee under the stars. TOSY's disc comes in 11 colours — including green, pink, and blue — and a 30-minute charge nets you about 1,000 throws.
"This frisbee was worth the investment," wrote one reviewer. "Not only does it have bright lights — they look great in the dark. It flies super far and smoothly. It is also very durable."
Best Toss for Beginners: Ladder Toss
GoSports Ladder Toss Indoor & Outdoor Game Set ($33)
Toss games are a theme of backyard bashes — cornhole, horseshoes. But they can be a bit of a challenge for newbies. A ladder toss has multiple targets, making it easier for someone to hit at least one. You can also set your own rules for how far to stand from the ladder, allowing you to make it progressively more challenging as your crew gains experience.
Overall, the set has 4.7 stars based on more than 11K reviews on Amazon. "This is a fun game that we use when friends and family come over for a pool day," said one buyer. "It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and fun to play. My grandkids range in age from 4 years old to 7 years old, and the adults have fun competing with them."
Best Indoor Game for Outdoors (Small Groups): Connect Four
SWOOC Giant Four in a Row All-Weather Outdoor Game ($120)
Connect Four was a popular way to spend recess on rainy days as kids. And it's a hallmark of family game night options. A gigantic version brings the fun outdoors and doubles as an Instagram-worthy installation. At 3 feet by 2 feet, SWOOC's option is unmissable, and is made of weather-resistant materials in case you don't feel like bringing it indoors post-party. Bonus points: the brand plants a tree for every order. The game is usually 1v1, so it's best for smaller crowds — otherwise, the long list of people wanting to play may bring some drama.
"This is such a nice looking Connect Four board," one reviewer said. "The wood colour is really nice, and it's the perfect size for our patio."
Best Indoor Game for Outdoors (Larger Groups): Jumbo Jenga
Jenga Official Giant Set ($170)
More players can partake in the classic block game that will have onlookers and players alike on the edge of their lawn chairs. Jenga's giant set stacks up to five-feet tall, so it's sure to draw attention from the moment a guest steps into the backyard. But the pieces are also small enough to fit in a bag (the set comes with it), so you can take it to other people's backyard soirees and get tons of use. Some Amazon users wish it was taller, but most were happy with the product, giving it 4.7 stars out of 5 and noting the sturdiness especially.
"It was after-dinner entertainment on the deck," wrote a reviewer. "Everyone had a great time playing this! It will be showing up at get-togethers all summer long."
Best Multi-Generational Pong Game
Juegoal Yard Pong ($40)
Though we're bringing you adult yard games, let's be real: Many summer pirates are multi-generational affairs. Yard Pong allows the classic adult-beverage game to remain in G-Rated territory, allowing the Alpha Generation to team up with Boomers for a family-friendly competition. Juegoal's set comes with four balls and 12 can't-miss buckets (that can double as beach pails or ice buckets in a pinch). Bonus: The buckets glow in the dark for post-sunset fun.
"Family enjoyed playing this game," said an Amazon reviewer. " [It] worked perfectly, and the glow in the dark is a nice added feature."
Best Team Sport: Badminton or Pickleball
Boulder Badminton/Pickleball Net ($90)
Classics will opt for birdies and rackets, while contemporaries will likely spring for pickleball. But because Boulder's net supports both team sports (and tennis and volleyball, too) you can also start with one and then transition to the other as the day goes on.
This net is an Amazon bestseller with more than 13K fans raving about its versatility (4.9 stars), ease of assembly (4.8 stars), and portability (4.8 stars). "We were mainly looking for a family net for badminton, but a little beach ball volleyball won't hurt either," wrote one fan. "We also wanted the net to be portable, so we could take it to the park or with us camping and move it off the grass for mowing. This net is super easy to assemble and seems like it will last a long time with care. The [three] net height adjustments are perfect as my kids grow."
Best Portable: Kan Jam
Kan Jam Disc Toss Game ($40)
This favourite summer pastime hasn't gone anywhere in the 2020s — the fact that this Kan Jam game is an Amazon bestseller — with 4.7 stars based on 14.5K reviews — proves that. Because the game is so portable and easy to set up, it's ideal for backyard barbecues, beach bonfires, and afternoons at the park.
"This game is so fun to play," said one reviewer. "A lot of strategy and teamwork [is] involved. This set was perfect for our summer BBQs. If you are looking for another outdoor game to play, give this one a try. I did not expect it to be as fun as it is."
Best for Fuss-Free Set Up: Bocce Ball
GoSports Backyard Bocce Set ($40)
Many of the ideas on this list are easy to assemble. But bocce ball is an inherent breeze — it literally requires balls and space. GoSports' backyard set comes with eight balls in four colours (two red, green, blue, and yellow balls apiece). A handy canvas bag lets you take the game to other people's bashes. Some Amazon fans actually take it and leave it — the set has a 4.8-star rating for giftability, the same as its overall rating based on more than 6K reviewers.
"Great price, well packaged, easy instructions, and transportable," said a recent buyer. "[It] will be a neat addition to picnics, holiday time at [a] cabin, and other outdoor activities."
Best for a Backyard Party Game Pros: Croquet
ApudArmis Six-Player Croquet Set ($40)
Croquet requires some dexterity, making it ideal for grown-up crowds craving a new challenge at a BBQ. This Amazon set comes with all the equipment needed for under $40. You'll get six 28-inch mallets, six balls, a pair of 18-inch stakes, and nine steel wickets. It also comes with a manual so first-timers can quickly figure out what they're doing, plus a carry bag for easy transport and post-game storage. (Pro tip: some reviewers said the bag broke easily — have a backup plan like a crate.)
"This is very well made with a nice finish," wrote a reviewer. "The balls are poly, so they won't break. The zipper on the storage bag broke first try. I didn't want the bag anyway. I am very happy with the set."
Best for Company Picnics: Tug of War
GOTHINK Tug of War Rope ($26)
Tasked with planning this year's company picnic or field day? Tug of War is a time-honoured game. (It's also perfect for al fresco family reunions.) GOTHINK's 33-inch rope leaves plenty of room for multiple players. Tape at either end of the rope prevents it from committing a party foul by unraveling. The jute fibre is said to offer durability.
"We played it at each party. It brings us a lot of fun, not only [for] kids but also [for] adults. It's worth the money. The rope is just the right size and very easy to hold when we play it. The bag is large and sturdy, and easy to put the rope back after playing. The rope's end is perfect, and it has never been unraveling after playing so many times. We also used it as a jump rope for many people to jump together, which was so much joy."
Best for Versatility: Bottle Bash
Poleish Sports Bottle Bash Outdoor Flying Disc Game Set ($50)
This party game works for numerous settings — land, sand, or the shallow water of the sea (or wading pool). The concept is easy for anyone to understand. Two players switch off, attempting to knock the bottle off the other person's pole. It's easy to set up and comes with light-up bottles and an LED frisbee for all-day and night fun. More than 5K fans have given it 4.7 stars on Amazon, saying it travels well and is an easy game to learn.
"We saw people playing this game at a park one day," wrote on recent convert. "I looked it up on Amazon and bought one right then and there. This one is perfect — sturdy, easy to set up, and it comes with a bag, Awesome buy."