16 Lawn Games That Make Backyard Gatherings More Fun
Giant Jenga is sure to be a hit.
Reviewed by Marisa LaScalaSenior Parenting & Relationships Editor
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
If you are planning a graduation party or your next family BBQ, you've likely got the food and drinks covered — but don't forget about planning something for people to do. Having a fun outdoor game for people to play will keep them from standing around aimlessly staring at each other, add a little competition to the mix and give them something to talk about for years to come.
I've been to so many parties where Kan Jam is the center of the show since it's so easy to learn, but I've also had some very intense games of croquet at family functions. If you've already tried Jenga Giant and want the next new thing, my TikTok FYP is filled with people playing the absolutely enormous Tetris Tumble, and it's sure to impress all your guests. Below, we've found 16 games that are perfect for your next party.
For families, nothing is funnier than hurling a rubber chicken at a target in a memorable twist on lawn darts. But these birds bounce and roll, so "flicking" them into the bullseye isn't as easy as it looks.
If you're just looking for an easy cornhole experience, this set does the trick. It folds down into a small carrying case, which makes it the perfect set to bring on vacation.
Taking multiple sports and combining them for a new game makes it instantly more fun (just look at pickleball!). Jazzminton combines badminton and tennis with a net that reviewers say is easy to set up. Per the brand, you can play it indoors and outdoors.
SWOOC Giant Kick Darts
At over 6 feet tall, this dart game is sure to wow your guests. They'll take turns kicking velcro balls at the inflatable target, in 15 different games. It even comes with a dry erase board so you can keep score for bragging rights.
Playing Jenga at home on a table is fun. But this life-size backyard version — with blocks big enough to make a 5-foot structure — is even better.
This ladder golf set has been sanctioned to use in ladder golf tournaments. It comes with two ladders, two sets of bolas and a heavy-duty duffel bag for storage.
This oversized game is all over TikTok, as it combines the classic Tetris pieces with a balancing act. Roll the dice to find out what color you need to do, place it on the rocking platform and do your best to keep them from falling over. Per the brand, it can stack up to six feet tall.
As seen on Shark Tank, Spikeball is a game that involves slamming balls down onto a bouncy net. Warning: This isn't the type of lawn game you can play casually with a beer in your hand — you really get your heart rate up!
Bocce is a game that combines strength, strategy, and skill — and yet is still able to be mastered by young and old alike. Teams take turns getting their balls near the pallino (small ball), and can try to knock their opponents out of the way. This set comes with eight balls, a pallino and a carrying case to store it all in.
Movies like Heathers and Alice in Wonderland might not paint croquet in the best light, but it can be a lot of fun. This beginner-friendly kit comes with gear for six players and the wickets can be set up on any relatively flat grassy space.
Re-live your college years and sharpen your frisbee skills with this at-home Kan Jam set. You can opt for this original version, or get the illuminated set for nighttime fun.
Connect Four takes on a new meaning when it's done outside with life-sized game board. This wooden set measures more than 4 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall.
Keep the partying going even after the sun sets with one of these flying discs. These frisbee style discs light up with 16 million RGB colors and are easy to spot even in the dark. We like that it packs easily into a bag for travel.
If you've dreamed about having a mini-golf course at home, now you can. This kit has buckets that can be set up on a lawn or the beach, and it comes with wiffle balls, clubs and a carrying bag so you can swing right into action.
This backyard game is a new twist on classics like beer pong and cornhole. You have to shoot your beanbags down a ramp and try to get them into either the single hole or multiple cups, in order to win points. You get everything shown in the picture, along with two carrying bags.
Angel Madison is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, writing for brands like Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Oprah Daily, Men’s Health, and Women's Health. She’s been testing products for several years and is an expert at scouting deals and finding the perfect gifts. Angel covers many topics, but she specializes in plus-size fashion, Lego, trending products, toys, parenting, fitness, home, and tech. She has previously worked in parenting and entertainment and has vast knowledge in the teen, pop culture, and kid spaces.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Fast-Growing Fruits That Grow in Small Containers
6 Ways to Attract Bees to Your Garden
14 Companion Plants for Onions, According to a Pro
The Best Solar-Powered Generators
