20 Fun Backyard Games For Kids

Fall is on the way and summer is already cooling off. It is a great time to play in the backyard! Finding new ways to entertain our children can be exhausting, and as a mom, I’m always looking for new games and alternative ways to have fun with my kids that won’t break the bank. Luckily, there are so many ways to have backyard fun with our kids! Every weekend can be a new adventure. Here are ten fun backyard games for kids to get kids outside involved in active play.

10 Backyard Games: Fun And Active Ideas

Backyard games are the perfect way to bring family and friends together for some fresh air, laughter, and a little friendly competition. Whether you’re planning a summer barbecue, a birthday party, or simply looking for ways to keep the kids entertained, outdoor games create lasting memories while encouraging everyone to unplug and be active. From classic favorites to creative new twists, there’s a backyard game for every age and occasion.

There are plenty of fun backyard games for kids that can keep them entertained and active. Here are some fun ideas:

Ring Toss

Ring Toss is a timeless backyard game that combines simplicity with just the right amount of challenge. Players aim to toss rings, often made of rope or plastic, onto pegs or stakes set at varying distances. It’s easy enough for kids to enjoy, yet still fun for adults who like a little competition. Ring Toss is great for practicing hand-eye coordination, and you can even adjust the difficulty by moving the pegs farther apart or increasing the throwing distance. Portable and quick to set up, it’s a perfect game for parties, picnics, or casual afternoons outside. Here is a simple DIY ring toss tutorial.

Giant Jenga

Giant Jenga is a backyard favorite that takes the classic tabletop game to a whole new level of excitement. Using oversized wooden blocks, players take turns carefully removing one piece at a time and stacking it on top, creating a taller and wobblier tower with each move. The suspense builds as the structure grows more unstable, keeping everyone on edge and laughing until the inevitable crash. It’s simple to set up, fun for both kids and adults, and a great way to bring a little friendly competition to your outdoor gatherings.ore exciting outdoors. Order a wooden set through my affiliate Amazon link or make your own!

Ladder Toss

Ladder Toss, also known as ladder golf, is a lively backyard game that’s easy to learn but challenging enough to keep everyone engaged. Players take turns tossing bolas—two small balls connected by a rope—trying to land them on the rungs of a ladder-like stand. Each rung is worth different points, so strategy and aim make a big difference as the game heats up. It’s a fantastic choice for both kids and adults, encouraging hand-eye coordination, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs at summer cookouts or family get-togethers.

Capture The Flag

This is a classic backyard game from my own childhood. It was all the rage at sleepover parties and I really loved the thrill of running and hunting and playing as a team. My own kids love this game now just as much as I did then which means we can even join in the fun and play as a whole family. You can even get a whole light up set called Capture the Flag REDUX as seen in this Good Morning America clip.

There is also a similar outdoor game that is brand new called Wizards & Werewolves.  This is my son’s favorite!  You can see it on YouTube.

Backyard Cornhole

You might know it as corn hole, beanbags, beanbag toss, corn toss, or baggo. Regardless of what you call it, “bags” is a great backyard game in which the entire family can participate. Setup for bags is easy — it’s two slanted platforms with holes near the top and center, positioned approximately 30 feet apart. You can purchase these platforms as part of a set or build your own cornhole game.

To play, two teams of two players take turns throwing a beanbag, underhand, toward the opposite board. Teams split up and one player from each team stands on either side of each board. The object is to land the bag in the hole or on the board, and three points are awarded for landing in the hole. A bag that stays on the board is worth one point. The winner is the first team to 21 points.

Bocce Ball 

A tried-and-true spring and summertime outdoor game, bocce has been around for a long time. You can play as an individual or in teams, and each team gets four balls. The pallina is the smallest ball, and it is thrown to the opposite side of the playing surface.

The players then take turns throwing balls toward the pallina. The team whose ball is closest to the pallina gets a point — for each ball that is closer than the opposing teams’ closest ball. While a regulation bocce court is 76 feet long and 10 feet wide, you can play for fun in whatever space your yard affords.

Sponge Ball Fight

This is bound to a favorite of these kids backyard games.  Your kids can have fun making sponge balls and then they can have fun playing a dodgeball style game and getting wet while they cool off and run around.

Badminton

One of my family’s favorite backyard fun ideas was always badminton when I was growing up. Badminton can be thought of as a tennis-like game that you can play in your backyard. Played with rackets and a “shuttlecock” or “birdie,” up to four players on two teams attempt to volley the birdie back and forth over a net in attempts to make the other team miss. Officially, the winner of a badminton game is the first to 21 points.

You can get birdies cheaply in packs of six. The net, poles, string and stakes can be purchased in a set. You can even hang the net between two trees in your backyard.

Croquet

Up to six people of any skill level can play croquet, which consists of players taking turns hitting a ball with a mallet through wickets in an attempt to complete a course. When your ball passes under a wicket, or you hit another player’s ball with yours, you get an extra turn. Whoever completes the course first is the winner.

There are many variations of croquet; these rules are just the basics. With some research, your family can choose which variation of the game is most fun. You can get the gear required for croquet — mallets, balls, wickets and sticks — in a set. The sets are often color-coded and most balls are made of heavy plastic or wood.

Bug Hunt

Bug out a bit and capture those lady bugs. Most kids love capturing bugs, so why not send them out into your backyard with a jar to catch some? Just make sure your jar has holes in the top so no bugs are harmed in this game. This was one of my children’s favorite backyard games for kids when they were younger. They liked to see who could collect the most species! Catch grasshoppers or turn over rocks to look for rolly pollies.

Bubble Station

Set up a bubble station with bubble wands and bubble solution. You may even want to try this recipe for making your own homemade bubbles. Kids can enjoy blowing bubbles and chasing them around the yard.

More Kids Backyard Games

Backyard explorations and adventures don’t have to stop with these fun backyard games. You may also like to try these classic kids games or get creative and make up something new! These games can be adjusted based on the age group and number of kids playing, and they provide a great way for kids to have fun and stay active outdoors.

• Frisbee Golf – Set up buckets or targets around the yard for a DIY version of disc golf.
• Sack Races – Old-school fun with potato sacks or pillowcases.
• Tug of War – All you need is a sturdy rope and plenty of team spirit.
• Kickball – Like baseball but easier to set up in the backyard and fun for all ages.
• Bean Bag Toss – A classic game where players aim to toss bean bags into a raised board with a hole for points.
• Kan Jam – A high-energy frisbee game where teammates work together to land the flying disc into a large can-shaped goal.
• Potato Sack Race – Players hop to the finish line inside sacks or pillowcases, making for hilarious, bouncy fun.
• Obstacle Course Rolls – Roll the dice to determine how many jumping jacks, hops, or steps each player must complete.
• Lawn Bowling – Roll a ball across the grass to knock down pins, bringing the bowling alley to your backyard.
• Nerf Guns– Kids can play competitive games in groups or aim at target boards for solo practice.

Conclusion

Backyard games are a wonderful way to turn any outdoor gathering into a memorable experience filled with laughter, connection, and a little healthy competition. From simple classics like Ring Toss to crowd-pleasers like Giant Jenga and Kickball, there’s something for every age group and skill level to enjoy. Not only do these games encourage physical activity and teamwork, but they also create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you’re hosting a big celebration or just enjoying a sunny afternoon, adding a few backyard games is the perfect recipe for fun.

I hope you enjoy playing these backyard games for kids as much as I do. Play with them while you can, because they keep growing and then they leave says the mama who is missing her two children away at college!

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