After writing about outdoor toys for toddles and preschoolers, a lot of you asked what to do once your kids outgrow trucks, playsets, and sand tables. So I went to work rounding up the best backyard games for families. In this post, you’ll find classic yard games the whole family will love, active outdoor games that actually get kids moving, and oversized games that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers at every gathering.
Whether you're looking for summer activities, need a unique birthday gift, or just trying to pry your kids away from their screens (we're all in this together), these are the yard games I trust — tested, approved, and genuinely fun for kids ages 5 and up.
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Why Kids Need Outdoor Games
Between the ages of 8-12, kids become less interested in open-ended, pretend play and more interested in structured, rule-oriented play.
This doesn’t mean you need to throw out the chalk or any outdoor toys they still play with. But it is a good time to notice if their play is changing — and think about how you can encourage them to continue playing outside.
The backyard games I listed below are a great way to motivate kids to play outside (instead of getting sucked into screens). And they make physical activity more fun, too.
My Quick-Pick Guide for Games
No time to scroll? Here are my top recommendations so you can make a fast decision that’s right for your family.
The top 3 backyard games I’d pick every time: Cornhole, Bocce Ball, Ladder Toss
The best games for mixed ages: Bocce Ball, Washer Toss
The one outdoor game worth the splurge: Giant Connect 4
Shop Outdoor Games by Age
Best yard games for ages 3-5: Cornhole, Carnival Games, Pop-Up Soccer
Best yard games for ages 6-10: Ladder Toss, Bocce Ball, Archery, Tic-Tac-Toe Toss Acros, Giant Checkers
Best yard games for ages 10+: Giant Tumble Tower, Backyard Golf, Slammo
Classic Yard Games
Ladder Toss: Kids will have fun trying to toss and wrap their bolos around different rungs of the ladder opposite them. This game is quick to assemble, easy to take along, and the bolos are made out of soft rubber, so they’re safe for kids. Ages 6+
Best for: Kids who love a challenge without any fast-paced pressure
Tic-Tac-Toe Toss Across: A classic game with a creative twist! This version makes tic-tac-toe more challenging as kids have to toss a beanbag to spin the pieces for the letters to show. Unlike the original, you can also undo someone’s X or O, which turns the game into a fun competition that keeps on going. Ages 5+
Best for: Kids who like competitive games and get bored easily
Cornhole: Fun for all ages! I love this set because it’s waterproof, so it’ll last through the seasons. Plus it has inner storage compartments and handles, making it easy to take along with you to the park, beach, or a friend’s house. Ages 3+
Best for: Kids who need a casual, low-impact game to play
Bocce Ball Set: I love outdoor games that the whole family can play together! This set includes eight balls in four different colors, so you can have up to eight players. The carrying case also makes it easy to take to the beach, a family barbecue, or an outdoor picnic at the park. Ages 4+
Best for: Families with mixed ages and energy levels
Washer Toss: A fun, portable (and compact) game that the whole family will love, similar to cornhole. It’s great for the beach, too, as the wind won’t blow away the washers.
Best for: Families who love cornhole and want to bring a smaller, lighter version to barbecues, camping trips, or the beach
Croquet: I love croquet because it’s one of those few games that manage to be both casual and competitive. And you end up walking around more than you realize!
Best for: Families who like slow-paced sports and strategic games
Active Yard Games
Pop-Up Soccer Net: These nets are built to last throughout all seasons and include ground stakes for greater stability. Ages 3+
Best for: Kids who love soccer and want to practice their skills or play a casual backyard game with friends
Toss & Catch Ball Game: The 90s are back (or maybe they never left?)! This outdoor game is a fun way to teach younger kids the basics of throwing and catching a ball. Older kids (and adults) can get way more active and competitive with it, making this one of those outdoor games that’s perfect for all ages. Ages 3+
Best for: Little kids who get frustrated when trying to catch a ball — or big kids who want to see what sort of wild catches and tosses they can do
Carnival Games Combo Set: This 3-in-1 set includes colorful cones, rings, and bean bags, so kids have multiple ways to play. You can also set up the cones to help kids practice their dribbling skills, or create your own obstacle course. Ages 3+
Best for: Playdates with friends or families that need a fun and easy group activity for multiple kids
Archery Set: This set provides hours of (safe) entertainment for kids while also helping them build fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination. Includes one bow with LED lights, nine suction-cup arrows, multiple targets, and a case. Ages 6+
Best for: Kids who want to feel like a superhero (and for parents who want them to be safe)
Backyard Golf: Set up a custom course and play anywhere! This golf set is great for all skill levels and has a fun twist — you can hit the golf bucket to finish the hole or hit it into the bucket to get a stroke off your score. Ages 3+
Best for: Families who want a fast-paced, but low-key game — and kids who aren’t ready for (or don’t love) traditional golf
KanJam: A fast and addictive frisbee disc game where two teams take turns throwing and deflecting the disc into a can to score points. It's easy to learn, quick to set up, and gets competitive fast. Ages 8+
Best for: Tweens and teens who want a high-energy game that's actually cool to play
Slammo: Slammo is a two-on-two game similar to volleyball and Spikeball. But instead of a long net, you have a small circular net to bounce the ball off of, making it more fast-paced and much easier to set up and play right away. Ages 12+
Best for: Kids who want to run and dive (and love a little bit of chaos)
Oversized Yard Games
Giant Checkers: Fun for both kids and adults! This is a great screen-free activity that you can play indoors or outdoors. Plus it includes a tic-tac-toe option on the back. Ages 3+
Best for: Kids who don’t want to sit still at a table and families who want to team up on moves
Giant Connect 4: This giant connect 4 game is great for outdoor gatherings and holds up well throughout the seasons. While it’s a little on the pricey side compared to other yard games, it will provide tons of entertainment for many years to come! Ages 3+
Best for: Families who need a fun game that will draw everyone over at social gatherings
Giant Tumble Tower: This tumble tower is taller than average and includes dice, allowing for multiple ways to play. You can also create your own rules to make it more fun (or more challenging!). Ages 6+
Best for: Kids who need a simple but exciting game to play (and don’t mind the loud crashing of blocks)
Benefits of Playing Outdoor Games
There are so many ways that kids benefit from playing outside! From their physical health, to their social skills, and to their emotional well-being, here are some examples of what backyard games can help improve.
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Hand-eye coordination
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Teamwork and collaboration
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Strategic and critical thinking
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Creativity and imagination
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Taking turns and being patient
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Confidence and self-discipline
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Concentration levels
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Overall mood and behavior
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Stress management
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Sleep patterns
Along with being crucial to their development, backyard games are just plain fun and a big part of childhood. The games you play together as a family — or the games they play with their friends — will create lasting memories and enrich their lives.
FAQs for Yard Games
What ages are these backyard games good for?
Many of these outdoor games for kids are great for all ages — including adults! Kids as young as three could play most of these games (though some of the rules might have to bend for them), while some games are better suited for ages 5 (or 6) and up.
Do I need a big backyard to play these games?
Any amount of yard should work for most of these backyard games. Here's a quick guide:
Got a patio or small yard? These are your best bets: Giant Checkers, Giant Connect 4, Giant Tumble Tower, Tic-Tac-Toe Toss Across, Archery Set, and Toss & Catch all work in tighter spaces.
Medium yard or driveway? Cornhole, Ladder Toss, Bocce Ball, Carnival Games Combo Set, and Backyard Golf are all doable. You just need a little room to spread out.
Have more space? Pop-Up Soccer Net and Slammo work best with room to run. Take those to the park if your backyard is on the smaller side.
The good news: most of these are portable, so the park, the beach, a camping trip, or a friend's house all count as your backyard.
Are the games easy to set up and store?
Yes! The quickest to set up and break down are Cornhole, Ladder Toss, KanJam, Bocce Ball, Pop-Up Soccer Net, and the Carnival Games Combo Set, several of these come with a carrying case, which makes them easy to grab and go. The oversized games (Giant Connect 4, Giant Checkers, Giant Tumble Tower) take a little more effort to assemble, but nothing complicated, just budget an extra few minutes the first time.
How can I include little kids in lawn games?
First, make sure they’re interested in playing! If not, you can set up some outdoor play activities for the little ones while the older kids play the more involved outdoor games. If you have kids between the ages of 3-5 who do want to play, you can include them by bending the rules. Let them move closer for games like cornhole, washer toss, or ladder toss. See if you can make it more collaborative instead of keeping score. And be open to seeing how they want to play the game.
Are the yard games weather-resistant?
It depends on the game! A few standouts: Cornhole is waterproof and built to handle the seasons, the Pop-Up Soccer Net is designed to hold up outdoors, and the Giant Connect 4 does well through summer heat and light rain. I always recommend storing outdoor games away if you think it will rain — or once the weather changes — to keep them well protected. A quick habit of tossing them in the garage after use will keep them lasting for years.
Is the price reasonable?
Most of the yard games I listed in this post are just $30 or less. This is a great value considering your kids will play with them for years! There are a couple of higher-priced games as well, so it all depends on your budget and space — as well as your kids’ ages, abilities, and interests.
What are some free or low-cost yard games for kids?
DIY obstacle courses, frisbee (or frisbee golf), capture the flag, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, and tag are all great options for backyard play.
More Ways to Play
If you need more ideas for the summer and how to keep your kids active, engaged, and entertained, check out these posts:
Playing outside helps kids build so many important skills — and it can even improve their sleep, reduce their stress, and lead to happier, healthier kids. So, remember, no matter what trips or activities you have planned for the summer, getting outside is key!
