Hosting an outdoor party soon for adults? If so, having some games on hand to play is a great idea to keep everyone entertained. Outdoor games can add a fun and lively element to your gathering, providing lots of opportunities for laughter and competition. In this post, I’m sharing classic outdoor game ideas and a few favorite Amazon outdoor activities to try!
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Even as an adult, having a game night is so fun! No matter the party theme games are a must. Especially in the warm weather outdoor games are the best. If you’re looking for fun outdoor party games you’re in the right place. Best part? You can play all of these right in your own backyard.
From classic favorites like cornhole and horseshoes to modern hits like Spikeball and ladder toss, there’s a game for every group and setting. In this blog post, we’ll share some fantastic outdoor game ideas that are perfect for any adult party. Get ready to elevate your next event with these entertaining activities!
1. Cornhole
For this great game you will need to purchase a Cornhole board and bean bags. However, it’s a great investment as you’ll find yourself taking this to BBQ’s, to the beach, and beyond.
Cornhole is a popular lawn game in which players or teams take turns throwing bags filled with corn kernels or beans at a raised platform with a hole at one end. The object of the game is to score points by landing the bags either on the board (worth one point) or through the hole (worth three points). The game is played until a team or player reaches a predetermined score, typically 21. The winning team gets bragging rights!
2. Spikeball
You’ll need to purchase a Spikeball Game Set to play this one, but it’s a crowd favorite. It’s a great way to get some exercise in, too!
Spikeball is a lively game where two teams of two players each hit a small ball onto a circular net set on the ground. Teams take turns serving and hitting the ball, trying to make the other team miss. Each team can touch the ball up to three times before bouncing it back on the net.
Points are scored when the other team can’t return the ball or hits it out of bounds. It’s a fun and energetic game that’s great for playing at the beach, park, or in the backyard.
3. Giant Jenga
Grab a large Jenga set and have fun pairing up or playing as individuals. Outdoor Jenga is a giant version of the classic block-stacking game, designed for play in open spaces like backyards, parks, and beaches. Players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower of wooden blocks and placing it on top without causing the tower to collapse.
The game continues until the tower becomes unstable and falls. The first player to make it crash loses. It’s a fun and engaging activity that tests balance and strategy, making it perfect for social gatherings and outdoor parties.
4. Charades
On a budget? Have a large group? Don’t worry! You don’t have to spend a penny to play this classic and have so much fun. This party game is where players act out a word or phrase without speaking, while their teammates try to guess what it is.
The player acting out the word uses gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey the meaning. Common categories include movies, books, TV shows, and famous people. The game is played with a timer, and points are awarded for each correct guess within the time limit.
It’s perfect for larger groups because you don’t have any game pieces to distribute or a max amount of players. Plus, it’s a classic party game everyone knows and loves.
5. Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a great affordable game option to purchase and have on hand. The objective is to encircle the stake or land the horseshoe as close to the stake as possible. People usually play in pairs or teams. The game needs skill and aim, making it a popular choice for backyards, parks, and picnics. It’s a fun and competitive activity that everyone can enjoy.
6. Badminton
Everyone loves this classic game! It’s super fun for a double date or a fun party game. Badminton is a fun and fast-paced game played with rackets and a shuttlecock (otherwise known as the birdie). Players hit the shuttlecock back and forth over a net, trying to make it land on the other side of the court.
7. Giant Tic Tac Toe
As soon as I saw this idea I knew it would be so fun for a casual girls night or adult party. It’s the perfect game! Party guests can play amongst each other as they wait for dinner to be ready or after as they relax. The first team or first person to get three of your symbols in a row wins! It can either be horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Simple enough, right?!
8. Ladder Toss
Most of you have probably heard of this game before. In fact, I remember having a set as a kid! It’s one of the best outdoor games. You can find a variety of different options at Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc. They are normally not too expensive. Here is a best selling option from Amazon.
It’s a fun outdoor game where players throw bolas (two balls connected by a string) at a ladder-like structure with three rungs. Each rung has a different point value. Players aim to wrap their bolas around the rungs to score points.
9. Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is one of the best yard games. The aim is to get your bocce balls as close to the pallino as possible. Players or teams can knock opponents’ balls away to improve their position. The game is played on a flat, smooth surface, such as a lawn or a specially designed bocce court playing field. This makes it perfect for the backyard!
10. Backyard Bowling
Who doesn’t love a good game of bowling? After all, it’s one of those classic outdoor games. Outdoor bowling is a fun and easy game where players roll a ball towards a set of pins, just like traditional bowling! Set it up in your backyard or any flat outdoor space.
It typically uses plastic or wooden pins and a lightweight ball. Players take turns rolling the ball, and points are scored based on the number of pins knocked down. It’s a great activity for parties, family gatherings, and outdoor events!
11. Set Up a Timed Obstacle Course
Setting up an adult obstacle course can be a fantastic way to add excitement and physical activity to your outdoor party. Start by selecting a spacious area in your backyard or a nearby park.
Use everyday items like cones, ropes, tires, and wooden planks to create various challenges such as crawling under ropes, balancing on beams, jumping over hurdles, and weaving through cones. You can also incorporate fun activities like sack races or carrying a weighted object! First one to cross the finish line wins.
12. Water Balloon Toss
Who said water balloons are just for kids? Adults have SO much fun and can get pretty competitive. Plus, buying a pack of water balloons is super cheap so won’t break the bank.
13. Adult Scavenger Hunt
Plan an adult scavenger hunt in the backyard with clues that lead to something fun – like dessert! You can get so creative with this and don’t have to spend a cent. You can even print out cute little cue cards. If you’re stumped for ideas, research fun adult scavenger hunt ideas and I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration to help you.
14. Relay Races
Partner the couples up for relay races! Of course you don’t need to buy anything for this one, but if you wanted to grab some colored batons (the different colors just make it more exciting) that’s always fun. Lookup relay race ideas and do fun things like walking with an egg on a spoon, Or, you could tie one of each partners legs together for a three legged relay race. Sometimes a simple game idea ends up being the best!
Outdoor Games from Amazon:
While the aforementioned games are your more traditional, well known games, Amazon also has a pile of super unique and fun outdoor games for adults. I’ll list a few of my favorites down below! These are definitely worth checking out if you are planning a fun outdoor party and want your guests to have a GREAT time.
- Kan Jam Disc Toss Game – Similar to cornhole or horseshoes, the goal of this frisbee game is to toss the disc toward the target and, with your partner’s help, jam it into the Kan.
- Giant Inflatable Skee-Ball Game – A bit more of an investment, but man this looks fun!
- Inflatable Basket Heads – You’ll blow these up and have team members wear these baskets on their heads. Score points by catching the balls in your inflatable head basket!
- Toss Across – This is a classic! It’s super fun outside. Adults love this just as much as kids.
- Popdarts Suction Cup Throwing Game – I’ve never seen anything else like this one. It’s fun for indoors or outdoors.
- Awe Throw & Lawn Dart Set – An easy to set up target for plenty of axe throwing!
Conclusion
Outdoor games like cornhole, Spikeball, Jenga, charades, horseshoes, badminton, tic-tac-toe, ladder toss, bocce ball, and outdoor bowling offer endless fun and entertainment for people of all ages. These great party games encourage physical activity, teamwork, and friendly competition, making them perfect for family gatherings, parties, and social events.
Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced challenge or a relaxed activity, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So gather your friends and family, head outside, and make lasting memories with these fantastic outdoor games!