Staying inside is great, but when the sun is shining and the yard is calling, there's nothing better than a fun lawn game to bring people together outdoors. There are a ton of different yard games to choose from, ranging from timeless classics to new experiences. If you're looking for some fun lawn games to play outside, we've got you covered.
TL;DR – These are the Best Yard Games of 2024
- Cornhole
- PutterBall
- Spikeball
- Giant Jenga
- Kan Jam
- Ladder Toss
- Croquet
- Bocce Ball
- Badminton
- Yard Pong
- Horseshoes
There are actually a lot of different things to consider when it comes to choosing a yard game. You need to understand the limits of the space you have as well as how many people you expect to be playing at once. For our picks for the best outdoor yard games of 2024, take a look below.
Cornhole
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: Official Cornhole Rules
Cornhole is one of those classic yard games you will find just about everywhere. The game is simple enough in that you just need two boards with holes in them and a couple of sets of bags to start playing. You can play with 2 players (one on either side) or 4 players (2 on either side).
There are a lot of different cornhole sets you can buy, but the best ones tend to be wood rather than plastic. Wooden cornhole sets tend to have a higher price point, but they tend to have less bounce and the bags usually slide better. There are also various collapsible cornhole sets that are better for travel.
PutterBall
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: PutterBall Rules
If you're limited to a a deck, patio, or a small patch of yard, one great outdoor game you can play is PutterBall. It's one of the best indoor golf games that you can easily enjoy outside as well. The game itself is essentially yard pong with putters. Each side takes a put trying to slowly fill in the cups on the opponent's side. Once one team has made all 6 cups, the opponent has a chance to make them all in a row and catch back up.
It's a simple game that you can set up pretty much anywhere and it's slow place makes it a wonderful hangout game.
Spikeball
Number of Players: 4
Rules: Official Spikeball Rules
Fairly new to the yard game scene, Spikeball is a mix of volleyball and foursquare. You essentially have 2 teams with 2 players on each team, a net in the middle, and a ball you spike into the net. One team serves into the net, and the opposing team needs to work together to hit the ball back into the net before it hits the ground. It's a very active game that will leave both teams sweating.
The best option to buy is the official Spikeball set, which comes with the net, balls, a carrying case, and the official rulebook. You can also purchase knock-off versions for cheaper, but they likely won't be as good as the official set. If you're willing to pay more, you can upgrade to the Spikeball Pro Kit, which features a stronger net and a new ball design.
Giant Jenga
Number of Players: 2-6
Rules: Official Jenga Rules
If you're looking for a great dexterity game that doesn't require much athletic ability or coordination, then Jenga is exactly what you need. And though you can certainly play regular-sized Jenga in your backyard, it is a lot more fun to pull out some Giant Jenga to increase the fun.
There are different sizes available depending on how giant you want your Jenga to be, but the standard size stacks to just over 4 feet. The same rules of the game apply, the scale is just much larger. You should also make sure there aren't any small children or pets close by when the tower inevitably comes crashing down.
Kan Jam
Number of Players: 4
Rules: Official KanJam Rules
If you like throwing frisbees at cans while your friend tries to smack it into them, then Kan Jam is the weirdly specific game you need in your life. The game is essentially cornhole but with frisbees and a little bit more involvement from the side that isn't throwing. You set the two cans up about 50 feet away from each other and try to score points by hitting the can or getting the frisbee into different holes.
Kan jam is a great option for when you have plenty of space. Since you need about 50 feet of room between the two sides, it's especially good for larger backyards or a day out at the beach.
Ladder Toss
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: Ladder Golf Official Rules
Ladder Toss, also known as Ladder Golf or Ladder Ball, is a fairly simple game that has similar rules to horseshoes or cornhole. You can play a 1 on 1 game or choose to play in teams of 2. The goal is to essentially what looks like 2 balls on a string so that it wraps around one of the different rungs on the ladder. Each rung is worth different point amounts, and the opposing player can even knock them off with their toss to remove your points.
Ladder Toss is a relaxing game that anyone can play and you don't need that much yard space to do it. Although there are some versions that use real golf balls and a wooden ladder, it's just as fun with the ones made of PVC pipes and plastic.
Croquet
Number of Players: 2-6
Rules: Croquet Official Rules
Croquet is a lawn game that can be traced all the way back to 14th century France, and it's still around for a reason: It's quite delightful. The game itself is played by whacking balls through hoops with wooden mallets. Although the rules are pretty specific, the actual course you play through is entirely customizable seeing as you set up the hoops yourself.
Croquet can be played by up to 6 people at a fairly leisurely pace and doesn't require that much yard space to set up a course. If you're looking for a relaxing backyard experience for a gathering of family and friends, Croquet is a timeless and worthwhile option.
Bocce Ball
Number of Players: 2-8
Rules: Bocce Ball Official Rules
Perhaps the oldest lawn game on this list, Bocce Ball can be traced all the way back to 5200 B.C. It's a fun game that has been gaining popularity in the United States thanks to it's simplicity. You start by tossing a smaller ball out into the yard (or Bocce Ball pit) and then following it up by trying to get larger balls as close as possible by tossing or rolling them toward the smaller ball.
The game is played with 2 teams who work to score points in each round and knock other players out of scoring position. It's an extremely portable game and requires no setup at all, so it's an ideal option for folks who want something quick and easy.
Badminton
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: Badminton Official Rules
Badminton is a lot like tennis or pickleball, but it's played with something weirdly called a shuttlecock rather than a ball. The game is fairly simple, there are players on either side of the net who try to hit the shuttlecock with a long racket before it hits the ground. Don't let the simplicity fool you, though, badminton is an Olympic sport and requires a decent amount of hand-eye coordination to be played effectively.
The main downside of badminton is that it does require you to set up the net properly before you play. However, once it's up it also doubles as a decent volleyball net so you can get multiple uses out of it.
It's also worth noting both of those yard games are available to play virtually with a copy of Nintendo Switch Sports.
Yard Pong
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: House Rules
If you've ever played beer pong in your lifetime, then you've probably had the thought: "I wish we could play this outside with buckets". Well, fortunately for you, yard pong is a thing that exists and does just that. The rules are also very similar in that there are buckets on either side and the goal is to land a ball into them until your team has made a ball in every bucket.
Also similar to beer pong, the rules absolutely depend on the household. You can decide whether or not a bounce counts as 2 or what happens when a team makes the same bucket in the same turn. Please don't put beer in your bucket, though.
Horseshoes
Number of Players: 2-4
Rules: Horseshoes Official Rules
Although horseshoes is best played in a horseshoe pit, all you really need is a couple of stakes and the shoes to set it up in your backyard. The game is pretty simple in that there are 2 teams that try to throw the horseshoes and ring them around the stake to score points. You can also core points by being close to the stake or having your shoe lean up against it.
There are multiple types of horseshoe sets you can get for your backyard, but we recommend getting the ones made of real metal. If you're planning on playing with young kids, you can also get the cheaper plastic versions that are easier to throw and won't cause damage if you hit someone with them.
How to Choose the Right Yard Game for You
Picking out the perfect lawn game is dependent on a variety of different factors. Things like yard space, number of people, and type of people can drastically affect how fun a yard game is going to be for everyone involved. If you have a really small yard, you're going to want something that doesn't take up much room. And if you have a large number of players, you're probably going to want a game that can accommodate more than 4 at a time.
That being said, the most important factor for purchasing a yard game is whether or not it's something you and your friends and family will enjoy playing.
What's the Best Yard Game for Small Yards?
If you don't have much space in your yard, the best options are the games that don't require any movement or setup. Giant Jenga is an excellent option in this scenario in that you really only need a small, flat surface to play on. The same goes for PutterBall and Yard Pong, which requires very little room to set up and can be played with just two peopl. Games like cornhole and Kan Jam might be harder to play without more room.
What's the Best Beach Game?
A lot of yard games will also work well for the beach, but because sand is very different than grassy terrain, your options get narrowed quite a bit. Spikeball is arguably the best beach game because the sand provides a soft landing for those who wish to dive. Both badminton and Kan Jam are also great options for the beach, but it depends on how windy it is.
What's the Best Yard Game for Big Yards?
If you happen to have quite a bit of space in your backyard, then you have a lot more flexibility in your choice of yard games. If you want to take advantage of all that space, you will likely want to go with a badminton set or a frisbee game like Kan Jam. Another great option is just playing Bocceball or Croquet across a much larger area that you usually would.
What Yard Games Can You Without Equipment?
Equipment for some of the best yard games can be expensive and take up quite a bit of room in storage. So if you're hunting for ideas for outdoor entertainment that don't require any equipment, there are a few different games you can play. With a decent-sized outdoor space you can play capture the flag, hide and seek, sardines, or just some classic tag.
Jacob Kienlen is an SEO Specialist and Entertainment Writer at IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor's degree in communication and over 6 years of professional writing experience, his expertise is spread across a variety of different topics -- from TV series to indie games and sports.
