10 best yard games that are super fun to play for both adults and kids

When you think of yard games, the first one that might come to mind is Cornhole. While fun to play, the boards can get a little pricey and heavy to carry around, which is why this lightweight set feels like a great buy at just $44. (It’s just under 27 pounds!)

You get two boards with a smooth laminated sliding surface with six bean bags, and the boards attach together and have handles on the side for easy transportation. Keep in mind, however, that regulation Cornhole boards are 2′ x 4′ — these ones are one foot smaller, but that makes them more portable and perfect for tailgates, beach days or moving them out of the way during barbecues at home.

“Big hit at our summer party!” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “This cornhole set was affordable, easy to store and everyone had a great time using it. Great for all ages!”

If you are looking for somewhat affordable, heavy-duty, wooden Cornhole boards, Amazon sells a set for just under $130. They weigh 40 pounds altogether but come with a bag for carrying them.

Kan Jam is one of those yard games for people with relatively good aim. The goal is to toss a frisbee through a small slot on the front or through the top of the “cans” from 50 feet away. Depending on how you get the frisbee in, you’ll earn points. Play with two or more people in teams, and the first to 21 points wins. Although, getting one in through the small slot is an instant win (and you’ll earn major bragging rights).

While the cans are pretty durable, they’re also relatively easy to set up and they fold flat, so you can store them almost anywhere.

If you want to keep playing when the sun goes down, there’s also a light-up version Amazon shoppers love. “We love the daytime version so we decided to try this ‘light up’ one,” said one fan. “The only downfall is we now play way into the night because no one wants to stop playing. We have had no issues with the lights staying on and love all the color options. I highly recommend!”

No aim? No problem. This game is like a giant version of Connect Four, except you have to try to connect seven game pieces across its 2′ by 3′ wide frame. You also don’t have to tip it over to get the pieces out — there’s a small release lever on the bottom.

It’s perfect for smaller backyard spaces where you might not want a ball or frisbee flying past your heads or over dinner plates and even better for those who can’t throw in a straight line (no shame). The 24-pound wooden set comes with 42 plastic coins and a carrying case. Get it in white or a dark wood stain — whichever matches your backyard’s decor best.

“We played this game at an AirBnb and wanted to get one for our own house. It is such a fun game to have at outdoor parties,” said one Amazon shopper. “It is big, which makes it fun to play, but fits in a nice carrying case. It is sturdy and seems very durable.”

You probably know this game as Jenga. But this off-brand version is nearly half the price as Jenga’s oversized game. Not to mention, this one comes with a few extras like a shapes block and score card where you can list your own rules to switch things up. All stacked up, the blocks measure four feet high.

“Setting up the tower is an exciting task in itself, with each block carefully placed to create a towering structure,” said one person. “Whether I’m playing with friends, family, or even coworkers at a team-building event, this game never fails to entertain and create unforgettable moments. Plus, the oversized blocks add an extra element of challenge and excitement.”

Lawn darts sound a little scary, but don’t worry, these ones aren’t the sharp, pointy kind that were banned in the 90s. Instead, they’re rounded and have a soft, shock-absorbing tip. Essentially, you have to get your dart in a circle and weights on the bottom of them help them stand up — it’s pretty simple. But to amp up the fun, this set glows in the dark, so you can play at night as well. The set includes four darts, four rings and a carrying case.

“Not only is this super fun and a total reminder of my own childhood but it’s not nearly as dangerous as it was back then by a long shot,” said one player. “It is actually really fun and playing in the dark with the glowing adds an extra level of entertainment. It’s nice that they’re weighted and stand up on their own so it’s easy to see how close to the target you are.”

Croquet is one of the oldest lawn games — it can be traced back to the 13th century! Grab your own set to play in your backyard with up to six people. Don’t know how to play? Basically, you want to be the first player to pass each of their balls (you get two) through all six hoops in both directions and to strike the central peg. You can play with two people or with two teams. 

“Great backyard game,” wrote one Amazon customer. “Fits most any yard. Good for a!l ages. We had three generations all playing at the same time. Added bonus — even non-athletic types can play!”

You may have heard of the college-favorite game beer pong, but do you know about Yard Pong? This game is essentially the same thing, but instead of red solo cups, you use heavy duty buckets, and instead of tiny ping pong balls, you use plastic balls (about the size of softballs). The game comes with 12 buckets, two balls and handy bag to keep it all in, which makes it easy to take from the backyard to the beach.

All ages can play, but of course, like beer pong, adults can keep an alcoholic beverage nearby to sip on while they toss. Although, some Amazon shoppers made things a little more interesting by adding water to the game.

“We used these at the lake. Put some water in the bottom of the buckets and if the other team got a ball in it, your team had to dump the bucket on one of your teammates’ heads. So much laughter,” shared one clever player.

Ladder Toss is great for a few reasons: It’s portable, easy to play (even if you can’t aim) and you can do it with up to four players. The goal is to score the most points by tossing and wrapping bolos around different rungs of the opposite ladder. Each tier ranges in points — the top one gives you the most, so you’ll want to aim for that baby. 

This set has built-in score trackers — to keep all the players honest. And, its PVC ladder is lighweight enough to carry to the park, but durable enough that it won’t tip over or warp. Another plus: The bolo balls are soft rubber instead of plastic, so they’re safe for all ages (and abilities) to use.

“This is the perfect family game!” said one shopper. “We used to play a lot of corn hole outside, but the boards are so heavy. … This ladder toss set is easy to put together, lightweight, and super easy to throw in the car for family picnics at the park, camping, BBQs, etc.”

If you like a fast-paced game and have a competitive side, you’ll love Spikeball. The game is played between two teams of two people and after serving, you and your partner have to hit the ball two times before spiking the ball on the net (hence the name) to earn a point. Some people compare it to volleyball, where you bump, set, spike.

It’s easy to set up and comes with a carrying case for taking it with you wherever you want to play. This set also comes with the net and three balls and a rule book. 

“Spikeball is awesome!” raved one fan. “I will say that it does require a little endurance/agility but the first time I ever played it, me and my friends played for three straight hours! It’s also an awesome game to bring to the beach too. Just takes a second to get good at tracking the ball and hitting it on the net. 10/10 would recommend.”

This set of wooden dice is perfect for a game of Yardzee — the outdoor version of Yahtzee! It comes with six 3.5-inch wooden dice, paper score cards and a carrying case. Of course, you can use the dice to play other games, too, like Bunco or LCR.

“Great game to play with friends on a beautiful day!” shared a fan. “The score card is just like regular Yahtzee, except this one does not have the extra boxes for if you get more than one Yahtzee. We have had multiple uses and all pieces have held up great! That says a lot as I have some friends who like to go all extra with their rolls!”