21 Creative Outdoor Games for Families and Friends

Outdoor Games are Perfect for Your Back Yard!

 Love getting together with other families?

Try these outdoor games for families that will bring lots of giggles, memories and “can you believe he did that” events!

Why outdoor games?

Because our kids need us to be COMPLETELY present with them — plus they need vitamin D3 (the sunshine vitamin)!

Our family is not only passionate about playing together (because families who play together, stay together), but we’re also passionate about keeping our Family Fun Nights!

outdoor games for families

It’s a tradition we love!

We even have a HUGE list of family night fun games and snacks.

You’ll also love printables that go with it!

You can snag those below!

When it comes to family and fun, go beyond dinner and a movie and be creative!

Download The Family Night Printables HERE!

As my Grandma always says, “Stop and smell the roses!”

So stop and play some outdoor games!

Outdoor Games for Families and Friends

Outdoor Games #1: Tall Man Hamburger Contest

Grilling out it totally fun when families get together for some fellowship.

This contest is for the hamburger gurus who love nothing more than a juicy, piled high, perfectly stacked hamburger.

Adults love this game, but you can have a mini-contest for the kids, too.

It’s simple and to the point — my kind of game!

Assemble your hamburgers extra tall and pile them up with any and every condiment in the world of hamburgers.

The first person to get their entire tall man hamburger eaten wins!

Get ready, get set — EAT!

Outdoor Games #2: Lawn Twister

guys playing outdoor games

Create your own Twister game in your backyard by following these instructions at One Good Thing by Jillee!

Outdoor Games #3: Candy Balloon Relay

Balloons are always fun — especially when you race to pop them!

If you have any balloons left after this game, try these crazy-fun balloon crafts too!

For this outdoor game, divide everyone into two teams.

Give each player a balloon with a piece of candy stuffed inside.

Each player must run to a designated spot, pop their balloon, open their candy, eat and swallow their candy and run back to tag the next player.

First, team to pop all their candy balloons wins!

Be sure to choose candies that are not considered choking hazards.

Outdoor Games #4: Boochie Game

This crazy new game involves players of all ages.

“Playing ball” has definitely been jazzed up with some new modern details.

Fun throws, giggles and loads of memories are jam-packed in this highly rated and loved game!

Outdoor Games #5: Water Balloon Challenge

If you don’t have any shade in your yard, this is a perfect game to cool off.

Partner everyone up and has them toss water equally filled and sized water balloons back and forth.

outdoor game ideas

Hey, we all know the smaller, lesser-filled balloons are more difficult to pop!

No cheating!

Each pair starts close together and gradually steps back after each toss.

The pair that lasts the longest without popping their water balloon wins!

Oh, and if you want to fill up 100 water balloons in ONE MINUTE you need to grab this gadget.

Now, water balloon relays and fights just got more fun!

Outdoor Games #6: Outdoor obstacle course.

Races get everyone in the mood for a little competition, and you can create a killer obstacle course just from what you have lying around.

Use your swing set, trampoline, old tires, and ropes to create a stellar obstacle course.

Divide your group into two teams and see which team gets through it the quickest.

Outdoor Games #7: Lawn Jarts.

Think horseshoes, but played with aerodynamic, foam darts!

Perfect for families with kids and teens.

This super compact game is easy to take on your next vacation or just set up in your back yard!

Outdoor Games #8: Colorful water tag.

There are so many variations of tag, but nothing is quite as fun as something messy.

Fill your water balloons with water, and add a little food coloring (make sure everyone is wearing play clothes).

The person who is “It” must tag someone by throwing a colorful water balloon.

Once the person is tagged with color, they are “It.”

Keep playing until water balloons are gone.

A person without any color wins the game!

Outdoor Games #9: Giant, Inflatable Bowling.

Adults, kids and teens love outdoor bowling!

It’s going to be tough to get people to go home after you get started with this GIANT, inflatable version of bowling in your back yard!

Outdoor Games #10: Slippery Tug of War

A good ole’ game of tug of war is always fun. Divide your teams up evenly for this fun game.

Use a tarp in the area of the game and add soap and water to it. As the teams struggle to keep their balance, let the tugging begin.

Outdoor Games #11: DIY Giant Jenga

Jenga has always been a classic favorite for group games!

Take this incredibly popular game up a few notches by making your very own, giant, outdoor version.

playing an outdoor game called Jenga

Find out all the details at A Beautiful Mess.

Outdoor Games #12: Slide and Toss

A super creative game that combines waster, sliding and tossing!

LOVE IT!

games for the outdoors

Grab the full instructions at How Does She.

Outdoor Games #13: Water Balloon Dodge Ball

It’s dodge ball, but with water balloons!

Simple, fun and a LOT less painful than traditional dodge ball!

Outdoor Games #14: Blanket Drag Race

Grab some blankets and attempt to pull your team mate across the lawn as fast as you possibly can.

Obviously things will be a lot easier if your partner is under 4 feet tall!

Outdoor Games #15: Glow In the Dark Bowling

Is it dark outside and your family and friends still want to play bowling?

No problem! Make your own glow-in-the-dark bowling set!

Find all the instructions at Crafts by Amanda.

Outdoor Games #16: Picnic Basket Relay

Several teams compete to see who can set up a picnic first (lay down the blanket, set up the silverware and plates, etc.) the fastest!

When one player finishes setting it up, they rush to get everything back in the basket, and then pass it off to the next player.

games for families that are outdoor

Outdoor Games #17: Outdoor Pictionary

Place a giant chalkboard or dry erase board outside and play Pictionary!

Outdoor Games #18: Heart Zap

So simple and incredibly fun!

outdoor games families love

Here’s a secret — you can use ANY shape….circles, squares, moons, stars, sun etc.

It’s great for all ages and can be played anywhere that you can bounce a tennis ball!

Find out all the details to this game here.

Outdoor Games #19: Drip, Drip, Dunk

A fun twist to Duck, Duck Goose. Instead of repeating “Duck, Duck, Goose,” players will repeat “Drip, Drip, DUNK!”

On the word “DUNK!” the person who is “it” will dump water on the person’s head!

Outdoor Games #19: Balloon Stomp

Players have a balloon tied to each of their ankles and everyone runs around the yard trying to pop other players’ balloons using their feet.

The last one left with an unpeopled balloon is the winner!

Outdoor Games #20: Flashlight Hide and Tag

As soon as it gets dark, choose an “It.”

The chosen person waits three minutes while everyone hides.

After three minutes he hunts for all the people and “tags” them with a flashlight.

Outdoor Games #21: Outdoor Squirt Gun Painting

playing a game outdoors

Such a fun idea from my friend, Melissa, at Fireflies and Mud-pies!

What Fun Games Does Your Family Play Outside?

Don’t forget to Download The Family Night Printables HERE!

Share your fun ideas with us on Facebook!

*Affiliate links have been added to help you find awesome outdoor games for families.

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