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Outdoor Games & Backyard Activities That Actually Get People Off Their Phones
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items The games I bring out every summer without fail. No complicated setup, no broken rules arguments, just the kind of fun that keeps people outside until it gets dark.
Sections
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🏸 Classic Lawn Games For Groups
🏄 Portable Games For Beach & Park
🍹 Drinks And Setup For Outdoor Play
🏸 Classic Lawn Games For Groups
The tried and tested ones that work for any crowd, any age, and any backyard. Pull one of these out and everyone knows what to do.
The undisputed king of backyard games. Two boards, eight bags, and you have an activity that works for two people or twenty. Target has solid sets at every price point, from basic starter options to tournament-grade boards. Once you have a set you'll...
Cornhole Set | Target
Slow-paced enough that you can hold a beer and play at the same time, strategic enough that it stays interesting for hours. Bocce works on grass, dirt, sand, or pretty much any flat surface. It's the game that always brings out unexpected competitive...
Bocce Ball Set | Target
If you want something with more intensity that gets people moving, Spikeball is the answer. Fast, competitive, and takes about three minutes to learn but much longer to master. Works on any surface and takes up almost no space in a car. My go-to when...
Spikeball Set | Target
A net set that converts between badminton and volleyball depending on the mood. One purchase, two games. The kind of thing that comes out every single weekend from June through September. Target has options that hold up to real outdoor use without fa...
Badminton and Volleyball Combo Set | Target
🏄 Portable Games For Beach & Park
The games that travel easily and work anywhere you end up. These fit in a bag, set up in minutes, and work just as well at the beach as in the backyard.
A frisbee game you can set up in literally two minutes on any flat surface. Two cans, one disc, four players, and you have a game that goes for hours. It is surprisingly addictive and once you know how to play you want to bring it everywhere. The tra...
Kan Jam Flying Disc Game | Target
Pickleball has taken over and for good reason. It is fast, easy to pick up, and works for every fitness level. A portable net and paddle set from REI means you can set it up in any open space, a parking lot, a park, a beach promenade. One of the best...
Portable Pickleball Set | Decathlon
If you want to upgrade from a standard set to something that's actually yours, these custom boards from Etsy are the move. Your name, your team, your design. Solid wood construction that holds up season after season and looks a lot better than generi...
Personalized Cornhole Boards | Etsy
🍹 Drinks And Setup For Outdoor Play
Keeping people fed, hydrated, and comfortable is what separates a good afternoon outside from a great one.
Cold drinks are non-negotiable for any outdoor game session that lasts more than an hour. REI's selection includes everything from lightweight soft coolers for a quick trip to the park to hard-sided options that keep ice for days. A good cooler pays ...
Portable Cooler | REI
A sturdy foldable table gives you somewhere to put the drinks, the snacks, and whatever game equipment is not in use. Wayfair has solid options that set up in seconds, fold flat for storage, and handle real outdoor use without wobbling. The kind of t...
Outdoor Foldable Table | Wayfair
The thing that turns an afternoon session into an all-evening event. Hang these around the game area and suddenly nobody wants to go inside. Warm Edison bulbs, easy to hang, and they make every photo from the evening look great. Once you have them up...
Outdoor String Lights for Evening Games | Target
Everyone needs a cold drink within reach when you're playing games outside in summer heat. A good insulated tumbler keeps drinks cold for hours and doesn't make your hands wet with condensation. REI's selection covers everything from YETI to Hydro Fl...
Insulated Tumbler Set for Outdoor Entertaining | REI