What's better than some great outdoor family games? Fresh air, exercise, laughs! Even if you don't have a backyard, (some people live in apartments!) But even if you don't have a backyard, you can take these fun outdoor games to the park, whether they be "backyard" board games or more active games.
MORE: Don't forget about these 10 awesome Tag Games!
Our favorite kind of outdoor game is a big scale backyard game that gets the whole family exercising and this list will surely offer up a game you've never played before.
Let's Play!
(Note: this post contains affiliate links.)
Viking Chess!
Find it: Kubb sets at Amazon
Did you know there was such a thing as "Viking Chess?" I didn't, but it sounds like so much fun. Viking Chess is also known as "Kubb," or "Swedish Skittles." Game play involves attempting to topple your opponent's Kubbs from a distance and then, ultimately, bringing down the king. I'm glad to see that Kubb sets are available ready-made, because I think making one is beyond my skill level.
Croquet
Find it: Colorful croquet sets at Amazon
I love croquet. Love. It. I especially enjoy twirling my parasol while waiting for my turn.
Not joking.
Croquet is a lawn game where players use a mallet to move their wooden ball through a series of wickets. The winner of this classic outdoor family game is the player who is the first to do so and strike a peg at the end of the course.
Bocce and Boochie
Find it: Bocce at Amazon and Boochie at Amazon
Bocce's not normally played at the beach, but that's where we first played it. It's a classic game from Europe and you will feel very sophisticated playing it. For an hilarious family version that will make everyone laugh, you must play Boochie Ball! Boochie Ball has players tossing rings and bean bag ball using all sorts of silly techniques. You will not feel sophisticated at all. In fact, you will feel pretty ridiculous.
Giant Jenga
Find it: Giant Jenga at Amazon; make your own Giant Jenga
Most families are familiar with the indoor version of Jenga. But did you know this classic risk-taking game also comes in a giant, outdoor version? It's one of the most fun outdoor family games ever. If you are handy, you can make your own Jenga set using 2 x 4s. It would be fun to paint a rainbow set.
Ladderball Toss
Find it: Ladderball Toss at Amazon
In Ladderball, players toss special balls on a string at the rungs of a special ladder.The great thing about ladderball is that not only is it a great game for families to play together, but kids will enjoy spending time in the backyard practicing. That way you get more "bang for your buck" as the saying goes. This game is also great for giving those visual perception skills a workout.
MORE: 6 games that improve visual perception
Yard Dominoes
Find it: Wood yard dominoes on Amazon; or learn how to make your own giant dominoes
There are many ways to have fun with a set of dominoes. It would be easy to make your own dominoes with all those shipping boxes you've accumulated. Just don't leave your cardboard dominoes out in the rain.
Giant KerPlunk-type Game
Find it: Learn how to make your own backyard KerPlunk-type game
Children of the 1970s will remember playing KerPlunk, but now you can play it super-sized in your backyard! How many sticks can you remove from the hoops before the balls fall down?
Obstacle Course
Find it: Make your own using these ideas for inspiration.
An obstacle course has so many things going for it. It's free. You use your brains to develop the course. Running the course works balance, agility, speed and strategy. And, its always good for some instant smiles.
Cornhole
Find it: Make your own with the regulation measurements; or get a cornhole set at Amazon
This classic outdoor game had some serious regulations! You could go all fancy and make your own, but I bet you could easily fashion something out of cardboard. Or better yet, give your kids the challenge of building their own set! Read the instructions for cornhole here.
Stuck inside with the whole family? Check out our favorite indoor family games.
More fun for outdoor family games:
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