22 Creative Yard Games For Adults

Looking for something to do that’s fun for grownups when the weather is great outside? Peerspace is here to help with 22 creative yard games for adults that test your skill, get you winded, or simply put a smile on everyone’s face. From birthdays to weddings, there is a game here to add extra fun to any special event you have in mind!

1. Break out the frisbee for a game of Kan Jam

Yard games for adults who love being active include frisbee games like Kan Jam! This game has elements of frisbee golf in a more active basketball-like format. There’s a lot of deflection and teamwork involved, and you can score points without actually landing the frisbee inside of the can. Check out the rules here if you’re eager to learn more.

2. Test your throwing skills with Ring Toss

Is there any yard game as nostalgic and easy to understand as ring toss? All you need is a ring toss game labeled with points for each goal scored, and enough rings for your entire group. For a larger party, you might want two sets, which are easy to find on Amazon.

A larger guest list also needs a larger party venue, something Peerspace has plenty of! Our outdoor party venues include spots like this period home in New Orleans, LA, with a spacious backyard, a full bar, a TV set, and other amenities needed for a good time with family and friends.

3. See who has the quickest reflexes with Balloon Snatch

Balloon snatch is fun for all ages and super simple to play. All you need are balloons with points written on them or cash attached to them. One person starts by picking a balloon and blowing it up. But don’t tie it off; you’ll let it go and see who can grab that balloon before it hits the ground. Whoever grabs it gets the points or cash prize and gets to release the next balloon!

4. Play Spikeball in a group of four

We absolutely love Spikeball; it’s like a fast-paced version of volleyball and four square! You bounce the ball off of the round net that’s close to ground level, trying to hit it in a way that the other team can’t return your shot. All you need is a Spikeball set like this one.

5. Test your team’s strength with Tug-Of-War

If you want yard games for adults that don’t require buying a bunch of equipment then it doesn’t get any simpler than tug-of-war. All you need is a rope, preferably knotted for better grip. And a second rope or a strip of tape to mark the boundary that, if crossed, is a loss for that team. Best of all, everyone knows how to play so no need to explain the rules. 

6. Set up the backyard BBQ for some Cornhole

Cornhole is popular enough to be a national backyard pastime in many parts of the country. It’s an easy game to pick up; you just toss a bean bag at the cornhole board to score points. Landing it on the board gets you one and you get more for actually sinking the bean bag inside of the hole. The first team to get 21 points wins!

Looking for a cool place for your big backyard soiree? Then you need to see our guide on how to find an Airbnb with a big backyard for events.

7. Toss some Lawn Darts around together

Do you want to take your darts game out of the bar? Try getting folks together for a game of lawn darts! The rules are basically the same; use the oversized darts to score points by landing them inside of a target like a plastic ring. If you have multiple overlapping rings you can add tiers of points with the smallest target being worth the most.

8. Set up a Bottle Bash pole

Bottle bash is a unique yard game for adults that’s easy to pick up yet has a major skill element. Two teams take turns trying to hit an unbreakable bottle set on top of a pole with a frisbee. If the bottle is hit, the opposing team gets three points. Yet the defending team can also score points by catching either the frisbee or falling bottle for up to 3 points! And then the teams switch roles. Bottle bash can go for as long as you like depending on your point total.

9. Learn the rules of Pétanque

Pétanque is a fun yard game from France that’s simple to learn yet takes a lot of skill. The idea is to try and get your metal ball as close to the target ball (jack) as possible without touching it. You can also knock away other people’s balls with your own. The ball that’s closest wins.

10. Try a game of Mölkky if you like bowling

Originating in Finland, Mölkky is a yard game that is like bowling but with several twists. For one, you’ll be throwing a wooden baton rather than a bowling ball. Second, the idea is to score 50 points – no more and no less. If you go over 50, you end up losing points! It’s another fun game that’s simple yet demands lots of you in terms of skill.

11. Set up a Snake Pit and don’t get bitten

Do you have several pool noodles lying around? Then you already have everything you need for a game of snake pit! The game starts with everyone holding hands in a circle around the “snake pit” of pool noodles. Everyone is trying to pull someone onto a snake without touching one themselves. The first person to get bit is out and the circle shrinks just a little. You keep going until there is only a single person left.

12. Use all of your huge backyard and play Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is an amazing yard game for adults with a big backyard! You break the group up into two or more teams, each team getting a colorful flag that must be hidden somewhere in their zone of the property. The flag has to be hidden well but part of it has to be exposed and visible. 

When the game starts, everyone is free to cross into the other zones to try and find the flag and take it back to their zone for a win. Yet other team members can capture them by tagging them, throwing water balloons, or some other method determined before the game starts. Once captured you’ll have to be rescued by members of your team that make it into the enemy zone!

Capture the Flag is best played at a party venue that’s spacious, like many of the homes for rent we have at Peerspace. For example, this Virginia wine country home includes a big backyard along with the amenities a modern home offers for special occasions.

13. Bring some fury with a game of Dodgeball

Dodgeball has even more of a competitive edge than many of our yard games for adults since whacking someone with a ball is just that satisfying! It’s also a team game that can include as many people as you like. Be sure to save this one for larger yards or parks since you’ll need a lot of space to run around and not bust any windows on a miss.

14. Score some points in Ladder Toss

Ladder toss is a fun yard game that only requires a small ladder with rungs labeled for points and some tossable bolas. You score points by landing your bolas on the ladder’s rungs. Ladder toss is great for 2-4 players but if your party is larger, think about buying a few extra ladders here!

15. See who can catch the Human Piñata

The human piñata is a great game you can work into a backyard BBQ, birthday, or even a wedding reception when you really want to get everyone laughing. It’s like reverse tag: give your best runner a shirt with all kinds of goodies attached to it. The kid version tends to be all candy but feel free to tape on some gift cards, cash, and other adult prizes. Everyone then does their best to grab prizes from the human piñata!

16. Set up a Crossnet field for some volleyball-like fun

Lovers of volleyball, four square, or Spikeball should check out Crossnet sometime! You get to use volleyball-style moves in a four square style playing field. It’s a lot of fun for active adults! 

Check out our favorite backyard birthday party ideas for adults to slay your next outdoor bday bash.

17. Try and catch everyone with Pool Noodle Tag

Remember that pile of pool noodles from earlier? Bring them back for a game of pool noodle tag! The rules are the same as regular tag except you have to score hits with a floppy pool noodle rather than your hands. It adds a fun challenge to this classic game.

18. Set up a Megachess board right on your lawn

Chess is one of the world’s most popular strategy board games. What if we brought it outside – and made it so huge that you have to stand on the board to play? That’s where Megachess comes in! The rules are the same as regular chess; you’ll simply be enjoying it with friends outside and literally walking around the board to survey the game and move pieces.

19. Throw blind with a game of 500

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1127448087962498087/

Find a football and get everyone together for a game of 500! The game is very easy: there is one person who will be tossing the ball and everyone else will be trying to catch it. The tosser turns away from the rest and says a number in the hundreds followed by either alive or dead. They then toss the ball. If they had said “100 alive” then the ball had to be caught in the air to get those points. For “300 dead,” the ball has to be caught on the ground. The first person to get 500 points wins and becomes the new tosser.

20. Test your tossing skill with Washer Toss

Washer toss is easy to learn and takes just seconds to set up for a game! The rules are basic: try to land your washers within the box and as close to the central ring as possible. You can also land the washer within the central ring for even more points.

21. Try and match Four-In-A-Row

Check out this outdoor-sized version of four-in-a-row, the popular tabletop party game! Like the indoor version, you’ll be trying to get four of your color in a row while denying the other team the chance to do the same. It’s a great game for either two players or small groups looking to take turns with each other.

22. Let it all fall with Giant Jenga

Don’t be the person to make the tower fall when playing Jenga! As a yard game for adults, the giant version is just as much a delight. Plus it’s way more satisfying to hear the crash the giant pieces make when they fall.

Yard games for adults: conclusion

Games of skill, games of strength, games of luck…We have yard games for adults that are fun in every possible way! Have you found Peerspace to be a great resource for your party planning needs? If so then take a moment to browse some of our party venues near you as well for any upcoming special occasions!

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