Top 10 Family-Friendly Outdoor Games for the End of Summer

Nothing beats getting the family together for some outdoor games and fresh air. And with those lovely long evenings, warm weather, and relaxed vibe of the holiday months, summer’s the perfect time to gather everyone for some fun!

But why limit yourself to the same few games or activities you always do? Add some fresh backyard games into the mix and you’ll get everyone thinking differently, learning new skills, and bringing fresh energy to your family gatherings! You’ll create fantastic new memories while you share these special moments!

The great thing about family-friendly fun outdoor games is that you can pick different ones to suit your outdoor space, family age groups, ability levels, and other factors. You don’t even need to spend a lot of money, and perhaps one of the best things of all… no technology is required! Summer is the perfect opportunity to put those phones, gaming consoles, and tablets down and remember what a great outdoor gaming session really feels like!

With fun outdoor games, there is something for everyone. As huge fans of Cornhole and outdoor quality time, our team has rounded up some great ideas for games and activities. Get everyone off those screens and assemble for some family-friendly summer fun!

1. Cornhole – our first choice, always!

OK, you knew we had to start with our favorite game, right? Cornhole is a brilliantly simple game that’s incredibly quick to get the hang of. Even little children can become Cornhole masters, and older people can take part without needing to be overly physical. Got a relative with a mobility aid such as a wheelchair? Not a problem as Cornhole is suitable for everyone!

The simple objective of the game is to throw colorful fabric bean bags at a hole in a raised and angled board. The game requires patience, skill and control… or just a lot of playful enjoyment!

Cornhole doesn’t need a lot of space to play and it doesn’t involve racing either. If you can toss a bean bag, you can play! Set the pace according to your group and energy levels and let all the generations come together to enjoy quality time! Check out our classic boards here. 

2. Get Ready to Run with Capture the Flag

Beloved by kids across the USA and a hot favorite at summer camps, this is a fun game perfect for every backyard. Again, this classic game is easy to play, suitable for groups of all sizes, and ideal for all age ranges.

Although no one knows the origins of this game, the Boy Scouts of America have been playing it for over 60 years, and the objective is to capture the other team’s flag without getting tagged and ‘frozen’ (although don’t worry, as your team-mates can free you!) You’ll need equal numbers of players on each team, and a flag for each team (although you can easily substitute something, like colorful t-shirts). 

3. Tumbling Times with Giant Tumbling Towers

Of all the classic and fun outdoor games, Giant tumbling towers has to be right up there in the classic game category! All you need is a flat section of lawn or outdoor flooring to set up the game, but the important thing is to have a flat and balanced surface. A garden table can be good to elevate the game slightly if needed.

Giant tumbling towers involves making a tall tower of carefully stacked rectangular blocks, for each player to then strategically remove without making the tower collapse! It’s one of the classic lawn games and is great for adults and children alike. It’s also a particularly fun game that works well in a smaller space, or when the energy levels need to start winding down before bedtime!

It’s easy to transport and set up making it a real winner for family gatherings! You can customize and order your set here! 

4. Classic Flying Disc

A frisbee or flying disc is another of the classic fun outdoor games that everyone loves in the summer! It’s also one of the perfect lawn games, as you’ll ideally have plenty of space to run around. If your own backyard isn’t that big, head to the closest park, campsite or beach, depending on where you’re spending your summer afternoon!

Flying discs come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, designed to suit all preferences and hand sizes. For example, you can get traditional frisbees that are like saucers or plates or flat ring shapes with a hollow center. You’ll find plenty of colors, patterns, and sizes for every outdoor space and gathering. 

The beauty of frisbees is that they’re very easy to transport and take on a day trip or holiday. Simply pop one in your bag and start a game when you find yourself and a partner in a suitable outdoor space!

5. Cool Off with Water Balloons 

We would describe water balloons as being for the kids, but we suspect the ‘grown-ups’ would want to include them as suitable games for adults! Everyone remembers filling up water balloons from the hose as a kid and then launching them from a height onto the floor or an unsuspecting sibling or friend!

Water balloons are cheap, fun, incredibly easy to transport and they are great for hot days and outdoor spaces such as backyards and gardens. They’re particularly good for groups of active kids (of all ages) who want to dash about at top speed and get really wet! This is a fun game for a birthday party where everyone’s in the mood for chaos, noise, high energy, and plenty of hysterical laughter!

You can even formalize a game of water balloons by preparing filled balloons of different sizes and splitting your group into two teams. Each team will then take turns tossing a balloon at a member of the other team and see how gently they can catch it. The winner is the person who scores a ‘burst’ upon tossing a balloon!

Start with the smaller size water balloons to warm up and then proceed to the larger overfilled balloons as the skills and exuberance levels grow!

Colored water balloon tag: As a fun variation on the classic water balloon fight, fill each balloon with water colored with food dye. The aim of the game is to ‘dye’ the opposition with a direct hit in a water balloon battle and the winner is the person with a clean t-shirt or the fewest colorful splashes!

6. Garden Twister – Don’t forget the bug spray! 

You might already be familiar with the classic game of Twister. In this game, two people take turns placing their hands and feet on a grid of colorful dots until one becomes so unbalanced that they collapse! It’s a game that results in a lot of giggles and silliness, and it’s great for people who enjoy twisting themselves in silly shapes!

But if you don’t have a Twister mat, you can simply spray-paint colorful dots onto your garden lawn and recreate the six-by-four grid yourself (or any other combination you want to try.) This makes for a ready game that you can prepare in advance, and then it requires no other kit if you’re inviting guests over. Just direct everyone to the lawn twister experience!

7. Tug of War

What could be simpler or more classic than a game of Tug of War! All you need is a length of rope and some willing participants! Split your group up into two so that everyone is as equally matched in height, weight, and strength as possible, and then appoint your adjudicator to blow the whistle to signal the beginning of the tugging challenge!

The winning team will be able to pull the other team forwards over a line, and you can rematch as often as you like, in different combinations, and also try individual or pair challenges as well as team challenges! This is a great family game to entertain more energetic players while those inclined to relax can watch and cheer with a glass of something cool in the shade!

8. Treasure Hunt – for the explorers out there!

A treasure hunt is a really family-friendly outdoor game or challenge and it can also be set up well in advance, making it great for a birthday family or a special gathering. Simply choose an item of treasure and take a photo of it to show the participants, before you hide it somewhere in your outdoor space.

The objective of the game is simply for participants to hunt for the treasure and the winner is the first to find it. This is a great game for children and adults alike and it can be tailored to match all abilities. It tends to be particularly good for smaller children who might be a little unsteady on their feet for the more energetic running and racing games. Small children are often very good at finding even the toughest treasures too!

9. Be Unique with a Blanket Drag Race

Sometimes the most fun outdoor games are the silliest and this is a great example! With the blanket drag race, the clue is in the name and all you’ll need is a soft lawn and a few robust blankets! Split your participants into teams of two or more and challenge each team to pull a ‘rider’ across the marked race course on the blanket. 

The winning team reaches the end of the course first! Prepare for lots of energy, noise, cheering, and possibly a torn blanket or two all in the name of good summer fun!

 10. For the Foodies: Tallest/Best Burger Challenge 

When it’s time to relax and sit down around the BBQ together, why not bring the gaming spirit into the mix. See which of your guests can assemble the best looking and tallest hamburger… and then crown the person that finishes theirs as the winner! This is a great example of games for adults, especially if the kids are still all running around but you’re ready to eat, with some competitive fun!

Get Outside with Cornhole Worldwide’s Outdoor Games

Which of these fun outdoor games will you try with your family this summer? Check out our selection of classic outdoor games to make your gathering even more special, and create lasting memories with the people in your life that matter the most? Looking for a custom cornhold board? Click here to learn more.