5 Backyard Games for Unforgettable Summer Fun

There is simply no better time than the summer to enjoy an outdoor activity with friends and family. The warm Middle Tennessee weather in the summer months is the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while engaging in some friendly competition.

There are plenty of options for backyard games that everyone can enjoy regardless of age or skill level.

Are you looking for your next excuse to get outside and enjoy the pleasant summer weather? Here are some low-maintenance options that will provide you with hours of fun!

Bocce Ball

A beautifully simple game, bocce ball only requires a bocce ball set and a yard! Bocce sets can be found in a variety of materials from metal to plastic. It will always consist of eight larger balls with one smaller ball (called the “Jack”) and usually a carrying case and instructions.

The game itself is pretty simple: start by throwing the “Jack” to a certain part of your yard, then the teams take turns tossing or rolling the larger balls at the “Jack” with the goal of landing it as close as possible to the “Jack.” You can utilize your entire yard and throw from any direction, so you can play for hours!

Cornhole

Even if you have never heard of cornhole, you’ve probably seen it in action. Cornhole has been a staple of barbecues and tailgates for years and will always be a classic thanks to its simple setup and execution.

Cornhole requires two cornhole “targets” (tilted platforms with a circular hole cut out at the top end) and 6-8 bean bags. The targets are placed directly across from each other (modify the distance to accommodate younger players) and two teams of two people take turns tossing the bean bags at the platforms with the goal of making it into the cutout hole.

There are different point values for different situations, such as a beanbag just landing on the platform. It is up to you how to score the game and how it is won though most people play until one team reaches a certain score.

Badminton

A classic if there ever was one, badminton has always been around. Essentially, badminton is a backyard friendly mix of tennis and volleyball.

The rules of badminton are simple, use your racquet to send the birdie to your opponents’ side of the net (in bounds!), and don’t let the birdie touch the ground on your side.

Most games are played to 21 points, but this can easily be changed to suit your needs. Badminton sets are sold at virtually every sporting goods store in a variety of sizes, materials and colors. Most sets will include everything you need, but make sure that your set includes stakes and tie-down ropes.

Horseshoes

Another classic game that has stood the test of time, horseshoes can provide unlimited hours of fun. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has never played horseshoes, and even if you did, it would take you no time to explain the concept to them.

The game involves throwing horseshoes at a stake from an appropriate distance. The closer the horseshoe lands to the stake, the more points are awarded (similar concept to cornhole). Just like most backyard games, it is sold in sets in all sorts of varieties.

Ladder Golf

One of the newer lawn games, ladder golf is quickly emerging as a favorite amongst families all over the country. While there are sets you can buy, some people have turned this game into a project and made their own ladder golf equipment.

In ladder golf, you take turns tossing bolas (two golf balls connected by rope) at the “ladder” style targets that will contain three horizontal bars. The goal is to toss the bola so that it wraps around one of the bars and it must come to rest while staying on the bar. One point is awarded for a bola wrapped around the bottom rung of the “ladder”, two points for the middle bar and three points for the top bar.

The game can be played to whichever point value you decide, but 21 points (while not going over) is the most common goal.

Make these games a part of your outdoor time this summer and create lasting memories with your friends and family!