The 8 Best Backyard Games for the Whole Family

With fall in full swing, our warm days outside are numbered. To soak up the sun, we've got the ultimate guide to the best backyard games for the family. Setting up each one takes less than five minutes, so the games begin ASAP.

Bounce around on trampolines, set up backyard pizza night and then go to town making use of your outdoor space. These backyard games are guaranteed winners for memorable family fun.

What to look for in the best backyard games

Before we hibernate indoors, we’re in some serious need of quality family time outdoors. The best way to spend time together? Grab a game—more specifically, a backyard game.

From giant lawn bowling to lawn checkers, these picks are fun to play. We love the weather-resistant construction, oversized pieces and inevitable hours of family fun.

Best backyard games to buy now

• Best overall: Backyard Lawn Bowling
• Best for kids: Arcade Basketball Game Set
• Best for adults: Classic Cornhole Set
• Best for toddlers: 3-in-1 Carnival Game Set 
• Best budget: Flying Disc Game Set
• Best luxury: Four in a Row
• Best for large groups: Yard Pong
• Best rated: Racket Ball 

Best overall

Backyard Lawn Bowling

Save hundreds of dollars and trips to the bowling alley with this giant lawn bowling set. With 10 wooden pins and two balls, you’ll all feel like pro bowlers in no time. And that's minus the ugly bowling shoes. We love the mesh carrying case, allowing you to bring it out and pack it up easily.

You’re a strike away from peak family bonding.

Pros

• Easy to set up and clean
• Made for indoor and outdoor spaces
• Carrying bag included
• No formal bowling attire

Cons

• The pins might not lay flat on your lawn, but it's still incredibly fun

Best for kids

Arcade Basketball Game Set

Shooting some hoops just got easier. When your kids are feeling restless on the weekends, set up their own personal basketball court. Get your kids dressed in their best sports gear and hit slam dunk after slam dunk from the comfort of their backyard. This set is ultra-portable and can easily be used indoors, too.

Move it from the yard to the driveway at will, and then bring it into your basement or family room when the weather turns crisp. They’ll get so good you might have to sign them up for basketball lessons.

Pros

• Portable
• Clear instructions on how to set up
• Playful design that feels inspiring
• Great for kids to play solo outdoor games as well

Cons

• Height might not be friendly for younger kids
• Not wind-friendly

Best for adults

Classic Cornhole Set

Put the kids to bed and bring out a classic, low-stakes game to relax outside. We love this classic cornhole set. With simple instructions and a good dose of hand-eye coordination, you’ll feel less stressed in no time.

The best part? The bean bags are made for any and all weather conditions—perfect for year-round yard games.

Pros

• Requires minimal set-up
• All-weather bean bags
• Boards come in a variety of patterns

Cons

• Prone to molding if left outside, so be sure to move it to a garage or shed when not in use

Best for toddlers

3-in-1 Carnival Game Set

Bright and colorful, you can officially bring these beloved carnival games into your backyard. Designed as the ideal size for toddlers, they’ll easily keep their mind stimulated with this multi-purpose game set. Whether they choose the ring toss or give the bean bag toss a go, each game enforces a lack of color discrimination and team cooperation from an early age.

Pros

• Mix of bean bags and rings to toss
• Fun colored accessories will excite tots
• Cones and rings are perfect size for toddlers

Cons

• Some items are made of plastic, easy to break and/or dent
• Bean bags are visibly larger than other accessories, making it difficult for toddlers to hold

Best budget

Flying Disc Game Set

Throwing a frisbee has always been a fun pastime activity, but it’s a bit old-fashioned. This game levels up a dated idea with bright blue stands and black discs, allowing to balance any item on its top. Included in the set is a trusty frisbee, which is durable and sturdy for outdoor use. Just shy of $25, this activity will unite generations of past, present and future.

Pros

• Set-up takes 2-3 minutes
• Disc stands are adjustable, making it easier for a variety of heights
• Comes with sturdy drawstring bag, allowing for seamless transport

Cons

• Not wind-friendly

Best luxury

Four in a Row

Peak outdoor play is the name of the game with this giant Connect 4 set. Famously known as a board game, the gaming experience is effortlessly elevated with this sleek, modern life-size version. This all-ages game requires minimal skill and a ton of team spirit. The entire family will be cheering to crown the champion—team red or blue?

It's one of the classic table games transformed into brilliant, oversized lawn games for the entire family to enjoy. We love the friendly competition. Pair it with, family, friends and backyard barbecue food for the ultimate memorable event.

Have more space in your yard? Try adding giant Jenga, bocce ball set and tic-tac-toe sets next to it.

Pros

• Collapsible design makes it easy to set up and store
• Wind-friendly
• Includes two sturdy legs
• Spacious amount of playing surface

Cons

• Have to turn the game upside down to release pieces

Best for large groups

Yard Pong

Cup pong fans need to know about this. Try yard pong instead. It's easy to understand with flexible rules. Everyone is bound to love this game—young and old alike.

With sturdy buckets and different balls designed for different times of the day, yard pong can be brought out in broad daylight or for a nighttime party. It also enhances engagement and active play in bigger families. Score points and smiles with this one.

Pros

• Includes glow-in-the-dark buckets and balls
• Fill with sand or water to prevent falling over
• Flexible rules, making it kid-friendly
• Ideal for friends and family of varied ages and stages
• Booze-free take on beer pong's classic toss game system
• Fun for a large number or players or small

Cons

• Glow-in-the-dark features are not guaranteed to last (they can be left in direct sunlight to absorb the sunshine)

Best rated

Wham Racket Ball

This Wham racket ball set is highly praised on Amazon thanks to loads of five-star ratings. It's a classic American game and enforces great hand-eye coordination skills. We love that it encourages healthy, fun physical activity while enjoying the fresh outdoors! Play this game in a fenced yard or a wide, open park (just make sure you don't hit others with the ball).

It's a timeless backyard game we love for older kids, parents and friends.

Pros

• Seamless set-up, making it effortless to be active
• Easy-to-learn instructions
• Sturdy ball, allowing for consistent play-time
• Allows you to make up various different games with racket and ball

Cons

• Best for children eight years and up with adult supervision
• Ideal for warm weather