Crafts

Fun DIY Backyard Games

When the sun is shining and the air is warm, there’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors than by playing backyard games that everyone in the family can participate in.

Whether it’s a casual weekend gathering or a special occasion, creating your own DIY backyard games adds a unique, personal touch to the experience. These games aren’t just about competition; they’re about bringing people together, sparking laughter, and creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

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What makes DIY backyard games particularly special is the versatility they offer. With a bit of creativity, you can tailor these games to suit the interests and skill levels of both kids and adults, ensuring that everyone from the youngest to the oldest can join in on the fun.

Plus, the process of making these games can be as enjoyable as playing them, turning a simple idea into a collaborative project that involves the whole family.

So, whether you’re looking to host a summer party, keep the kids entertained during school breaks, or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors, these DIY backyard games are sure to bring joy and excitement to your outdoor space.

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Get ready to roll up your sleeves, unleash your creativity, and transform your backyard into a hub of fun and activity.

1. Incorporate Physical Activity

Focus on games that get everyone moving. Physical activity is essential for both kids and adults, so consider activities that involve running, jumping, or balancing. This keeps the energy high and ensures everyone is actively participating.

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2. Make Use of Natural Elements

Utilize the natural features of your backyard, such as trees, rocks, or open spaces. These elements can be integrated into games, adding a layer of creativity and uniqueness to your activities.

This also helps to reduce the need for additional materials.

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3. Adapt Games for Different Skill Levels

Design games that can be easily adjusted for different ages and abilities. This ensures that both kids and adults can enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed or bored.

Consider creating multiple versions of a game or offering different levels of difficulty.

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Backyard Games

25. DIY Bean Bag Toss from Mod Podge Rocks

DIY Bean Bag Toss

This DIY bean bag toss game uses painted clay saucers with numbered point values to create a fun outdoor activity. Players toss bean bags into the saucers, aiming to score points based on where their bags land, making it a competitive and engaging game for all ages.

The project involves simple steps like painting, cutting out printables, and sealing them onto the saucers with weather-resistant Mod Podge. It’s easy to set up and can be played with multiple people, offering a customizable challenge by adjusting the distance between targets.

24. Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game from Thrift Diving

Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game

23. Ring Toss Game from Mom Endeavors

DIY Ring Toss Backyard Game

This DIY ring toss game provides a fun and interactive outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy. It features a painted wooden base with removable dowels arranged in an “X” pattern, creating a sturdy and colorful target for tossing rings.

The rings are made from nylon rope wrapped securely with duct tape, making them durable and easy to handle. This project encourages creativity through customizable colors and offers a simple way to bring classic summer fun to picnics, reunions, or backyard gatherings.

22. $5 Tarp Game from The Red Headed Hostess

Backyard $5 Tarp Game

This item features a homemade tarp game designed to improve ball-throwing accuracy while providing hours of entertainment. The tarp is marked with various scoring zones and holes reinforced with duct tape to withstand repeated throws, creating a durable and engaging target for players.

Players can compete by throwing balls from different distances, aiming to score points based on where the ball passes through the tarp. The game encourages persistence and friendly competition, making it suitable for family activities, youth groups, or casual gatherings.

21. Human Ring Toss from Kid Friendly Things to Do

Human Ring Toss

This Human Ring Toss game is a lively outdoor activity designed for kids and adults to enjoy together during summer gatherings. Players toss inflatable rings aiming to land them around a teammate’s body, creating a fun and interactive challenge that encourages friendly competition.

The game requires minimal setup with just a few pool rings or similar items, making it easy to organize at parties or family reunions. Adjustable rules and ring sizes allow the game to be tailored for all ages and skill levels, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.

20. Ladder Golf from Twin Dragonfly Designs

Ladder Golf

19. Pool Noodle Ring Toss from Mission to Save

Pool Noodle Ring Toss

This item demonstrates creative ways to use pool noodles for fun, water-free games that kids can enjoy outdoors. It includes simple DIY projects like a ring toss, a soccer goal, a tic tac toe grid, and a matchbox car race track made from cut and shaped pool noodles.

These activities encourage hands-on play with minimal materials, making them budget-friendly and easy to set up. The games promote physical activity and imaginative play without needing a pool or water, offering fresh ideas for summer entertainment.

18. Tin Can Toss Game (source unknown)

Tin Can Toss Backyard Game

17. Bean Bag Toss from Chica and Jo

Bean Bag Toss

16. Flamingo Toss from Sugar and Cloth

Flamingo Toss

This Flamingo DIY Ring Toss Game brings a playful and colorful twist to the classic ring toss, featuring bright pink flamingos as the targets. It can be set up outdoors in a yard by staking the flamingos into the grass or indoors using planters filled with sand or soil to hold them upright.

The game encourages friendly competition and hand-eye coordination for players of all ages. Customizable elements like spray painting the rings and planters allow for a personalized and visually appealing experience, making it perfect for parties or casual gatherings.

15. Horseshoe Pit from Creatively Southern

DIY Horseshoe Pit Backyard Game

14. Bottle Ring Toss from DecoArt

Bottle Ring Toss

This item highlights a wide selection of high-quality acrylic and specialty paints designed for artists and crafters. It features various product lines, including Americana Acrylics, Crafter’s Acrylics, and specialty finishes like neon, glitter, and fabric paints.

The collection also offers curated paint sets and seasonal bundles to inspire creativity across different projects. Free shipping is available on U.S. orders over $50, making it easier to access premium art supplies made with care in the USA.

13. Football Toss from Cherished Bliss

Football Toss wood game board

This item demonstrates how to build a durable outdoor football toss game using cedar wood and basic woodworking tools. It includes instructions for cutting precise target holes, assembling the frame, and sanding the finished piece for a smooth surface.

Users will create a fun and sturdy game perfect for outdoor play, suitable for family gatherings or casual competitions. The project combines practical skills like measuring, cutting, and joining wood, resulting in a personalized, weather-resistant game board.

12. Three Hole Washer Game from My Crazy Good Life

Three Hole Washer Game for the backyard

This item demonstrates how to create a homemade version of the Three Hole Washers game, a backyard favorite similar to cornhole and horseshoes. It guides users through building regulation-size wooden boards with three holes, using common tools and materials like plywood, 2×4 lumber, and metal washers.

The project provides detailed instructions on cutting, assembling, and securing the wooden frames and surfaces to form sturdy game boards. It also explains how to set up the game for play, offering a cost-effective alternative to buying pre-made sets while delivering a fun outdoor activity.

11. Bean Bag Ladder Toss from Landeelu

Bean Bag Ladder Toss

10. Marble Toss from Pretty Handy Girl

Marble Toss Backyard Game

This item features a handmade marble toss game constructed from scrap wood, designed to provide interactive fun and friendly competition. The game includes multiple holes with different point values, encouraging players to aim and score by tossing marbles through them.

The project highlights the use of a Dremel Fortiflex rotary tool for precise engraving and cutting, adding detailed letters and numbers to the game board. It also incorporates chalkboard paint on the sides for scorekeeping, making it both functional and visually appealing for family playtime.

9. Bean Bag Toss with Bowls from One More Moore

Bean Bag Toss with plastic Bowls

8. Pallet Upcycled Cornhole Board from HGTV

Pallet Upcycled Cornhole Board

7. Easy Frisbee Golf from Chas’ Crazy Creations

Easy Frisbee Golf

This item demonstrates how to create an easy and affordable disc golf basket using common household items like tomato cages and laundry baskets. It offers a simple way to set up a backyard frisbee golf course that encourages outdoor play and family fun without requiring special tools or materials.

Users can arrange multiple baskets around their yard to customize the course and adjust the difficulty by varying the distance between targets. The setup is quick to assemble and easy to store, making it a convenient activity for all ages to enjoy and practice frisbee throwing skills.

6. Koob Lawn Game from Let’s Get Together

DIY Koob Backyard Game

This item features a classic lawn game called Koob, where players throw sticks to knock down wooden blocks and a central king pin. It offers a fun, competitive outdoor activity suitable for 2 to 12 players of all ages and can be played on various surfaces like grass, gravel, or concrete.

The set can be easily made at home using simple wood pieces cut to specific dimensions, allowing for an affordable alternative to buying a pre-made kit.

It encourages social interaction and outdoor play, making it a great addition to family gatherings, picnics, or casual get-togethers.

5. Balloon Darts from She Knows

Balloon Darts Backyard Game

This item demonstrates how to transform simple cardboard boxes into a fun outdoor carnival setup for kids. It includes creative ideas like a clown bean bag toss, a ticket booth, a balloon dart board, and a photo booth backdrop, all made from everyday craft supplies.

The activities encourage hands-on crafting and imaginative play, allowing children to engage in carnival games and photo opportunities right in the backyard. Each project uses basic materials such as cardboard, construction paper, and markers, making it easy to assemble and customize.

4. Pool Noodle Toss Game from While He Was Napping

Pool Noodle Toss Yard Game

This item demonstrates how to create a simple outdoor toss game using pool noodles, duct tape, string, and dowels. It involves bending pool noodles into rings and assembling them into a target structure that can be easily set up and taken down.

The game encourages active play and can be customized with different scoring rules or distances. It is lightweight, portable, and perfect for keeping kids entertained outside during warm weather.

3. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course from Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

This backyard obstacle course offers a hands-on way to create an active play space inspired by American Ninja Warrior. It includes movable elements like PVC pipe hurdles, wooden stepping stones, sloped pallets, balance beams, and tree stumps that can be arranged in different configurations.

The course is designed for easy setup and breakdown, allowing it to be stored compactly when not in use. Kids can enjoy a variety of physical challenges while parents appreciate the flexibility and safety of a supervised, non-permanent play area.

2. Pool Noodle Obstacle Course from Parents.com

Pool Noodle Obstacle Course

This collection features a variety of creative water-based activities designed to keep kids cool and entertained outdoors during hot weather. It includes ideas that can be easily set up at home or in a nearby park using simple materials like hoses, water balloons, and pool noodles.

The activities range from solo play, such as ice excavation and water painting, to group games like water gun races and water balloon piñatas. Each option encourages active, hands-on fun that helps children stay engaged and refreshed without needing a pool.

1. Kiddie Car Wash from Mom Endeavors

Kiddie Car Wash

How can I make backyard games safe for both kids and adults?

Safety is key when creating DIY games. Opt for non-toxic paints and finishes, avoid sharp edges, and ensure all game pieces are sturdy to prevent breakage.

For games that involve throwing or physical contact, use soft materials like foam or padded surfaces.

Can these games be stored outside, or do they need to be brought inside?

While some DIY games can be designed to be left outdoors, it’s generally best to store them in a dry, covered area when not in use.

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This prolongs the life of the materials and keeps the games in good condition. Consider designing portable games that are easy to move and store.

How can I make DIY games adaptable for different age groups?

To make your games suitable for both kids and adults, design them with adjustable rules or varying levels of difficulty. For example, a ring toss game can have different distances marked for children and adults, or a scavenger hunt can have different levels of clues.

What are some creative ways to repurpose household items for these games?

What are some creative ways to repurpose household items for these games?

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Samantha Nicole

Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.