Outdoor Lawn Games for Fresh Air Fun

Fun backyard games—from giant chess boards to horseshoes and more—encourage everyone to get outside.

By: Danny Bonvissuto
Related To:
Entertaining Outdoor Rooms Backyards

Photo By: Image courtesy of Stephanie Hulings

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Photo courtesy of L.L. Bean

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Sea Island

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Image courtesy of L.L. Bean

Photo By: Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer

Photo By: Image courtesy of L.L. Bean

Giant Dice

Roll out the big dice and play Yahtzee or bunco on your lawn! This set of six wooden come in a big burlap sack with a chalkboard tablet. $36.50; etsy.com/rustichomemade

Shuffleboard

Regulation-size shuffleboard, anyone? This court is made of 575 tiles that lock into place and can stay outside year round. $1,700; hammacher.com

Classic Horseshoes

Leon Leonwood Bean, Mr. L.L. Bean himself, loved horseshoes and his company has carried them since 1927. This set includes four steel horseshoes, two stakes and a storage bag so you can throw on the go. $69; llbean.com

Human Bowling

We bet no one else in the neighborhood has this one: Zip yourself up in an inflatable PVC ball and run towards six five-foot pins. What's not to love about human bowling? $5,500; hammacher.com

Life-Sized Chess

This life-sized version of chess is quite the attraction at Sea Island on the coast of Georgia. The 36" set is made of teak wood from Java Island, Indonesia and is highly resistant to decay and insects. Price upon request; giantchess.com

Inflatable "Twister"

Who needs yoga where there's the inflatable outdoor color dot game? This oversized version of Twister plays out on a 15x15 inflatable vinyl mat. $2,000; hammacher.com

Corn Hole

Though there are no actual beans involved—the all-weather bags have recycled plastic inside!—you can still throw down backyard-style with two water-resistant hardwood targets made in Maine. $169; llbean.com

Glow-In-The-Dark Darts

Just because the sun is down doesn’t mean the competition has to stop! This lawn dart set has sunlight-absorbing phosphor that helps them glow in the dark. Comes with four darts and two targets in a drawstring bag. $29.95; hammacher.com

Badminton

No tools required—we repeat, no tools required! This badminton court from Hammacher Schlemmer is easily assembled thanks to PVC net supports that fit into a base. Best part: It all comes in a nylon carrying case with four rackets and two shuttlecocks. $99.95; hammacher.com

Zipline

Who needs a jungle? Have an adventure in your own backyard with this zipline kit, which covers up to 90 feet and even includes a braking system. $199.95; hammacher.com

Tennis Table

Play ping pong rain or shine with this table tennis court, which has a water-resistant playing surface, all-weather nets and a steel frame with steel legs. Flying solo? Fold it in half and give the wall a workout. $899.95; hammacher.com

Bocce

Professional bocce courts are great, but all you really need are some bocce balls and a pallino (the target ball) to create your own game anywhere. L.L. Bean's set includes eight resin balls, a pallino and a sturdy, monogramable carrying case. $89; llbean.com

Croquet

Made in the U.S.A., this all-in-one set includes six mallets, stakes and balls, nine wickets and game rules in a cotton canvas tote. $219; llbean.com

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