Are you looking for some fun games to play at your next outdoor family reunion?
Look no further! We’ve got 21 great game ideas that the whole family will enjoy.
From classics like cornhole and horseshoes to more unique games like frisbee golf and minute-to-win-it competitions, there’s something here for everyone.
So get ready to have some fun in the sun with your loved ones!
1. Cornhole
Cornhole is a classic game that is perfect for family reunions.
To play, you need two teams of two players each.
One player from each team stands at opposite ends of a rectangular board, which is filled with holes.
Players take turns throwing beanbags at the other team’s board, trying to get them into the holes.
The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!
2. Horseshoes
Horseshoes is another classic game that is perfect for outdoor family reunions.
To play, you need two players and two horseshoes per player.
Players take turns throwing their horseshoes at a metal stake in the ground, trying to get them to wrap around the stake.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
3. Frisbee Golf
The game of frisbee golf takes place on a flat area in your backyard or a nearby field.
The object of the game is to hit different targets that vary in distance, and you get points for how close or far away they are from your throw – meaning this one’s not just about accuracy!
You can also make the game more challenging by adding obstacles.
Use trees, playgrounds, or patio furniture to make things more interesting.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
4. Minute-To-Win-It Competition
In a minute to win it game, you have to do different things in less than 1 minute.
For Example – You might have to empty a container full of marbles using only a spoon in under 60 seconds.
Minute-to-win-it games are great for family reunions because the games move quickly, you can use supplies you have around the house already, and who doesn’t love a little competition.
5. Spikeball
Spikeball is a team game which you can play outside.
There are two teams, both trying to keep a smaller ball off the ground by hitting it with larger ones. The smaller ball is called the “spike.”
In standard spikeball, the court is a round surface split into two sides, one side per team.
Teams earn points when the spike hits the floor in the opposite team’s court.
In a Backyard Setting – You can use a similar idea of “keep up” but award a point to the last person who touched the spike instead.
6. Water Balloon Toss
Whether you’re 5 or 50, water balloon toss is always a fun backyard game.
As partners step further away from each other, and the water balloon has to travel farther distances, the game becomes more and more fun until the balloon breaks.
If you still want water to splash, but you don’t want to pick up tiny pieces of broken water balloons, try a reusable water balloon instead!
7. Tug Of War
Don’t let “Squid Game” ruin the fun of tug of war.
You need at least two people to play, but with a long enough rope, the whole family can play.
If you have more than two players:
- divide the teams into an even number of players
- put a line of tape around the center of the rope
- and mark a line on the ground in the middle of the two teams
Each team is given one end of the rope, with the center of the rope directly above the line on the ground.
Then both teams pull the rope until one team manages to pull the other team past the halfway line.
8. Three-Legged Race
Three-legged races are easy to set up.
Grab a partner, stand side by side, strap or tie your middle legs together, and use each other for support as you hobble your way to the finish line.
This is a great game that needs lots of cooperation, perfect for combining families at family reunions.
9. Sack Race
Sack races are a fun game where you race in a sack.
To play, you will need at least two people. Each person will step into their own sack, grab onto the top to hold it up and hop their way to the finish line without falling.
Do you only have two sacks, but a big group wants to participate?
Turn your race into a relay race!
Split your group into two teams, and have the first person from each team run the race.
Once they come back to the start line, they hop out of the sack and the next person gets in.
This process repeats until everyone on the team has a turn, and the first team to get through everybody first wins!
10. Obstacle Course
You don’t need to build an elaborate obstacle course to have fun in your backyard, you can use what you have.
Rope, tires, boxes, hula hoops, milk crates, jump ropes, and pool noodles can all be used to build an obstacle course that you can take down when everyone leaves.
11. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a game where players have to find specific items or complete tasks to win.
The items or tasks can be anything from finding a specific item to taking a selfie with a certain person.
You can also gather fun family member facts before your reunion, and use those for your scavenger hunt.
“Find the family member that has lived in 18 states,” or “find the family member who has met Ryan Reynolds,” are great ways to start conversations with family, especially if you haven’t seen them in a while.
12. Ladder Golf
Ladder golf is a game that is similar to horseshoes.
You throw a bola, or two balls attached by a string, towards a ladder with three rungs.
The point of the game is to get to 21 points by having the bola wrap around the arms of the ladder.
Ladder golf is easy to set up and put away, which makes it a great option for a family reunion.
13. Giant Chess
Giant chess is exactly what it sounds like.
The pieces are life-sized, and the board is set up on the ground.
You’ll have to walk on the chessboard to move each of the pieces, completely immersing you in the experience and getting you as close to playing “wizard chess” as you can safely get.
The rules of chess might be too advanced for some of the children at your family reunion, but giant checkers make a great alternative.
14. Giant Jenga
Jenga is another classic game that can be made into a giant version.
To do so, simply grab some 2x4s (or other sturdy lumber) and cut them into Jenga pieces.
You’ll need 54 total, and they should be about 10 inches long.
Set up the Jenga blocks on a table or the ground, and take turns pulling out a block and stacking it on top of the tower.
The person who causes the tower to collapse loses the game and the laughs when those pieces come crashing down will bring joy to everyone at your family reunion, whether you’re playing Giant Jenga or just watching.
15. Yard Yahtzee
Yard Yahtzee is another large version of the classic dice game.
Players take turns rolling five dice and trying to score points by matching the numbers on the dice to combinations on the Yard Yahtzee scorecard.
Unlike the classic version that uses standard size dice in a small cup, the dice are the size of small shipping boxes, and you need a bucket to roll them.
16. Giant Connect Four
Giant Connect 4 is a game where you try to connect four pieces in a row on a tabletop, but giant connect 4 is the backyard version.
A vertical game board where you and a partner take turns dropping your pieces to try to get 4 pieces in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Building your own giant connect 4 isn’t easy, because each column needs supports to keep the game pieces in a vertical position, and there needs to be holes in each column to see where the pieces are going to fall.
Luckily there are quite a few options on Amazon at quite a few price points.
17. Slip and Slide Kickball
Slip and slide kickball is a glorious combination of both backyard games.
The game is set up just like kickball; there are two teams, 3 bases, and a home base, a soccer ball, and a pitcher…
Except in between each of the bases there is a slip and slide.
This makes it a little harder to get to the bases if you try to run, but you can slide from one base to the other with enough momentum.
This game is tons of fun for kids and adults, but might not be great for grandpa who just had hip surgery.
He might enjoy watching as everyone falls and slides to each base.
18. Bubble Blowing Contest
If you have kids, you probably have a huge collection of half-empty bubble containers and a dozen bubble wands.
Put them to use and have a bubble-blowing competition.
One way to do a bubble-blowing competition is to have each person blow a bubble and see who can blow the biggest bubble.
You can also have a contest to see who can blow the most bubbles in a certain amount of time.
You can even incorporate bubbles into the decor by using balloons and a bubble-blowing machine.
19. Piñata Bash
Piñatas are a great addition to any sort of party and will be equally as fun at a family reunion, maybe even more.
Fill your piñata with treats or small toys, depending on who’s at your reunion.
You don’t need a lot to set up a piñata either.
Get some rope to hang the piñata up, a broomstick to hit the piñata with, and a few blindfolds to make hitting the piñata a little more challenging and you’re set!
Now just stand back and take turns hitting it until it breaks open.
21. Dance Party
Or just go with a dance party theme.
Hang up some lights around your backyard, have a drink and snack station, and play some jams.
You don’t need much to have a good time, and dancing is always a great way to let loose.
Final Thoughts
Reunions are a great time to catch up with family, but they can also be a lot of work.
Planning activities that will entertain everyone can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
With a little planning and some imagination, you can come up with activities that will please everyone.
Outdoor games are a great way to get everyone involved, and they can be easily tailored to any group size.
So break out the lawn chairs and get ready to have some fun with these 21 outdoor games perfect for your next family reunion.
