Beyond Cornhole: The Best Outdoor Games for Your Yard
We love cornhole around here (obviously). But a great backyard game collection doesn’t stop at the boards. Whether you’re hosting a cookout, tailgating before the big game, or just looking for something new to play on a Saturday afternoon, there’s a whole world of outdoor games worth exploring.
We’ve been testing, reviewing, and writing about the best backyard games so you don’t have to sort through the junk.
Below you’ll find our guides organized by game — each one covers the best equipment picks, how to play, and what to look for before you buy.
Looking for gift ideas? Check out our Ultimate Backyard Games Gift Guide
Bocce Ball
Bocce is one of the oldest games in the world and one of the easiest to pick up. Roll your balls closest to the target and you score. Works on grass, sand, gravel — pretty much anywhere. It’s the perfect complement to cornhole for any backyard setup.
Best Bocce Ball Sets for Backyard & Beach →
Cornhole
The game that started it all for us. If you’re looking for cornhole boards, bags, dimensions, rules, or anything else cornhole-related, we’ve got you covered with years of content and reviews.
Best Cornhole Sets for 2026 →
Best Cornhole Bags →
Best Cornhole Sets Under $150 →
Best Indoor Cornhole Sets →
Cornhole Board Dimensions Guide →
Cornhole Bag Fill Types Explained →
How to Build Cornhole Boards →
Best Cornhole Boards at Every Price Range →
ACL Approved Cornhole Boards →
Best Pro Cornhole Bags →
Cornhole Throwing Techniques →
Cornhole Accessories Guide →
Cornhole Board Maintenance →
Best LED Cornhole Lights →
Glow-in-the-Dark Cornhole Bags →
Cornhole Rules: Complete Official Guide →
How to Start a Cornhole League →
Ladder Toss (Ladder Golf)
The backyard game with a dozen names and zero learning curve. Toss bolas at a three-rung ladder and wrap them around for points. Even terrible throws tend to catch on something, which is why everyone loves playing. PVC, steel, and premium wood picks included.
Best Ladder Toss Sets for Backyard Fun →
Tailgate Games
Game day starts in the parking lot, not at kickoff. We rounded up the 10 best games to bring to any tailgate — from cornhole and KanJam to giant Jenga and washer toss. Whether you’ve got a full lot to work with or you’re squeezed between two trucks, there’s a game on this list for you.
The 10 Best Tailgate Games to Win Game Day →
Giant Outdoor Games
Everything’s better when it’s bigger. Oversized Jenga, life-size Connect Four, yard pong, giant dice, and more — these games don’t just entertain, they become the centerpiece of any party. Seven picks with a starter kit breakdown.
Best Giant Outdoor Games for Parties →
Horseshoes
America’s original backyard game. Nothing beats the satisfying clank of steel on steel. We’ve got picks for every level — from premium forged steel sets for serious players to lightweight rubber sets that are safe for kids and work indoors.
Best Horseshoe Sets for Your Backyard →
Spikeball & KanJam
The modern backyard favorites that are taking over parks, beaches, and tailgates everywhere. We put Spikeball, KanJam, and cornhole head to head across every factor that matters — learning curve, portability, group fit, and fun factor.
Spikeball vs KanJam vs Cornhole: Which Game Wins? →
Washer Toss
The most underrated backyard game out there. Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than cornhole — but just as fun. Toss metal washers at wooden boxes and score points for accuracy. Five sets reviewed plus complete rules and setup guide.
Best Washer Toss Sets & How to Play →
Croquet
Secretly one of the most strategic and vindictive backyard games out there. Knock balls through wickets, send your opponents into the bushes, and try to keep a straight face while doing it. Six sets reviewed from budget to premium, plus quick rules and setup tips.
Best Croquet Sets for Backyard Play →
Badminton
More active than most backyard games and surprisingly accessible for all ages. The slow-moving birdie makes it one of the easiest net sports for families, and a good set turns any flat patch of grass into an instant court. Six sets reviewed from portable beach sets to semi-permanent backyard installations.
Best Badminton Sets for Backyard Fun →
Lawn Darts
The backyard classic is back — and this time it’s actually safe. Modern lawn darts use weighted rubber tips instead of the skull-puncturing metal points that got the originals banned in 1988. All the nostalgia, none of the danger. Five sets reviewed plus complete rules and the full safety story.
Best Lawn Darts Sets — Safe Modern Versions →
Glow-in-the-Dark & LED Games
Who says the party has to end when the sun goes down? LED cornhole, glow bocce, light-up lawn darts, and more — everything you need to keep playing after dark. Complete shopping lists for every budget, plus setup tips for the ultimate night game session.
Best Glow-in-the-Dark & LED Outdoor Games →
Kubb (Viking Chess)
A thousand-year-old Swedish throwing game that’s finally taking over American backyards. Knock down your opponent’s wooden blocks, then topple the King to win — but knock the King over too early and you lose instantly. Strategic, team-based, and endlessly replayable. Five sets reviewed from budget to premium.
Best Kubb Sets: The Viking Throwing Game →
PaddleSmash
The Shark Tank sensation that mashes up pickleball and Spikeball into something entirely new. Four paddles, one circular net, and fast-paced 2v2 action. We break down how it actually plays, who it’s for, and whether it’s worth the $200 price tag.
PaddleSmash Review: Pickleball Meets Spikeball →
Game Guides by Occasion
Not sure which game to buy? These guides organize our picks by how and where you’ll be playing.
Best Backyard Games for Adults: Party Edition →
The 10 best games for adult parties — from chill lawn games to competitive showdowns. Includes a Party Game Starter Kit breakdown at three budget levels.
Best Backyard Games for Families with Kids →
10 games that actually work for mixed ages. Age-specific picks from toddlers to teens, with a buying guide by age group so nobody gets left out.
Best Outdoor Games for Camping & Road Trips →
The most portable games for campsite play. Every pick weighs under 15 lbs and works on uneven ground. Includes packing lists by trip type — backpacking, car camping, and beach camping.
Best Tailgate Games →
The 10 best games for game day. Ranked by fun factor, portability, and how well they work in a parking lot with a drink in your hand.
Hosting & Events
How to Host a Backyard Game Tournament →
Step-by-step guide to running a multi-game tournament in your backyard. Formats, brackets, game station layout, food planning, prizes, and a ready-to-use sample schedule for an 8-team, 3-game tournament.
How to Start a Cornhole League →
Everything you need to organize a weekly cornhole league. Finding a venue, recruiting players, choosing a format, managing scores with the Scoreholio app, and keeping it fun season after season.
Gift Guides
Ultimate Backyard Games Gift Guide →
The complete gift guide for every budget and every person. Organized by price (under $25, $25-$50, $50-$100, $100+) and by recipient type — the competitive player, the casual host, the family with kids, the camper, and the person who has everything.
Best Backyard Game Gifts for Dad →
Handpicked game gifts for Dad at every budget. Written by a dad who’s spent every Father’s Day weekend playing games lakeside with family.
Ready to host your own backyard game tournament? Check out our new How to Host a Backyard Game Tournament post for details on everything you need!
More Games Coming Soon
We’re actively expanding our backyard games coverage. If there are any games we are missing that you would like to see, please reach out to us!
Check back regularly or bookmark this page — we’re adding new game guides every week.
Have a game you want us to review? Drop us a line and let us know what you’re playing in your backyard!