Best Backyard Game Gifts for Dad
Every Father’s Day for as long as I can remember, we’ve headed to a local lake for the weekend. In the early years it was just the boys — fishing in the morning, throwing bags on the cornhole boards in the afternoon, and sitting around the fire at night talking about nothing important. It was the kind of weekend where nobody checked the time and nobody wanted to leave.
Then kids came along. And then more kids. The “guys’ weekend” quietly became a family tradition. The fishing got shorter (toddlers have opinions about sitting still in a boat). The campfire got earlier (bedtime waits for no man). But the games? The games got better.
Cornhole was still the anchor, but suddenly we needed games the little ones could play too. Bocce worked because a 4-year-old can roll a ball. Ladder toss worked because even terrible throws wrap around something. Giant Jenga worked because kids love watching towers crash. Year by year, the game collection grew, and now that lakeside weekend is the highlight of everyone’s summer — not just the dads’.
That’s the thing about giving Dad a backyard game: you’re not really giving him a product. You’re giving him a reason to get everyone outside, put the phones away, and make the kind of memories that turn into “remember when” stories for decades.
Here are our best picks, organized by budget and the kind of dad you’re shopping for.
Under $30: Small Gifts That Get Big Use
LED Cornhole Lights
If Dad already has a cornhole set, this is the perfect add-on. LED hole lights and board edge lights let him play after dark — and trust me, night cornhole becomes everyone’s favorite version of the game the first time you try it. See our full LED cornhole lights guide for detailed picks.
Our pick: Brightz TossBrightz LED Light Kit — covers the hole and board edges for both boards. One purchase, instant night play.
Cornhole Score Tower with Drink Holders
Solves two problems at once: keeping score and keeping his drink off the ground. A magnetic scoreboard mounted on a post with built-in cup holders. It’s one of those accessories Dad will never buy for himself but will use every single game. See our cornhole accessories guide for more picks.
Ladder Toss Set
The most beginner-friendly backyard game there is. Even bad throws are entertaining. Kids love it, grandparents can play, and it folds flat for easy transport. If Dad’s game collection needs a second game beyond cornhole, this is the one. See our full ladder toss guide.
Our pick: GoSports Premium Ladder Toss Set (~$25-$60)
$40–$75: The Sweet Spot for Dad Gifts
Bocce Ball Set
Bocce is the game for dads who want competition without cardio. Roll balls, talk strategy, debate who’s actually closest, repeat. Works on any surface — grass, gravel, beach sand. The LED version is worth the extra few bucks if Dad likes evening games. See our complete bocce guide.
Our pick: GoSports 100mm Bocce Set (~$35) or GoSports LED Bocce Set (~$50) for night play
Kubb (Viking Chess)
For the dad who’s played every standard backyard game and wants something new. Kubb is strategic, team-based, and has a “knock over the King” endgame that creates genuine tension. Tell Dad it’s called Viking Chess — he’ll be setting it up before he finishes unwrapping it. See our Kubb guide.
Our pick: GoSports Kubb Viking Clash Set (~$40-$50)
Quality Cornhole Bags (Upgrade Set)
Most dads are playing with the basic bags that came with their set. A quality set of all-weather or dual-sided bags is the single biggest upgrade you can make to his cornhole game. He’ll notice the difference on the very first throw. See our best cornhole bags guide.
Our pick: Play Platoon Premium Duck Cloth Bags (~$25) or Play Platoon Tournament Series Dual-Sided (~$35)
Steel Horseshoe Set
There’s something about the clank of steel horseshoes on a summer afternoon that just sounds like Father’s Day. If Dad grew up playing horseshoes and hasn’t had a set in years, this is the gift that brings back those memories instantly. See our horseshoe guide.
Our pick: St. Pierre American Professional Set (~$50-$60)
$75–$150: The Gift He Won’t Buy Himself
Cornhole Set (Full Board Set)
If Dad doesn’t own cornhole boards yet, this is the Father’s Day gift. A quality regulation set with bags and a carrying case — ready to play the moment he opens it. This is the gift that anchors every future family gathering, lake trip, and backyard party. See our best cornhole sets guide.
Our pick: GoSports Solid Wood Premium Set (~$80-$100) for a great all-around set, or the Sportdo Vintage Set for a Dad who appreciates aesthetics
Giant Jenga
Nothing draws a crowd at a family gathering like a 5-foot tower of wooden blocks about to crash. Kids, adults, grandparents — everyone participates. Write challenges or family trivia on some blocks for a personalized touch. See our giant games guide.
Our pick: GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower (~$60-$80)
The Night Play Upgrade Kit
For the dad who already has boards: combine LED hole lights + board edge lights + a set of fiber optic LED bags for the ultimate night cornhole setup. Package it as a kit and he’s got a whole new way to play. Total cost: ~$50-$80 for everything. See our glow games guide.
$150+: Go All Out
ACL COMP Cornhole Boards
For the dad who plays seriously — league nights, tournaments, or just wants the best equipment in the neighborhood. ACL COMP boards are tournament-legal with 15mm Baltic birch tops, proprietary finishes, and zero bounce. This is the set that makes Dad’s eyes light up. See our ACL boards guide and price comparison guide.
Our pick: ACL Official COMP Boards (~$200-$300)
The Ultimate Backyard Game Collection Starter
Can’t decide on one game? Build Dad a starter kit: a cornhole set + bocce set + ladder toss. Three games, three different vibes, every gathering covered. Wrap them together and call it the “Dad’s Game Day Package.” Total: ~$130-$170.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
Here’s what I’ve learned from all those Father’s Day weekends at the lake: the game itself matters less than what it creates. A bocce set doesn’t just give Dad a game — it gives him 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with his kids where nobody’s looking at a screen. A cornhole set doesn’t just sit in the garage — it comes out at every holiday, every birthday, every random Saturday where someone says “want to play a few rounds?”
The best Father’s Day gifts aren’t things. They’re excuses to be together. Backyard games just happen to be really good excuses.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. See you at the boards.
For complete reviews and buying guides on every game mentioned, visit our Backyard Games hub.
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