Summer is the perfect time to get outside and play. The sun is shining the kids are full of energy and the adults want to have fun too. But sometimes it’s hard to think of games that everyone can enjoy together. You want something simple active and fun for all ages.
For whatever you’re planning a backyard party a picnic at the park or just want to get your family off their phones and into the sunshine these outdoor games are great for kids teens adults and even grandparents. You don’t need fancy equipment and most of these games can be played with stuff you already have at home.
1. Water Balloon Toss
Water Balloon Toss is a fun and refreshing game, perfect for hot summer days. It’s simple and great for all ages. To play, split into pairs and give each pair a filled water balloon. Players stand facing each other, starting just a few feet apart. On the count of three, one player tosses the balloon to their partner. If they catch it without it breaking, both take a step back.
The tosses continue with increasing distance after each successful catch. The farther the balloon flies, the harder it is to catch without it popping. If the balloon drops or bursts, that pair is out. The last team with an unbroken balloon wins. It’s exciting, silly, and usually ends with everyone getting wet. You can end the game with a free-for-all water balloon fight just for laughs.
What you need
- A bunch of water balloons
- A big outdoor space like a backyard or park
How to play
Pair up the players and have them stand face to face
Give each pair one water balloon
Start with a short distance between them
Each time they toss and catch the balloon without breaking it they both take one step back
Keep going until the balloon pops or someone drops it
The last pair with a full balloon wins
You can also do a big free-for-all water balloon fight after the game just for fun.
2. Sack Race Game
Sack Race is a classic outdoor game that brings a lot of laughs and energy to any summer gathering. It’s easy to set up and fun for both kids and adults. To play, you’ll need sacks — pillowcases work for small children, and larger sacks or sleeping bags are good for older kids and adults. Players stand inside their sack at the starting line, holding the edges around their waist.
When someone shouts “Go”, everyone hops toward the finish line as fast as they can without falling. The first person to cross the line wins. You can also turn it into a relay by having teams take turns hopping. It’s a great game for parties, picnics, and backyard fun. Sack races are not about being the fastest — they’re about having fun, staying balanced, and laughing when someone tips over.
What you need
- Old pillowcases for kids
- Large potato sacks or sleeping bags for adults
- A clear starting line and finish line
How to play
Everyone gets inside their sack and stands at the starting line
On GO they hop as fast as they can toward the finish line
First one to cross wins
You can do this in teams or as a relay race too
If you don’t have sacks you can do a frog jump race or crab walk race for the same fun.
3. Good’old Sponge Toss
Sponge Toss is a fun and cool summer game that’s perfect for families and groups of all ages. It’s simple to play and helps everyone stay active while beating the heat. To set it up, you’ll need two large buckets and a big sponge for each team. Fill one bucket with water and leave the other empty. Place the full bucket at one end of the yard and the empty one at the other.
The first player dunks the sponge in the water, runs across to the empty bucket, and squeezes out as much water as possible. Then they run back and hand the sponge to the next teammate. This continues until one team fills their empty bucket to the top. The game is fast, wet, and full of energy. Kids love the splashes and teamwork, and adults enjoy the friendly competition.
What you need
- A couple of big sponges
- Two buckets per team
- Water
How to play
Each team has two buckets one full of water and one empty
The first player dips the sponge into the full bucket runs to the empty bucket squeezes the water in then runs back
Then the next person goes
The team that fills their empty bucket first wins
This game keeps people moving and cool at the same time.
4. Lawn Twister Fun Game
Lawn Twister is a fun outdoor twist on the classic Twister game and perfect for summer family time. It’s colorful, silly, and gets everyone moving and laughing. To set it up, spray paint large circles on the grass in rows using four bright colors like red, blue, green, and yellow — or use colored paper plates if you don’t want to paint. You’ll also need a spinner or someone to call out directions like “right foot red” or “left hand blue.”
Everyone stands on the board and follows the instructions, putting their hands and feet on the right colors without falling. As more moves are called, people get tangled up and lose balance, which makes it super funny to watch and play. The last person standing without falling over is the winner.
What you need
- Spray paint or colored paper plates
- A spinner (you can print one or make your own)
How to play
Use spray paint to make big colored circles in the grass or lay out paper plates in a grid
Each color should have 4 or more spots
Spin the wheel and call out moves like “right hand red” or “left foot blue”
Everyone plays on the same board just like regular Twister
The last person standing without falling over wins
Great for flexibility balance and lots of laughter
5. Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a classic outdoor game full of action, strategy, and teamwork. It’s best for big families or groups and works well in a large open space like a park or big backyard. First, divide players into two teams. Use cones, ropes, or natural landmarks to mark a center line and split the field into two sides — one side for each team.
Each team hides a flag (or a towel, shirt, or bandana) somewhere on their side. The goal is to sneak into the other team’s territory, find their flag, and bring it back to your side without getting tagged.
If someone is tagged while in enemy territory, they go to “jail” and must wait to be rescued by a teammate. The first team to capture the other team’s flag and return it safely wins.
What you need
- Two flags or towels or bandanas
- Something to divide the play area in half like cones or a rope
How to play the game;
Split into two teams and give each team a side of the field and one flag
The goal is to sneak into the other team’s area grab their flag and bring it back to your side without getting tagged
If you get tagged in enemy territory you go to their jail
Your teammates can free you by tagging you in jail
This game works best with older kids teens and adults who like strategy and running around.
6. Balloon Pop Relay
Balloon Pop Relay is a fast-paced and funny game that’s perfect for kids, teens, and adults. It’s simple to set up and always gets people laughing. First, blow up a bunch of balloons and place a chair or marker at the far end of the yard. Divide players into teams and have them line up.
When the game starts, the first player from each team runs to the chair while holding a balloon. Once they reach the chair, they sit on the balloon to pop it — no hands allowed. After popping it, they run back and tag the next teammate, who does the same.
The race continues until everyone on the team has had a turn. The first team to pop all their balloons and finish the relay wins. Balloon Pop Relay is loud, silly, and full of energy — perfect for outdoor parties or family game days in the summer.
What you need;
- Balloons
- Chairs or cones
How to play
Blow up a bunch of balloons and set up a course with a chair at the far end
Each player must run to the chair sit on the balloon and pop it then run back
Then the next person goes
First team to finish wins.
It’s loud fast and super funny to watch
7. Giant Bubbles‘Outdoor Game
This one isn’t really a game but it’s a great summer activity for younger kids and parents who want something calm. Giant Bubbles is a calm and magical outdoor activity that works well for younger kids, parents, and anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy some summer fun. It’s not a competitive game but more of a creative and joyful experience.
To start, mix a simple bubble solution using water, dish soap, and a little glycerin or corn syrup to make the bubbles stronger and last longer. Pour the mix into a big bucket or tray. Then use bubble wands or make your own using two sticks and a loop of string.
Dip the string into the solution and gently lift it into the air. As you move or catch the breeze, giant bubbles form and float around. Kids love chasing and popping them while adults enjoy watching the colorful shapes drift through the air.
What you will need;
- Dish soap
- Water
- Glycerin or corn syrup (helps bubbles last longer)
- A large tray or bucket
- Bubble wands or make your own with string and sticks
How to play
Mix soap water and a bit of glycerin in a big bucket
Dip the wand and gently move it through the air to make huge bubbles
Let kids run through them pop them or just watch them float
No competition here just magic……..
8. Old Willy Obstacle Course
Great for all ages because you can make it as easy or hard as you want. Obstacle Course is a fun and flexible outdoor game that gets everyone moving and laughing. It’s great because you can use whatever space and items you already have. First, pick a safe area like a backyard or park.
Then set up a course with different challenges. You can use chairs to crawl under, cones or buckets to run around, hula hoops to jump through, pool noodles to weave between, and ropes or sticks to balance on. Get creative — add a water balloon station, a sponge toss, or a puzzle to solve in the middle.
Each person takes a turn going through the course while someone keeps time with a phone or stopwatch. The fastest time wins, or you can just cheer everyone on for fun. You can make it easier for younger kids or more challenging for teens and adults.
What you need
- Whatever you have at home
- Chairs cones ropes buckets hula hoops sticks pool noodles
How to play
Set up a course with different challenges like crawling under chairs hopping over cones walking a straight line with a spoon in your mouth jumping rope or running around trees
Time each person and see who’s fastest
You can also do it just for fun with music and cheering
Change it up and make it new each time you play
9. Cold Freeze Dancing
Perfect when people are getting tired or just want to laugh. Freeze Dancing is a simple and super fun outdoor game that works for all ages from toddlers to adults. It’s great for summer parties when you want to keep things light and full of energy.
All you need is a speaker and some fun music. Everyone stands in an open space and when the music plays everyone dances however they want — silly moves fast moves anything goes. But as soon as the music stops everyone has to freeze like a statue. If someone keeps moving after the music stops they’re out of the round. The last person still in the game wins.
You can let little kids stay in for fun or add challenges like dancing on one foot or doing animal moves. It’s super easy to set up doesn’t need any equipment and gets lots of laughs.
- Music and a speaker
How to play
Play some fun music
When the music plays everyone dances
When the music stops everyone freezes
Anyone who moves after the music stops is out
Last person dancing wins.
This is super easy and great for mixed ages even toddlers love it.
10. Ring Toss or Frisbee Target
A quiet game that still gets people outside and playing together. Ring Toss or Frisbee Target is a calm and fun outdoor game that’s great for all ages. It doesn’t need a lot of space or running around which makes it perfect for mixed-age groups or a relaxing backyard day.
To play, you just need some plastic rings or frisbees and something to aim at like bottles, cones, sticks, or buckets. Set the targets at different distances depending on the age of the players. Each person takes turns trying to toss the ring or frisbee and land it on or near the target. You can give points for each successful throw or just play for fun without keeping score.
To make it more exciting you can add a few different target sizes or move them around after each round. It’s simple easy to set up and works well in any outdoor space. Great for family picnics birthday parties or quiet summer evenings.
What you need
- Plastic rings or frisbees
- Bottles cones buckets or sticks to aim at
How to play
Set targets at different distances
Take turns throwing rings or frisbees to try and land them on or near the target
Give points for each one that hits or lands close
Keep score or just play for fun
You can use glow-in-the-dark rings and play at night too.
Related: How to Plan a Perfect Outdoor Party in this Summer Heat
