The 21 Best Yard Games of 2024

Elite Sportz Ring Toss Game

$25 At Amazon $25 At Walmart $37 At Target

Keeping the kids entertained in the backyard requires a delicate balance of simplicity and intrigue. This ring toss game toes the line perfectly. Though easy to set up and play, the game (a classic!) teaches kids hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and simple math. To play, kids take turns tossing the colored rings onto the target. Each peg denotes a different number of points, and the first player to reach the agreed-upon amount of points wins.

_{Number of Players: 2 or more | Dimensions: 16.5 x 1.2 x 0.7 inches | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Spikeball Pro Kit

$99 At Amazon $99 At Home Depot $148 At Walmart

This fun, fast-paced game we tested is a combination of four square and volleyball. To play Spikeball, you slam one of the balls down onto the net, sending it soaring back up to your opponents. If the other team misses the ball, your team scores a point. The first team to 21 points wins the game. Because it's designed for four players, this game is great for groups.

During testing, we loved how Spikeball is accessible to all fitness levels, extremely easy to learn, and can be competitive or more friendly depending on who's playing. Another plus—you can play it for a few minutes or a few hours and it's equally as fun every time. The Pro Kit is an upgrade to the classic Spikeball set, thanks to added texture on the Pro Balls and stronger rims and legs.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: ‎23 x 9.6 x 6.2 inches | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Bucket Golf The Ultimate Backyard Golf Game

$115 At Amazon

Take the fun of the golf court to your own backyard with Bucket Golf. Use the buckets to set up your own 6-hole golf course in your outdoor space and since you customize the court yourself, every round is completely different.

Then, use the golf clubs to hit the wiffle balls into the bucket (or just touch the bucket) in as few swings as possible, similar to a traditional golf game. While there are a lot of pieces, everything fits into the included carrying bag, so you can take it on the go. The balls may dent over time, but you can always purchase more wiffle balls for a low cost.

_{Number of Players: 2+ | Dimensions: ‎31.5 x 16 x 4.3 inches | Recommended Age: Not Listed}

Uncommon Goods Kingdoms Lawn Game

$98 At Uncommon Goods

Ditch standard lawn games for one that prioritizes scheming and strategy. Kingdoms allows players to build their own territory with special abilities while trying to claim the most land and defeat enemies. The wooden pieces represent castles, armies, and terrain markers to complete campaigns and eventually come out victorious.

_{Number of Players: 2-16 | Dimensions: 16 x 5.5 x 12.5 inches | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

L.L.Bean Bocce

$129 At L.L.Bean

Bocce ball is undoubtedly one of the most popular portable lawn games available. The set of nine balls (eight larger ones and one smaller one) comes nestled inside an attractive zippered carry case made from rugged canvas that can be personalized with a monogram or name up to 10 characters long.

The game is simple to play, making it extremely family-friendly. You simply divide your group into two teams and play on a designated court. Then, one player throws the small target ball. Each additional player then takes turns rolling the larger balls as close to the target ball as possible. Whichever team has a ball closest to the target wins that round. The game ends when one team scores the predetermined number of points, typically 12.

_{Number of Players: 2 or more | Dimensions: Not listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Uncommon Goods Four Across Lawn Game

$250 At Uncommon Goods

A fun and personalized twist on the classic Connect Four game is perfect for special events and outdoor parties on a budget—even weddings. And when the event is over? You’ll love having this lasting memory of it in your backyard. The oversized game is handmade, making it extra special.

It’s machine-cut from attractive heirloom-quality maple wood. To make it your own, personalize up to four lines (seven characters each) with your name, anniversary date, or a sweet message for a loved one.

_{Number of Players: Not listed | Dimensions: 39 x 24 x 48 inches | Recommended Age: Not listed}

Rollors Backyard Game

$60 At Amazon $60 At Wayfair View On Rollors.com

Rollors combines bocce ball, horseshoes, and outdoor bowling for a fun lawn game for everyone ages 4 and up. To play, place the Rollors goals 25 feet apart, and then the players roll the wooden discs to get closest to the goal. Each side of each disc has a different number to determine the point value, so whichever way the disc falls over is the number of points you get for that round.

The smooth wooden pieces pack up easily in the carrying bag for taking to parties and gatherings. For more fun, there are expansion packs available, but sadly, these don't come with their own carrying case, so it can be more difficult to tout from place to place.

_{Number of Players: 2+ | Dimensions: 15 x 6 x 8 inches | Recommended Age: 4 years and up}

GoSports Giant Wooden Playing Dice Set

$25 At Amazon $30 At Walmart

The whole family will have so much fun playing with an oversized set of dice. And we love the fact that the possibilities are really endless. You can use the 3.5-inch dice to play a classic game like Yahtzee (the set comes with dry-erase boards for scoring this engaging, family-friendly game) or try your hand at another fun dice game.

_{Number of Players: Varies by game | Dimensions: ‎11.2 x 8.4 x 4.3 inches | Recommended Age: Not listed}

GoSports Premium Metal Ladder Toss Game Set

$50 At Amazon View On Playgosports.com

The idea of Ladder Toss is simple: Throw bolos (string with rubber balls at each end) at the three-pronged ladder 15 feet away, and try to make them wrap around one of the levels. Each level has a different point value and you play to a certain number—usually 21, like KanJam. The rubber balls are suitable for kids, making this a great pick for all ages.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 37 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Hey! Play! Croquet Set with Carrying Case

$52 At Wayfair $30 At Home Depot $45 At Walmart

This classic game is one that both kids and adults will love. And, like other great lawn games, it’s easy to set up and play. To do so, place the wickets into the ground to create your unique playing field. Once everything is set up, you use the mallets to knock the hard balls through the arches.

This colorful set comes with enough mallets for six people to play—perfect for a crowd—and has a convenient carrying case, so you can use the game outside of your backyard (like the park or a friend's house).

_{Number of Players: 6 or less | Dimensions: 3 x 8.7 x 26 inches | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Bucket Ball Outdoor Game

$60 At Amazon View On Bucketball.com

You don't need to drink alcohol to enjoy this oversized version of the classic drinking game, beer pong (though you certainly can). The rules are similar: Aim the ball into the buckets to remove buckets for your team. The buckets are sturdy, but weighing them down with sand or water ensures they won't tip over. You can incorporate your own beer pong rules into the game for a perfect beach day or park picnic activity.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: ‎15.25 x 9 x 8.75 inches | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Himal Collapsible Portable Corn Hole Boards

$37 At Amazon

This family favorite is a barbecue essential for a reason. The game, which includes two cornhole boards, eight bean bags, and a convenient carrying case, is easy for players of all ages to figure out. You simply try to toss the bags into the hole on the board.

The team with the most points wins. If you have kids, you’ll love that this set is made of PVC and polyester fabric as opposed to wood, since it makes it easier to care for and easier to travel with.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: 15 x 2.36 x 12.6 inches | Recommended Age: Not listed}

GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower

$75 At Amazon $90 At Wayfair $87 At Walmart

This GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower is a backyard version of the classic family favorite called Jenga. Play is simple: Stack the rectangle blocks in alternating directions, then let each player take turns pulling a block from the tower and placing it back on top. If the tower knocks over during your turn, you lose the game. It’s a fun and exciting activity that’ll have everyone on the edge of their seats. 

_{Number of Players: 2 or more | Dimensions: ‎17 x 17 x 9 inches | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Kan Jam Original Disc Toss Game

$40 At Amazon $40 At Walmart $40 At Target

KanJam is another very easy and family-friendly lawn game that’ll get participants moving. Think of it as a more fast-paced version of horseshoes but with frisbees and cans as opposed to horseshoes and targets. In two teams of two players, each participant takes a turn throwing the flying disc into the can and deflecting the disc. The first team to score 21 points wins.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: ‎21.5 x 10.8 x 9.7 inches | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Tactic Games Mölkky

$43 At Amazon

Players of all ages will love tossing the wooden Molkky pin across their yard or across the beach to try and accumulate points. Aim at the 'skittles,' which each have a number on them. Add all the values of the pins you knocked down on your turn for your score. You have to earn exactly 50 points to win, but be careful not to go over.

_{Number of Players: 2-26 | Dimensions: 9.1 x 13 x 7.5 | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Poolmaster Badminton Pop-Up Game

$68 At Amazon

Avoid the hassle of setting up a badminton net in your backyard every season and the eyesore that a sports net can often create in your outdoor space. This set from Poolmaster makes it easy to play a game of badminton wherever and whenever you want. Simply pop up the net with the two poles and get to playing with the four included rackets and birdies.

_{Number of Players: 2-4 | Dimensions: 5 x 9.5 inches | Recommended Age: 14 years and up}

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Game

$25 At Amazon $25 At Walmart $25 At kohls.com

If you're into popular card games, then you'd love this new one perfectly created for the outdoors. Collect and trade the oversized cards, but look out for the three-foot inflatable burrito thrown around as the game goes on. When not inflated, this game is portable and perfect for taking on trips for hours of hilarious fun.

_{Number of Players: 2-6 | Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 3 inches | Recommended Age: 7 years and up}

Poleish Sports Bottle Bash

$50 At Amazon $65 At Walmart $50 At Dick's

The best part about Bottle Bash is that the difficulty can be adjusted, so every player of every skill level can enjoy it. The setup takes just a few minutes. Simply set up the adjustable aluminum poles and place the indestructible bottles on top. One team attempts to knock off the bottle with the included frisbee while the other tries to catch both the frisbee and the bottle before they touch the ground. Move the poles farther away for an added challenge.

_{Number of Players: 2-4 | Dimensions: 18 x 11.6 x 3 inches | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Hakol Lawn Darts

$20 At Amazon $38 At Walmart

Enjoy lawn games even after the sun goes down with these glow-in-the-dark lawn darts. Simply set up your target and launch the soft-weighted missiles into the light-up circle. Whoever has the most darts in their target wins! Playing on soft surfaces like grass or even carpet ensures the darts won't bounce out of the target. The darts are a soft, safe material, making this game suitable for indoor and outdoor play around the clock.

_{Number of Players: 4 | Dimensions: ‎13.7 x 11.2 x 3.5 inches | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Ayeboovi Toss and Catch Ball Game

$21 At Amazon

If following strict rules is not your thing, opt for a fun and easy throw-and-catch game with endless possibilities. This set comes with two paddles equipped with Velcro that the two included balls easily stick to, elevating a simple game of catch. Invent your own rules and challenges for hours of fun despite your age and skill level.

_{Number of Players: 2 | Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 2.8 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Wonder & Wise Tike Strike Bowling Game Set

$75 At Saks Fifth Avenue View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Maisonette.com

For a stylish yard game that the whole family can enjoy, opt for a minimalistic bowling set designed for grass. The game works the same as traditional bowling but with a smaller bowling ball to knock over the 10 rubber pins. Best of all, this set comes in a handsome carrying case, so it's easy to take to and from friends' houses or the park.

_{Number of Players: Not listed | Dimensions: Not listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}