Backyard Games That Actually Get People Off Their Phones (Kids + Adults)
Last Updated: January 2026 Quick Take Everyone says they want “family time” — then everyone ends up staring at a screen. These backyard games are the ones that actually get played : easy setup, simple rules, and fun for kids and adults together. If you want the safest bet, start with a quick competition game (ladder toss or Popdarts), add one big crowd game (giant Connect 4 or jumbo tower), and you’re done. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The best backyard games have three things in common: fast setup , simple rules , and replay value . Nobody wants a “game” that takes 45 minutes to assemble or requires reading a rulebook the size of a phone book. Below are the yard games that consistently work for mixed groups — kids, parents, grandparents, neighbors — and they’re all easy wins for parties, cookouts, camping, and “we ...