10 Simple DIY Backyard Games to Try

Summer isn't complete without kids splashing in the pool, the aroma of hot dogs on the grill, and friends gathering for a sunny afternoon. Sixty percent of Americans look forward to grilling this summer, and it's no surprise that 38 percent of hot dogs sold in the U.S. are purchased between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Hot dogs rank third among grilled favorites, behind corn on the cob (No. 2) and cheeseburgers (No. 1) [source: Applegate]. Garden parties aren't just about food; they're about camaraderie. Summer is ideal for low-skill lawn games with loved ones, and we offer 10 easy DIY game ideas, starting with the oddly-named pickleball (no pickles required, leaving more for your plate).

10: Pickleball

The inaugural pickleball court was constructed in 1967 by Joel Pritchard in his Bainbridge Island, Wash., backyard during winter. You can create a similar setup in your own yard [source: Barberio].

Pickleball is a paddle sport that can be played as singles (2 players) or doubles (4 players). It blends elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis (ping pong). To play, you need paddles, a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a wiffleball), a badminton-sized court, and a net. No pickles are used. Lightweight, portable nets are available for temporary backyard setups.

9: Hopscotch

Hopscotch challenges your balance; the goal is to be the first to hop from point A to point B and back without stepping on the lines or losing your footing.

Hopscotch can be enjoyed solo or with a group of any size. All you need is a small object like a coin, stone, or keys to serve as your marker (sometimes called a 'potsy'). The court can be drawn with chalk or made permanent with stone tiles. While the longest hopscotch court spans 18,064 feet (5,506 meters), a typical backyard court is a 10-foot (3-meter) by 3-foot (nearly 1-meter) rectangle divided into 10 numbered spaces [sources: Guinness World Records, SportsKnowHow].

8: Horseshoes

In horseshoes, players take turns pitching two horseshoes at a ground stake. With over 15 million players in North America, the game is popular both casually and in organized leagues. You can create a DIY pit in your backyard to join the fun [source: NHPA]. A standard court is 46 feet (14 meters) long and 6 feet (about 2 meters) wide, but backyard versions are often smaller, using dirt or sand.

A single game of horseshoes can involve pitching up to 3,000 shoes, offering a fun way to stay active [source: NHPA]. Each horseshoe weighs around 2.5 pounds (1.1 kilograms), and playing to 40 points typically requires throwing two shoes per inning for about 50 innings. This can burn approximately 150 calories per hour [sources: Lanhum, Krautwurst].

7: Spikeball

Spikeball blends elements of volleyball and foursquare, with a hint of playful banter. It's perfect for the beach but equally suited for backyard fun.

Played with four people in teams of two, the game uses a taut, ankle-high net the size of a Hula Hoop. The net resembles a mini-trampoline with a net instead of a bouncing surface. Team A serves the palm-sized ball into the net, and Team B has up to three hits to return it by bouncing it back off the net. The first team to reach 21 points (with a 2-point lead) wins [source: Spikeball].

6: Two-liter Lawn Bowling

Have leftover soda bottles from your summer BBQ? Use them for a backyard lawn bowling game. You’ll need 10 empty 2-liter bottles to get started.

To create bowling pins from soda bottles, wash and dry them, then add gravel or sand to weigh them down and prevent them from tipping over in the wind. For a more polished look, remove the labels and paint the bottles with plastic-friendly paint. Go for a classic white-and-red design, a rainbow theme, or fill the clear bottles with decorative items for a unique touch.

Mow a bowling 'lane' in your yard, set up the pins, and grab a ball (ideally the size of a bowling ball but lighter). Then, aim for a strike and enjoy the game.

5: Cornhole

Cornhole, also known as Corn Toss, is a perfect backyard game for BBQs or summer gatherings. Players toss small beanbags at a raised wooden board with a hole. To excel, find a comfortable stance, stay relaxed, and add a flat spin to your throw.

To create your own cornhole game, you can purchase a set or build one. For a DIY platform, use half-inch plywood cut to 4 feet (1.2 meters) by 2 feet (0.6 meters). Elevate the front with 2.5- to 4-inch (6.4- to 10.2-centimeter) risers and the back with 12-inch (30.5-centimeter) risers. The beanbags should be 6-inch (15.2-centimeter) squares [source: McGilvray].

4: Outdoor Tic-tac-toe

Tic-tac-toe is played on a 3x3 grid, where players alternate marking Xs and Os. The first to align three marks in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—wins. This game can be played anywhere, from paper to outdoor spaces. To create a backyard tic-tac-toe board, use nine flat, square tiles (stone, leftover kitchen or bathroom tiles, or even a mowed grass grid). For markers, use five Xs and five Os made from stones, flowers, or any weather-resistant objects.

3: Lawn Chess

Chess is played on a 64-square board with alternating colors. Each player starts with 16 pieces: eight pawns, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, one queen, and one king. Giant lawn chess follows the same rules, with players competing until one checkmates the opponent’s king, leaving no escape and ending the game.

Outdoor chess boards can be mowed into grass or made with wooden or stone tiles. Interlocking teak or plastic boards and pieces are also available for patio play.

2: Outdoor Twister

Left hand on red, left foot on yellow. Transform Twister into a backyard game for your next garden party using spray paint in red, blue, yellow, and green. If green on grass is hard to see, use white instead. Paint 24 circles in four rows of six, or use a stencil for a polished look. Decide who calls the moves and start playing.

1: Crazy Croquet

Croquet was once considered a scandalous game, being one of the first where men and women could play together—leading to its temporary ban. Today, creative players have reimagined the game, blending croquet with miniature golf to create a unique hybrid known as crazy croquet.

Crazy croquet, like traditional croquet, involves hitting balls through wickets. Using a standard croquet set (or multiple sets for larger groups), players navigate an obstacle course featuring ramps and plateaus made from materials like plywood, bricks, or rocks.