Content Attributes
Entertaining your guests during backyard social gatherings can be challenging. Unless you have a pool, hot tub, or an elaborate patio, keeping everyone occupied will take some creative thinking. Some initial ideas that come to mind might be hosting a potluck picnic or barbequing, but even these ideas might not be realistic.
What you probably need for entertainment is just a simple, affordable way to make your time together memorable. One way to accomplish this is to refer to classic games you can play outside. Have you ever seen one of those kids’ jumbo checkers set? That’s the kind of game setup you need to incorporate for your next gathering.
If you’re not a fan of checkers, luckily, there are many other options to choose from. You can also find oversized outdoor game sets for classics like four-in-a-row and giant bowling sets. Other backyard game staples like cornhole and bocce ball are also sure to be a hit. To help you plan your social gathering, check out Elakai Outdoor and consider incorporating the following five games into your next event.
Four-In-A-Row
If you’ve ever gone to a children’s play museum, you might have seen giant four-in-a-row games with massive pieces. Guess what? These oversized alternatives to the classic tabletop version are not limited to museum settings. Like the tabletop version, you can get a giant game set for outside.
Take your outdoor games to a new level by getting a four-in-a-row game set that includes:
- the standing board
- game pieces for the forty-two slots
- two catch bars for locking and unlocking
Make this giant version of the classic four-in-a-row game the focal point of your outdoor event. Be sure to purchase a board with detachable legs so your board stands securely in the grass. Just connect four pieces, and you win!
Bocce Ball To Go
Impress your guests with a professional-grade portable Bocce ball set. This game has been around forever and is perfect for adults to play during a social cocktail hour or outdoor gathering. Look for professional-grade options that offer lifetime warranties to enjoy your game set forever.
Opt for sets with actual resin balls and a resin Pallino to add a touch of sophistication to your next outdoor games event. Your guests will enjoy implementing skills and strategies to play the game alone or in teams. This classic game is straightforward and easy to play but capable of providing hours of enjoyment for your guests.
Whoever reaches 13 points first wins. Make sure to look for “to-go” bocce ball game sets that come with a storage bag. When your outdoor game is over, you can bring your set to the beach, or anywhere you’d like to enjoy an outdoor bocce ball game.
Tic-Tac-Toe, That’s Three-In-A-Row
Another way to incorporate outdoor games is to play tic-tac-toe with sidewalk chalk. If you have a paved driveway or live in a cul-de-sac, you and your guests can create a huge board with chalk and play this classic game together. The objective is to be the first to get three in a row of either an “X” or an “O.”
This game is also fun to play with washable paint if sidewalk chalk is unavailable. Additionally, if you’re planning outdoor games on the grass, you can find oversized tic-tac-toe boards to play on your lawn instead. Just use movable “X” and “O” pieces and the game board provided instead of creating the layout yourself. Opt for waterproof boards and game pieces in case it starts to rain!
Family Cornhole Or “Bags”
Of the many outdoor games that are now increasingly popular (like frisbee golf and pickleball), cornhole is, without question, the number one choice among these favorite, classic outdoor games. Adults and kids can enjoy this simple game using just a few props. Each team is assigned a bag color, and points are awarded based on how you and your guests like to play. There are many ways to play, and you might even have a local approach, depending on where you live. In the South, for instance, cornhole is extremely popular, and families are particular about the way they play the game.
- If you like incorporating family game rules, an option could include awarding points for getting the bags in the hole and fewer points for when they land on the board.
- In addition to purchasing a cornhole game set, you can create your own with cardboard and use wiffle balls instead. You can even make your own cornhole bags as a creative project before your game starts. Not only will this make the game more interesting, but it will add another activity for your guests to enjoy.
- Although there are some preset rules to cornhole, most games incorporate rules decided on by the players. You can add cooperation and participation to your outdoor games by encouraging guests to come up with new rules to play.
Giant Lawn Bowling For Everyone
You don’t have to go to the bowling alley to enjoy bowling. Pick up an oversized set of wooden bowling pins made from high-quality materials and enjoy outdoor games like lawn bowling for years. The large game materials will make this game fun for the whole family, as it will allow little kids the grip they need to roll the ball and knock down pins.
Depending on the materials of your giant lawn bowling game set, lawn bowling can be played on the grass and even on the sand. If you’re looking for a toddler’s version of the game, consider oversized plastic sets instead. These lightweight versions will make bowling fun for little kids just getting familiar with the game.
Making Your Event One To Remember
Consider implementing outdoor games like those discussed above and have even more fun at your next gathering. With simple, easy-to-play game sets, everyone will have a blast. Make sure your next outdoor social event is truly one to remember by playing classic outdoor games.