32 DIY Backyard Party Games for the Best Summer Party Ever

Awesome summer parties need awesome outdoor games and entertainment and these amazing DIY Backyard Party Games will guarantee the Best Summer Party ever!

The weather’s heating up and we’re ready to start planning for 4th of July celebrations, summer birthday parties, and family reunions. We’re so excited to share with you these DIY Backyard Party Games for the Best Summer Party Ever so you can make the most of the warm summer months.

In this round-up, you will find classic family yard games, amazing DIY creative takes on the classics and lots of water fun games for boys, girls and the whole family. And if you don’t have a backyard head to your local park to enjoy hours of fun.

Some of these games require your time and DIY skills, some are super easy to set up with items you very likely already have at home. There’s plenty of choice for everyone and we’re super confident you will love these games as much as us.

Scroll below and have fun!

Best DIY Yard Games for Your Outdoor Summer Party

1. DIY Painted Potato Sack Race Bags

Does anybody still do potato sack races? If you haven’t done this in a while, put it on your list of things to do at your next party. It’s definitely fun for kids, even more fun for adults who can barely fit into the little sacks and awkwardly hop across the yard, but the most fun is for the spectators who get to watch the spectacle in front of them.

Check out how to make these DIY Painted Potato Sack Race Bags with simple hand-painted treatments to add a little style to the plain potato sacks.

Learn more: Design Improvised

2. DIY Giant Kerplunk Backyard Game

This DIY Giant Kerplunk Backyard Game is a giant yard game version of the tabletop Kerplunk game you might have in your game cabinet. See the link below for details on how to make this awesome game for your outdoor party.

Learn more: Backyard Buffs

3. DIY Flamingo Ring Toss Yard Game

Colorful pots and bright flamingos are as eye-catching as they are fun with this easy DIY Flamingo Ring Toss Yard Game. This game is perfect for tropical summer themes and simple backyard barbecues.

Learn more: Sugar and Cloth

4. Frisbee Tic Tac Toe

I can’t catch a frisbee to save my life, but this simple giant Frisbee Tic Tac Toe looks like something anybody can do. This backyard party game is quick and easy to put together and fun for all ages.

Learn more: One Creative Mommy

5. DIY Giant Lawn Dominoes

My kids just learned how to play the “real” dominoes game (as opposed to the activity that involves lining them up in intricate patterns and then knocking them down) while we were visiting Old Salem. I was actually surprised at how much they enjoyed playing the game version and I think this DIY Giant Lawn Dominoes version of Dominoes would go over really well at an outdoor party since it’s fun for adults and kids. Visit this tutorial to see how this set was made.

Learn more: Dream a Little Bigger

6. DIY Kubb Game for Outdoor Parties

I have to admit, I’ve never heard of this game before. But, it says it’s the best lawn game ever. And, after reading the description on Let’s Get Together, I am seriously intrigued and feel the need to make this set right now and get a game going in our cul-de-sac just to see if it can live up to its claim. Check out this tutorial to see what you need to make your own DIY Kubb Game, plus a video on how to play.

Learn more: Let’s Get Together

7. DIY Wooden Yard Dice

Introduce your kids to some fun dice games with this DIY Wooden Yard Dice. And if you fancy a good DIY project this tutorial will take you through all the steps to craft this awesome set for some outdoor summer fun.

Learn more: Blue I Style

8. Make a Hula Hoop Croquet Yard Game

Croquet is a fine yard game in and of itself, but I love this hula hoop version which makes the game a little more kid-friendly. Grab some hula hoops and rubber balls from the Dollar Store and you’re all set to make this Hula Hoop Croquet Yard Game.

Learn more: The Crafting Chicks

9. Homemade Mini Golf Course

I love this simple and totally doable Homemade Mini Golf Course. I can see how much my kids would enjoy this for their next birthday party. This course uses ordinary household objects like cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, books and balloons to construct this fun 9-hole miniature golf game.

Learn more: ehow

10. DIY Ring Toss Game

Ring toss is a classic carnival game and is a fun game to set up in your own backyard. This DIY Ring Toss Game is made from wooden boards, copper pipe and manilla rope rings, so you’ll be able to keep it around for years of fun.

Learn more: Anika’s DIY Life

11. Water Gun Targets for DIY Backyard Party Games

Water games are a must for summer parties. I love this Water Gun Targets for DIY Backyard Party Games take on an old carnival game. If you make a few of the target cups, you can have several people competing at once. The goal is to see who can fill up their cup the fastest!

Learn more: All For the Boys

12. Glow in the Dark Ring Toss Game

If your party is going to go late this summer, be sure to check out this awesome Glow in the Dark Ring Toss Game. And if you love the idea you can even throw a Glow in the Dark party!

Learn more: A Pumpkin & A Princess

13. DIY Backyard Giant Jenga Game

Jenga is another one of those games that can easily be scaled up for an outdoor party game. Just don’t stack it above your head! You can view the tutorial to make this DIY Backyard Giant Jenga Game below.

Learn more: The Idea Room

14. DIY Wall Ring Toss Game

Here’s a cool twist on the regular ring toss game. I think this DIY Wall Ring Toss Game is a great idea because it can stay permanently put up outside and you can play anytime. This is an easy DIY project you can do in one afternoon.

Learn more: The Inspired Workshop

15. Giant Paper Airplanes

Kids will have a blast making and playing with these Giant Paper Airplanes. Paper airplanes are easy, inexpensive, and so much fun. Scale up with some poster board and you’ve got an exciting outdoor activity for guests of all ages!

Learn more: Fireflies & Mudpies

16. Outdoor Lawn Twister Game

Bring out the old classic Twister game, backyard style, with some spray paint! And if you need a little guidance check out this Outdoor Lawn Twister Game tutorial for the details.

Learn more: Tip Junkie

17. Tin Can Bowling

Find out how to use simple cans for a fun Tin Can Bowling game plus 4 more fun games to do with them in this tutorial. Transform the cans with some spray paint and kids can decorate them with some stickers to make them even more fun.

Learn more: A Girl and A Glue Gun

18. DIY Pool Noodle Frisbee Target

I am amazed at all of the amazing things people come with to do with pool noodles! Check out how to make this fabulous DIY Pool Noodle Frisbee Target. You can incorporate a stand like this in a variety of backyard games: use it for throwing frisbee and foam splash balls or get creative and see what else you can come up with!

Learn more: A Few Shortcuts

19. Water Balloon Piñata

Water Balloon Piñata is the ultimate summer party fun. All you need to create this one are water balloons tied together in clusters of three and then hang them on a low branch and get the kids bashing the pinata with a plastic baseball bat.

Learn more: Fireflies & Mud Pies

20. DIY Dunk Bucket

Here’s an awesome DIY idea for some cool summer fun. And if you fancy creating this DIY Dunk Bucket do check out the instructions in this post to get you started.

Learn more: The Happy Housewife

21. DIY Milk Jug Water Balloon Toss

This DIY Milk Jug Water Balloon Toss is a fun and simple game you can make with repurposed milk jugs! Guess what happens if the water balloon breaks?! This is a must-have game for the kids at your summer BBQs.

Learn more: Kid Friendly Things To Do

22. Water Balloon Baseball

Water Balloon Baseball is definitely a thing and is so much fun to play. For your next backyard party, fill up some water balloons with different amounts of water so that some will burst easily and some will just be bouncy. Players won’t know which ones will burst on contact and which water balloons will make a great play! Your guests must be willing to get a little wet with this game so save it for the hottest of hot summer party days. See below for this game plus some tips on getting the kids to clean up the balloon pieces.

Learn more: Overstuffed Life

23. Water Balloon Hunt Outdoor Game

You can just never have enough water game ideas in your bag to keep those kids busy during summer break. This Water Balloon Hunt Outdoor Game is a fun twist on an Easter Egg Hunt kids are sure to love.

Learn more: Kid Friendly Things To Do

24. Balloon Boppers Kids Game

A few simple materials are all you need to make some foam paddles for this fun Balloon Boppers Kids Game. This one is great for kids of all ages.

Learn more: Crafting in the Rain

25. How to Make Sponge Bombs

Beat the heat with these cool Sponge Bombs. They make a great alternative to water balloons and can be used again and again. Find out how to make them with some household sponges and hair elastic in this tutorial.

Learn more: Inner Child Fun

26. Ping Pong Ball Nerf Targets

All the Nerf fans will love these Ping Pong Ball Nerf Targets. These amazing targets are created with an empty plastic bottle covered with duct tape and filled with small rocks and a ping pong ball on top. Simple and hours of fun.

Learn more: Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

27. DIY Backyard Slingshot and Angry Birds Game

Check out this awesome DIY Backyard Slingshot and Angry Birds Game made with PVC pipes, green felt pigs, ball birds and a few painted boxes. This is a great project to do with kids, they will have fun making it and then knocking down the boxes and pigs, Angry Birds-style!

Learn more: Keeping It Simple Crafts

28. DIY Pugil Sticks

This DIY Pugil Sticks made with one big pool noodle is a super-fun game for the young ones, or those who are young at heart (i.e. not for anyone who might fall and break a hip). If you don’t have stumps, you can use step stools, buckets, milk crates, etc. You can even turn them into swords with some sword handle connectors! Whoever knocks the other person off first wins!

Learn more: A Girl and A Glue Gun

29. DIY Backyard Bubble Station

A DIY Backyard Bubble Station like this one from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons will keep kids happy for hours! As long as they can keep filling those cups up they’ll be having a blast with their bubbles.

Learn more: Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons

30. DIY Ping Pong Tic Tac Toe Game

Here’s another great way to make an outdoor tic tac toe board. Check out all the details on making your own DIY Ping Pong Tic Tac Toe Game in this tutorial.

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

31. DIY Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game

If you love a DIY project making this DIY Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game for your kids will make them very happy. For this project, you will need some plywood, paint, a riveter, rivets, mesh and some power tools. Fancy having a go?

Learn more: Thrift Diving

32. DIY Bean Bag Toss

If you rather keep it simple here’s a super simple DIY Bean Bag Toss that you can set up very quickly with some clay pot saucers, spray paint and beanbags. This tutorial includes a free printable numbers template for the saucers.

Learn more: Mod Podge Rocks

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