Updated on June 29, 2025
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy some fun and games with the family. Creating your own backyard games can be a fantastic way to entertain everyone and spend quality time together.
Image by Vivian 郑 from Pixabay
Easy DIY Backyard Games
This blog post includes a variety of fun DIY backyard games that are easy to set up and guaranteed to provide hours of fun.
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Classic Lawn Games with a Twist
DIY Giant Jenga
Create a giant Jenga set using 2×4 wooden blocks. Sand the edges and paint them in fun colors. Stack them up and let the fun begin!
DIY Cornhole
Build your own cornhole boards and bags. Decorate the boards with your family’s favorite colors or sports teams. Set them up in the yard for a fun bean bag toss game.
Not into DIY? No worries! You can leave the building part to someone else and add a custom design to one here.
Water Games for Hot Days
DIY Water Balloon Piñata
Fill balloons with water and hang them up on a clothesline. Blindfold the kids and let them take turns trying to burst the colorful water balloons with a stick.
DIY Sponge Toss
Cut a variety of large colorful sponges into fun shapes and set up a target board. Soak the sponges in water and let the kids toss them at the target for points.
Creative DIY Obstacle Courses
Backyard Obstacle Course
Use household items like hula hoops, cones, and ropes to create an obstacle course. Set up different challenges like jumping through hoops, crawling under ropes, and balancing on beams.
Pool Noodle Obstacle Course
Use pool noodles to create arches and tunnels. Set them up in the yard and have the kids navigate through them.
Fun with Nature
DIY Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for the kids to find in the backyard, like specific leaves, rocks, or flowers. Provide them with a bag and a list, and let the scavenger hunt begin.
DIY Nature Bingo
Make bingo cards with pictures of different items found in nature. As the kids find each item, they can mark it off on their bingo card. If you are short on time to go the DIY route, any of these fun nature bingo sets will work.
Team Games for Family Bonding
DIY Tug of War
Use a sturdy rope for a classic game of tug of war. Mark a line in the grass and see which team can pull the other across it.
DIY Sack Race
Use old pillowcases or burlap sacks for a fun sack race. Line up the kids and have them hop to the finish line.
Something for Everyone
These DIY backyard games are perfect for creating fun and memorable moments with your family this summer.
From classic lawn games to creative obstacle courses, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your supplies, head outside, and let the games begin!
Check out my Zazzle shop, Milestone Momma, for more games (and puzzles) you can personalize.
BONUS TIP: Organize a Block Party in Your Neighborhood
My neighbors gather together every summer for our annual block party. It starts at noon with the street sweeper cleaning the street and then the ends are blocked off from traffic. Food is done potluck style and every family organizes a game or activity. We’ve done everything from volleyball matches and photo booths to family-friendly movies projected off someone’s garage and white elephant gift games.
You May Also Like
- Top 10 summer party ideas for kids.
- How to host a fun and festive summer Olympics watch party with kids.
- 31 Family-Friendly Crafts: A Craft Month Challenge for Creative Bonding
