25 Fun DIY Yard Games for This Summer
With nicer weather outside, it’s time to bring on the yard games! Check out these 25 DIY yard games for kids and adults you can make for your next family or friend gathering.
Summer is here and it’s time for family gatherings outdoors. Barbecues, birthday parties, and get-togethers are the best part of summer.
No party or gathering is complete without some fun yard games to play. You don’t have to buy games, you can DIY your own!
Check out these 25 DIY lawn games for kids and adults.
1. DIY Ring Toss Game
A classy take on the traditional carnival game, you’ll just need a few supplies to make this DIY ring toss game. It’s a quick and easy project that’s great for family gatherings! I used scrap wood and manilla rope to make this fun backyard game.
2. Lightweight Cornhole Boards
Do you love to play cornhole, but hate dragging those heavy boards outside? I designed a set of lightweight boards that are easy to carry and easy to store away when you’re done playing.
I used 1x3s and 1/4″ plywood to make this set cornhole game boards and although the plywood isn’t regulation size, we won’t be competing anywhere except in our own backyard.
Get the plans to build this fun outdoor game here.
3. DIY Backyard Chip Shot Golf Game from Addicted 2 DIY
Inspire a little friendly competition with this chip shot golf yard game. Friends and family will have a blast at your next get-together playing this game.
Made from plywood with astro turf on the top side, it’s an easy woodworking project anyone can build. Use plastic golf balls to make this game safe for kids and adults alike.
Tutorial and plans to make your own here.
4. Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Game from the Awesome Orange
Tic Tac Toe is one of those classic games that everyone knows how to play. It’s a fun game where you try to beat your opponent by getting three of your pieces in a row.
You can make your own game with plywood and cedar fence pickets. Game pieces are magnetic and stick to the sheet metal back.
Tutorial to make your own here.
5. DIY Molkky Game from My Repurposed Life
Molkky is an outdoor game I had never heard of. It’s basically a bowling game played outside. This Molkky set is made using 2″ dowels for the pins. The two skittles (used in place of bowling balls) are also made with 2″ dowels. Paint them in any color you choose.
Learn how to make your own game here.
6. Giant Connect Four Game from DIY Huntress
Do you remember playing connect four when you were growing up? The best part was tipping the lever for all the pieces to fall out! This might look like a complicated build, but it isn’t. All you need is plywood and 1×4 boards and a few basic tools to make your own.
Tutorial to make your own here.
7. Giant Dominoes from Jenn Woodhouse
Lawn Dominoes is a fun game for the entire family to play. This game is perfect for your next barbecue, birthday celebration, or even a tailgating party.
1×8 boards are the perfect size for yard dominoes and a 1″ Forstner bit is used to make the pips for each piece.
Full tutorial to make your own here.
8. DIY Backyard Bean Bag Toss from Thrift Diving
Liven up a boring backyard for your kiddos with this easy-to-make bean bag toss game. Plywood, paint, and mesh are all you need to make your own set. It’s a fun and easy DIY project anyone can make!
Learn how to make your own here.
9. Milk Bottle Toss Game from Delineate Your Dwelling
A fun milk bottle toss game that is easy to customize in your own colors. The milk bottles made from wood come premade all you have to do is choose your paint colors to make it your own.
Tutorial to make your own here.
10. Tic Tac Toe Game Board from A Home to Grow Old In
I love a good wood slice project! This Tic Tac Toe game is made using natural elements. Add a little boho design with arrows for the game board an pick out slightly flat stones for the Xs and Os. It’s a fun game to play while relaxing on your patio, porch, or deck.
11. DIY Giant Kubb Game from Our Handcrafted Life
Kubb, also known as Viking Chess, is an easy backyard game to make. You’ll need a 4×4 board and 1″ dowels to make your own game. Although I haven’t read up on how to play this game, you can learn how to play in the written tutorial for this backyard game idea.
12. DIY Outdoor Football Toss from Cherished Bliss
Get ready for the big game with a little warm-up football toss game in the backyard. Made from plywood and cedar boards it’s a beginner-friendly woodworking project you can make in a day. Decorate your game board lines to mimic a football field or even add your favorite team’s name to your board.
13. DIY Hook and Ring Game from H2O Bungalow
Have you ever played the hook and ring game? It takes precision and concentration to get that little ring on the hook. It’s not as easy as you may think, but it will give hours of backyard entertainment for the whole family.
Full tutorial to make your own here.
14. DIY Plinko Game from Happiness is Homemade
Make your own DIY Plinko game using foam board and toothpicks. It’s an inexpensive yard game that your kids will love to play. You can recycle lids for the Plinko chips. The first player to 21 wins!
Full tutorial to make your own here.
15. DIY Giant Jenga from DIY Huntress
This is the ultimate giant Jenga yard game! It even comes with it’s own storage box on wheels so you can easily roll it around to where you want to play.
The game pieces are made from 2x4s and the storage case is made from 1x8s. Everyone will want to play this DIY yard game at your next family gathering.
Get the plans to make your own!
16. DIY Washer Toss from Pretty Handy Girl
The object of the DIY washer toss is to reach 21 points before your opponent by tossing your washers either into the box or into the cup. Only one player gets the points each round so make sure you get the most! This DIY game is made from plywood and a PVC coupler makes the cup.
17. DIY Log Bowling Yard Game from Worth Writing For
A game that is perfect for large groups this DIY log bowling game is easy to make. You can make this game using 4″ round fence posts. This creator and her family have come up with their own set of rules that you have to check out for your next gathering with family friends.
18. DIY Outdoor Pick-Up Sticks from Delineate Your Dwelling
Do you remember playing pick-up sticks when you were young and how little the sticks were? Well, this DIY outdoor yard game is made with dowel rods, but the same rules apply.
19. DIY Giant Yard Dice for Yahtzee from Jenn Woodhouse
Yard Yahtzee is a fun game to play with the whole family and you need giant dice to play it. You can make them yourself from scrap 4x4s. Placement of the number of dots is crucial and specific so be sure to follow the tutorial.
20. DIY Ring Toss from The Inspired Workshop
Unlike my ring toss game that you play on the ground, this version hangs on the exterior wall of your home and is played by throwing the rings at the hooks on the plywood circle. It’s easy to make and you’ll fun playing it at your next barbecue.
Full tutorial to make your own.
21. Marble Toss Game from Pretty Handy Girl
Your kids will love this easy game! Marble toss is great for younger children and it’s an easy DIY project to build. Plywood, 1x3s and 2x4s are used to make this yard game. Customize with paint colors of your choice.
22. Outdoor Bowling Lane from Handmade with Ashley for Remodelaholic
How cute is this mini bowling DIY yard game? You can have your own bowling lane right in your backyard. Made using pocket hole joinery, it’s built to last. Your kids will have so much fun playing this mini-bowling game. You may even want to join in the fun.
23. DIY Ladder Golf from Diva of DIY
This DIY ladder golf game is made using PVC pipes for easy construction. You can make your own for under $30 and in less than 2 hours. The hardest part is drilling holes in the golf balls to thread them onto the nylon rope.
Full tutorial to make your own here.
24. DIY Kid’s Cornhole Boards from Remodelaholic
Cornhole is a game that can be played by all ages. Smaller kids need smaller boards and they are easy to make using pallet boards. These would be great for a birthday party or for them to play while the big people play on normal size cornhole boards.
Tutorial to make your own here.
25. DIY Outdoor Scoreboard from Not Just A Housewife
When you’re playing DIY backyard games, you need an outdoor scoreboard. It’s easy to make using plywood and a 3/8″dowel. You can use it for volleyball, cornhole, or any of the DIY yard games in this list.
Step-by-step instructions to make your own.
Which one is your favorite? I can’t wait to see all the things you build! Happy building!
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
