53 Fun Outdoor Games For Children and Adults

This is an incredibly fun game to watch and play, guaranteed to get everyone excited. It’s perfect for challenging your guests at an outdoor party or letting kids try it out at a garden birthday party.

The game is played two at a time. Each player gets two spoons and one apple. Place the apple on one spoon, held in any hand you choose, and have the other spoon (or ladle) in your other hand.

When the signal is given, the goal is to knock the opponent’s apple off their spoon without dropping your own. The first player to have their apple fall to the ground loses. You are not allowed to touch your opponent with your body, only the spoons may be used. To protect your apple, you can hold it high, low, or even behind your back. Anything goes as long as the apple stays balanced on your spoon.

You can even organize it as a tournament, where everyone competes until one person is crowned the winner.

Tips

For kids (and sometimes adults), it can be helpful to play in a small, defined area (about 3x3 meters) to keep the game quick and lively.

This challenging party game is played in pairs. If you’re playing at a kids’ party, it’s a good idea to pair children who are roughly the same size before starting. With adults, having mixed sizes often adds to the fun!

The game works like this: each pair sits back-to-back on the ground and links their arms together. When the start signal is given, the teams must work together to stand up without breaking their arm hold. The first team to successfully stand up wins!

While it may seem easy, this game often turns out to be much trickier than expected. Keep playing until every team has managed to stand.

To play this game, all you need is a soccer ball. It’s best enjoyed outdoors in a backyard, garden, or any open area where there’s room to kick a ball around.

The goal is simple: kick the ball at specific targets, such as a tree or a garage door, or even get it to stop inside a bush or roll beneath a table. There are a couple of fun ways to play. If you have ample space, you can treat it like a round of soccer golf - set up multiple targets and count how many kicks each player takes to hit each one. Fewer kicks mean a better score, and the player with the lowest total wins.

If you’re in a smaller area, such as a backyard, you can play a target challenge game. Choose a target, and let each player take three shots. One hit earns 1 point, two hits earn 2 points, and hitting all three gets 3 points. Then, choose a new target and repeat the process. Some fun target ideas include a flagpole, the edge of a swimming pool, a soccer goal, a tree, a bush, a garage door, or even trying to get the ball through the door of a kids' playhouse. Use what you have around—make sure the targets are safe and fun!

This is a challenging balancing competition, ideal for adults, older kids, or teenagers. You can play it in your garden or at a park.

Start by placing the knife, fork, glass, and plate on the tray. Players must balance the tray using only one flat hand placed underneath it. Curling fingers around the edge of the tray for support while moving is not allowed.

The goal is to complete a designated course as quickly as possible.

The course can be simple, such as running around a tree in your backyard and returning to the starting point. You can also add obstacles along the way, like a table to crawl under or something to step over.

If a contestant drops any item from the tray, they must stop and retrieve it. They can only continue once everything is placed back on the tray while still using just one flat hand beneath it. However, they can set the tray down and use both hands to pick up items and reset the tray.

The fastest player to reach the goal wins!

Team Relay

You can easily turn the game into a relay race! Divide the players into teams. When one player finishes the course, they pass the tray to the next team member.

The first team to complete the course will be declared the winner!

This hilarious balloon race game is enjoyable for both kids and adults. It’s a bit goofy and chaotic, making it entertaining for spectators as well.

The game works great as either an individual challenge or a team competition.

Each player starts with a fully inflated balloon placed snugly between their knees. (Tip: use smaller balloons for younger kids to make it manageable.) At your signal, contestants must waddle, hop, or shuffle their way to a designated checkpoint, round it, and make their way back - all without dropping or popping the balloon.

If a player drops their balloon before reaching the checkpoint, they must pick it up and return to the starting line to try again. However, if they drop it after rounding the checkpoint, they only need to go back to that point, not all the way to the start.

If someone pops their balloon, they must run back to the start, inflate a new balloon, and return to the point where the old balloon burst before continuing.

Balloon Race Relay (Team Version)

To play a relay version, divide players into teams. Each team will have its own course and checkpoint. One player at a time completes the race and then hands the balloon over to the next teammate. The first team to have all members complete the course wins!

This game can be played at parties, in schools, or in preschools, making it suitable for all ages.

This is a fun and simple outdoor game where participants team up in pairs to test their tossing and catching skills.

Each team starts with one water balloon. The first player tosses the balloon to their partner, who tries to catch it without popping it. If the balloon breaks, that team is eliminated. If the catch is successful, both players take one step backward, increasing the distance for the next toss.

Players continue to toss and catch the balloon, moving farther apart each time they do so. The team that manages to throw and catch the balloon successfully over the longest distance wins!

Kid-Friendly Version

This game is a cooperative and friendlier version that typically lasts a bit longer. If the balloon doesn’t break during a toss but a player fails to catch it, both players take a step forward to reduce the distance. If they successfully toss and catch the balloon from that distance, they can each take a step back and try the same distance again. If a balloon pops, the team is disqualified.

Get ready for some splashy, fun, and friendly competition!

Challenge your friends to a fun and tasty race in this competitive party game for two players! To set it up, prepare a long candy string. If necessary, tie together two or three pieces to make it extra long. Tie a small treat or candy in the middle of the string.

Each player should hold one end of the candy string in their mouth, standing face-to-face with each other. When the game starts, the goal is to be the first to eat your way along the string and reach the treat in the center.

Remember, hands must stay behind the back the entire time, and players aren’t allowed to pull, yank, or twist the string with their heads - only bite and nibble!

Get ready for a fun, sweet challenge!

This party game is a lot of fun for both kids and adults, and the best part is that everyone can participate, regardless of age. It’s easy to set up, hilarious to play, and just as entertaining to watch for those who aren’t competing. While it’s often played outdoors, it works just as well indoors as long as there is enough space.

To prepare for the game, set up two chairs for each player or team, placing them at least seven feet apart. On one chair, place a bowl filled with cotton balls; on the other, an empty bowl.

Before the game begins, apply a small dab of, for example, petroleum jelly or sticky hair wax to the tip of each participant’s nose. This is their only “tool” for transporting the cotton balls - no hands allowed!

The goal is to move as many cotton balls as possible from the full bowl to the empty one using only their noses. Players can shake, nod, or swing their heads to help drop the cotton balls into the bowl, but their hands must stay out of the game!

The player who transfers the most cotton balls in 2 minutes wins.

Team Version (Relay Style)

To play in teams, set up two chairs per team and turn it into a relay. One person at a time will take a turn moving cotton balls for about 30 seconds to a minute, then tag the next player. Continue this process until all team members have played or until a specified total time has elapsed (such as 5 minutes). The team with the most cotton balls in their bowl at the end wins!

This fast-paced and straightforward party game is all about speed, and a little bit of skill!

Provide each player with three crackers or biscuits. When the game begins, everyone races to eat all their crackers as quickly as possible. Once they finish, the player must whistle loudly to signal that they are done.

The first person to eat all their crackers and whistle clearly wins the game!

Dizzy Bat is a hilarious and exciting game that is just as much fun to watch as it is to play. Playing on soft grass, such as in your backyard, is a great option since spinning players can get very dizzy and may stumble or fall safely. You can play Dizzy Bat individually or as a relay team competition.

To set up the game, mark a starting line and place one stick or bat about 50 feet away from the starting line for each participant. Make sure the sticks are spaced well apart so that players don’t get in each other’s way.

When the starting signal sounds, players must run from the starting line to their assigned stick and pick it up. Then, they should hold one end of the stick against their forehead and place the other end firmly on the ground.

Next, the player must spin seven complete laps around the stick. The bottom end of the stick should remain in the same spot on the ground while they run their laps around it. After completing the seven spins, players should run back to the starting line as quickly as possible. The first player to return wins!

Team Relay Version

For a relay race, divide players into teams. The first player runs to the stick, spins seven times, then runs back and tags the next teammate. The relay continues until all team members have completed their turns. The first team to have all players finish and return to the starting line wins the game.

This sweet and silly game is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Give each participant one candy string and have them place just the tip of it in their mouth. Hands must stay behind their backs for the entire game - no cheating! When the signal is given, players race to eat the whole candy using only their mouths. No hands allowed!

The first person to finish and swallow their licorice lace wins the game.

This exciting and challenging outdoor game is perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy! It’s an excellent choice for Easter, birthday parties, or any gathering. Kids, in particular, will have a blast playing.

In this game, each player receives a spoon, which they hold by placing the handle in their mouth. The objective is to balance an egg on the spoon while racing through a designated course. The player who completes the course the fastest wins!

During the race, players are not allowed to touch the egg or the spoon with their hands. If a player drops the egg but it remains uncracked, they can pick it up and restart from the beginning. However, if the egg cracks, that player is out of the competition.

You can design the course as simple or challenging as you like, whether it involves running to and around an object or incorporating more complex obstacles.

Relay

For a fun twist, turn the game into a relay! After completing the course, each team member passes the egg to the next participant. The first team to finish wins the competition.

This is a hilarious and energetic game, perfect for an outdoor party. Set up water-filled bottles, cans, or any other suitable objects on a table. Place a tennis ball inside one leg of the tights so that it sits at the toe. The participant then puts the tights on over their head, with the ball hanging down in front.

With their hands behind their back, the player must swing the ball to knock over as many bottles or cans as possible, using only head movement, within a set time. You can run the game with one player at a time, or set up multiple tables so several players compete simultaneously.

To make the game even more dynamic, create a course with several tables. The player runs to the first table and tries to knock down an object, then races to the following table to continue. The fastest player to complete all tables wins.

Face the Cookie Challenge is a classic, popular, and fun game that’s much harder than it appears. It’s also easy to set up and entertaining for other party guests to watch.

To play, participants should sit in chairs with their faces directed toward the ceiling or sky, keeping their hands behind their backs. A cookie is placed on each participant’s forehead.

At the start signal, players must use only their facial muscles and head movements, making exaggerated expressions and movements, to move the cookie down their faces and into their mouths. Hands must remain behind their backs, and players must stay seated throughout the game. The first person to successfully get the cookie into their mouth and take a bite wins.

If someone drops their cookie, they can use their hands to pick it up and place it back on their forehead to start over.

This fun and active game can be played individually or in teams, making it perfect for any outdoor gathering.

Each participant ties their ankles together with a string or yarn, effectively “binding” their feet. Once everyone is ready, the goal is to complete a course as quickly as possible using only two-footed hops or waddling forward. Hands or crawling are not allowed!

You can design the course to include simple obstacles, such as circling a tree or navigating around garden furniture. Decide whether everyone will compete simultaneously or if participants will take turns with a stopwatch. The fastest player to finish the course wins!

Team Relay Version

For a team relay, players race one by one, each with their feet tied together. When one player crosses the finish line, the next teammate takes their turn. The first team to have all members complete the course wins!

All-Tied-Up Team Relay (Cooperative Challenge)

For an extra hilarious twist, try binding the entire team together! After tying each player’s ankles, connect team members to one another, so the whole group is linked. Each person should be tied to at least one teammate.

Now, the whole team must work together to complete the course as fast as possible. The team that crosses the finish line first wins.

Get ready for laughter, teamwork, and lots of hopping fun!

This fast-paced water game is perfect for warm days and outdoor fun. It works well for all ages and can be played individually or in teams, making it ideal for birthday parties, family gatherings, or summer playdates.

To set up the game, fill one bucket with water for each team or player and place them at the starting line. Next, position an empty bucket or bowl a short distance away for each team or player; ensure that all containers are the same size, as these will serve as the “goals.” Finally, provide each team or player with a dry sponge.

When the game starts, players must soak their sponge in the water-filled bucket, run to their empty bucket, and squeeze out as much water as they can. Then they run back and repeat - or hand off the sponge to the next teammate in a relay-style version.

Players are not allowed to move or touch the empty bucket. The goal is to fill it up using only the sponge. The first player or team to make their water overflow wins!

Challenges to Increase Difficulty

• Players are restricted to using only one hand.
• For a more exciting and wet version, players must balance the sponge on their heads while transporting it.

Disc golf is a fun and active outdoor game that’s great for playing with family and friends. All you need is a bit of space (a lawn, garden, park, or open field) and a few creative target ideas.

The game is flexible and can be easily adjusted to suit players of varying ages and skill levels. You can score points by hitting a target, landing closest to it, or even by creative criteria like getting the disc stuck in a bush or into a pool. For example, award 3 points to the closest throw, 2 for the second closest, and 1 for the third, or come up with your own system. Targets can be anything: a tree, a swing, a soccer goal, a kiddie pool, or a marked area on the ground. Just make sure it’s safe and fun.

Here are two ways to play:

Version 1 – One Goal at a Time

Set up several distinct targets and move from one to the next, similar to holes in traditional golf. After everyone has thrown, tally the points for that round before moving on to the next target. This version is great for group play and is ideal for incorporating disc golf into a larger event, such as a backyard pentathlon.

Version 2 – Lowest Number of Throws

Create a longer course with one distant target that requires at least three throws to reach. Each player takes turns trying to complete the course in the fewest number of throws. The one with the lowest total wins!

In this entertaining guessing game, players test their taste buds by identifying different beverages.

To set up, arrange several glasses in a row and fill them with a variety of drinks that suit your group’s preferences. These could include water, milk, beer, wine, iced coffee, tea, or creative blends, such as milk mixed with beer.

For added fun, consider choosing a theme, such as lemonade, soft drinks, beer, or energy drinks. To increase the challenge, blindfold the players before they take a sip.

Players taste each drink and try to guess what it is. The person with the most correct guesses wins!

Suppose you’re hosting a party or gathering that includes multiple mini-games. In that case, this bonus game is perfect - it’s a game about the games! This fun and inclusive icebreaker can be enjoyed by everyone, including children, adults, and even guests who are not participating in the main mini-games.

At the start of the party, decide which guests will compete in each mini-game. Then, create a few simple prediction questions, such as:

Example: Who will win the sack race?

• Zoe
• Mike
• Ellen

Each guest writes down their guesses on a sheet of paper before the games begin. They can even choose to guess their own name if they’re one of the contestants!

As the mini-games unfold, everyone becomes an eager spectator, cheering and watching closely to see if their predictions come true. At the end, tally up the correct guesses. The person with the most accurate predictions wins this entertaining side game. It’s a great way for guests who aren’t playing in the main events to still join in on the fun!

Candy games are always a hit with kids, but this particular game is enjoyable for all ages! I even tested it out with my grandparents, who are in their eighties, and they thought it was hilarious.

This game is perfect for summer parties, kids' birthdays, student gatherings, or any outdoor celebration. It’s far more entertaining than it may sound!

To prepare for the game, soak jelly candies in water for at least an hour before you begin. This makes them slimy and slightly swollen, which adds to the fun when it comes to spitting them out.

At the start of the game, each player receives a soaked candy. The challenge is to stand at a marked spot and spit the candy as far as possible! The player with the longest spit wins.

Team Version

You can turn this into a team competition by adding up the spit distances of each team member. The team with the greatest combined distance is declared the winner!

Relays are always a fun choice for outdoor activities. The Hanger Relay is an entertaining game that gets everyone moving and laughing, making it perfect for kids' birthday parties, student gatherings, or outdoor games with family and friends. You’ll need a bit of space, so it works best in a garden, lawn, or open field.

To play, start by dividing the participants into teams. The first player on each team should place a hanger horizontally between their knees (use smaller hangers for children). The player must hold a coin over one eye, like a monocle - using only their face, without hands! They should grip the hanger with both hands as if holding bike handlebars.

At the signal, the players must wobble their way through a simple obstacle course (for example, circling a tree, a cone, or a bucket) while making their best motorbike sound effects. Once they complete the course, they pass the hangers and coin to the next teammate, who repeats the challenge.

The first team to have all players complete the course wins!

If you’re looking for a fun and slightly challenging outdoor game, this toss activity is perfect for friends and family.

Start by filling 5 to 7 plastic bottles with water to give them some weight. Arrange the bottles in a row, leaving some space between each one. Place a tennis ball on top of each bottle. Make sure everything is set up on a flat, stable surface, such as a level lawn, bench, or table.

The objective of the game is to knock the balls off the tops of the bottles without tipping over the bottles themselves by tossing the tennis balls. Each player gets the same number of balls to throw as there are bottles.

Scoring:

• 3 points for each ball knocked off while the bottle remains standing
• -1 point if a bottle falls over
• 0 points for a complete miss

Kubb is a beloved lawn game, especially popular in Sweden. It’s perfect for playing in backyards, parks, or any outdoor space. Typically played as a strategic team game, Kubb can also be adapted into various mini-games with a bit of creativity - ideal for parties or even as part of a pentathlon. Play individually or in teams. Here are some examples of mini-games you could play if you own a Kubb game.

To begin, arrange five kubbs in a straight line, spacing them about 3 feet (1 meter) apart from the starting point. Place the king, a larger block, at the farthest end of this line.

If playing with two teams, create two identical lanes and center the king between them, ensuring it is equidistant from both teams' kubb lines.

Here are some versions of the game you can play:

Version 1 – Classic Points (Individual)

Each player gets six throwing sticks and tries to knock over the kubbs and the king from a starting line. Each kubb knocked down earns 2 points while hitting the king earns 4 points. The player with the most points at the end wins!

Version 2 – Beat the Clock (Individual Time Challenge)

Players take turns trying to knock down all the kubbs and the king as quickly as possible. Each player has six sticks to throw. After throwing all their sticks, they must run to retrieve them before continuing their attempts to knock down the targets. The player who completes the task in the fastest time wins!

Version 3 – Team Relay

Each team has one throwing stick to share. The first player throws the stick, runs to retrieve it, and then passes it to the next teammate. The teams take turns throwing the stick until all the kubbs and the king are knocked down. The first team to complete this wins!

Version 4 – Advance Forward

Add a twist to the game by allowing players/teams to move forward each time they successfully knock down a kubb. Start with the closest kubb; after knocking it over, the player/team steps forward to its position for the next throw. You can arrange the kubbs in creative ways, even creating a trail through your garden. Remember that the king should always be the last target. To increase the challenge, limit the number of throws or set a timer to determine the winner.

These variations of Kubb transform the traditional game into a high-energy activity filled with competition and skill! Challenge your kids, friends, colleagues, or family to see who has the best aim and fastest reflexes!

Kubb Tower Building is a great game to play at a summer party. It’s easy to set up, fun for all ages, and also works well as one of the events in a Pentathlon. The game is best played outdoors (on a table, on the ground in your backyard, or on a lawn at the local park).

You won’t need the full Kubb setup for this game. Leave out the King, the field markers, and the throw sticks. All you need are the kubbs themselves. The goal is simple: build the tallest tower possible using only the kubb blocks.

Version 1 - One Kubb at a Time

Players compete to build the tallest tower. Each player takes turns adding a kubb (block) to the tower. After adding a block, the tower must remain standing for ten seconds for the new height to be counted. Once the tower has stood for the full ten seconds, the player can add another block. If the tower falls, the last recorded height that remained stable for ten seconds will be considered the final score. The player who constructs the highest stable tower wins.

Version - Time Limit

The game is played against the clock. Each player has one minute to build the tallest tower they can. Any method or building style is allowed, and players can restart if the tower falls during the minute. The final height is whatever stands at the end of the one-minute timer, as long as it remains upright for ten seconds afterward. The tallest standing tower wins.

If you don’t own a kubb game, consider borrowing one from a friend. If that’s not an option, you can easily find a set for purchase online.

Limbo is a classic party game that adds energy and fun to any celebration, whether it’s a kids' birthday party, a student gathering, or a sunny backyard get-together. It’s easy to set up and enjoyable for all ages.

To play, you’ll need an object that can serve as a bar - anything from a broomstick to a pool noodle will work. Two people should hold the bar at either end unless you have a frame or stand to support it.

The rules are straightforward: players take turns trying to pass under the bar by leaning backward without touching the ground with their hands. After each round, the bar is lowered slightly to increase the challenge. The last person remaining who can successfully pass under the lowest height is crowned the winner.

Enhance the party atmosphere by playing upbeat music in the background!

Twists

• One-Leg Limbo: Everyone must hop on one leg while attempting to go under the bar.
• Couples Limbo: Players compete in pairs, with one partner carrying the other in some way while going under the bar.

This is a fun and engaging party game that’s perfect for playing with friends as well as with people you may not know very well. There is no limit to the number of participants, making it ideal for large birthday celebrations, student gatherings, or any lively social event.

To start, divide the players into teams of around 7 to 10 people each. Have each team stand in a line, one behind the other. Once everyone is in position, read out an instruction that tells them how to arrange themselves in line based on a specific criterion. As soon as the instruction is given, each team must work together to rearrange themselves as quickly and accurately as possible. The team that finishes first and gets the order right earns one point.

Examples of Instructions

• Ask teams to line up by height, with the shortest person at the front.
• Have them arrange themselves alphabetically by first name, with the person whose name starts closest to “A” standing at the front.
• You could also ask them to line up by age, starting with the youngest.
• Have them sort by how long they’ve known the birthday person, with the longest relationship at the front.
• Another idea is to have them arrange themselves by proximity to the party location, with the person living closest going first.
• For a relationship twist, you can ask them to line up based on the length of their current romantic relationships, with singles at the front and couples ordered from the newest to the longest-standing.

Keep the rounds moving quickly and mix up the instructions to keep everyone laughing and on their toes. The team with the most points at the end wins!

Twists

• To make the game even more challenging, have the players arrange themselves without speaking to one another. Gestures and facial expressions are allowed.
• One variation is to whisper an instruction to one team, allowing them to arrange themselves in the correct order, while the other teams attempt to guess what the instruction might be.

This simple yet surprisingly tricky activity is great fun for both kids and adults, and it works just as well indoors as it does outdoors.

The objective is straightforward: each player tries to cut a piece of string to match a specific length - say, exactly three feet, or even something quirky like the circumference of your head. Once everyone has made their cut, it’s time to measure. The person whose string is closest to the target length is the winner!

This game is also fun to play as a team challenge.

Team Competition

For the team version, divide players into groups and give each member their own piece of string. Instead of cutting the full target length, each person aims to cut an equal portion of the target length. For example, if the goal is three feet and there are three players per team, each player should try to cut a piece exactly one foot long - without measuring tools, of course!

After everyone has made their cut, measure each piece of string and add up the total for each team. The team whose combined string length is closest to the target wins the round.

This is a fun, relay-style memory game that’s perfect for playing outdoors.

To begin, divide your guests into teams and have each team line up with members spaced out across a large area, about 50 to 100 yards apart. Read a short sentence or two aloud to the first player on each team. That person then runs to the next teammate and repeats the text from memory. The message continues to be passed along in this way, from one teammate to the next, until it reaches the final person in the line.

The last player must then write down the message exactly as they heard it, or you can record their message on your phone.

The team that can most accurately reproduce the original text in the shortest amount of time wins the game.

This fun and nostalgic game challenges players to recall the lyrics of some of the most popular summer songs.

It’s easy to customize for your group. Use songs your family listened to during childhood summer holidays, last year’s biggest summer hits, or classic tracks that everyone knows and loves. A good mix keeps it fun and inclusive.

Give each team or participant a sheet containing short excerpts from several well-known summer songs. Some key words in the lyrics will be replaced with “…” to mark missing sections. The goal is to fill in those blanks with the correct words.

You decide how much time players will have to complete the challenge. When the time is up (or when everyone is ready), go through the correct answers together. Award one point for each correctly filled-in word. The player or team with the highest score wins.

This game is typically played in pairs but can easily be adapted into a relay race. Each team starts with a piece of fruit, commonly an orange (or you could use a tennis ball). The pairs must work together to move the orange along a designated course or distance.

To play, the competing pairs stand face to face with their hands behind their backs, holding the orange securely between their bellies. The challenge is to move as quickly as possible from start to finish without dropping the orange.

If the orange falls, the pair must stop, pick it up, and take three steps backward before continuing the race.

To turn this into a relay, each pair passes the orange to the following team members once they have completed their leg of the course.

This game is perfect for kids' parties and can easily be customized for any season. Try using pumpkins for a Halloween party, eggs for Easter, or even beach balls for a summer-themed event!

Challenging Adult Version

Replace the fruit with a plastic glass filled with water. The pair that has the most water remaining in their glass after crossing the finish line wins.

This is a fun, lighthearted game that is easy to organize and suitable for participants of all ages, including teens, adults, and seniors. You can even adapt it for children to join in! While the game can be played individually, it’s often more enjoyable in small teams of 2–3 people.

Write down eight summer-related categories on a sheet of paper and give one copy to each team or participant if playing solo. Be as broad, specific, or quirky as you like - there’s plenty of room for creativity.

Example of Category Ideas:

• Sounds of summer
• Songs associated with summer
• Famous people related to summer
• Popular food in the summer
• Frustrating aspects of summer

The aim is to predict what other teams will write, not just your own ideas! For each category, teams must list three things they think others will also write.

Once all teams have finished, gather everyone together. Go through the categories one by one, allowing each team to read their three answers for each category.

Scoring:

• For every answer that multiple teams have in common, each of those teams earns points equal to the number of teams that wrote that answer. For example, if 4 teams write “mosquitoes” for the category “Frustrating aspects of summer,” each of those teams receives 4 points for that answer.
• If a team has a unique answer that no other team has listed, they earn 1 point.
• The order in which items are listed under a category does not matter. Points are awarded for each individual correct match, not for matching the entire list.

The team with the most total points at the end wins the game!

This game is fun for both kids and adults and is perfect for playing outdoors on the lawn. If you have sufficient space indoors, it works well there as well.

To get started, set up a start line and a finish line. Each participant should have an orange (or you can have players race one at a time). It’s usually most entertaining to have everyone compete at the same time, though.

Players begin by lying on their stomachs or getting down on all fours. When the start signal sounds, the goal is to push the orange forward using only their nose. If a player accidentally touches the orange with some other part of their face, they receive a 5-second penalty. Touching the orange with any other body part results in a 10-second penalty. Using hands to touch the orange or kicking it results in immediate disqualification.

The first player to push their orange past the finish line wins!

Team Relay

This game can easily be transformed into a team competition by making it a relay race, where teammates take turns pushing their oranges down the course.

Twist

For an adult or student party, consider swapping out the oranges for something more unusual or quirky - something funny, gross, or whatever fits your crowd. Just make sure it can actually be rolled with the nose!

For this lively outdoor party game, you’ll need pancakes and frying pans. It’s perfect for both kids and adults.

The rules are simple but add a hilarious twist to a classic race. Each player must run to a designated turnaround point, such as a tree or a stick, and then return while carrying a frying pan and flipping a pancake three times during the race. If a pancake hits the ground, that flip doesn’t count, and the player must flip it again. It’s a good idea to have some extra pancakes on hand, just in case any get dropped or damaged during the race. (Of course, you can play with something other than pancakes.)

The first person to cross the finish line wins, and the chaotic flips and fumbles are almost as enjoyable to watch as they are to participate in!

Team Relay

If there are many participants, consider organizing a team relay version of the race. In this format, each runner completes their lap with their own pancake and then hands the frying pan to the next team member. The next runner takes the pan, adds their pancake, and races off while flipping it. This version is fast-paced, funny, and exciting!

This entertaining and straightforward party game is perfect for players of all ages. It’s quick to set up, easy to understand, and always gets people moving and engaging.

Provided each participant with a sheet of paper. Set a timer for 30 seconds and challenge everyone to fold a paper airplane as quickly as they can. It doesn’t have to be perfect - just ready to fly!

When time is up, participants take turns launching their planes from the same starting point. Each person gets two throws, and only their best distance counts. Planes can fly in any direction; the throw that goes the farthest away from the starting point wins the game.

This game works well both indoors and outdoors. If playing outdoors, the wind adds a fun (and chaotic) twist, allowing planes to soar much farther. For added excitement, players can launch from a raised platform, such as a hill, deck, or chair.

If playing indoors, you can increase the challenge by setting specific goals - for example, the plane must fly through a doorway, land on a rug, or hit a particular object, such as a couch or wall target. The player whose plane flies the farthest or meets the goal wins!

This is a fun and slightly chaotic team game involving water - and yes, there’s a good chance you’ll get wet!

Each team lines up in a single file. The first person in line starts with a bucket filled to the brim with water. The goal is to pass the bucket down the line through several rounds, each with a different (and trickier) rule. The team that has the most water left in their bucket at the end of all rounds wins the game.

Round Instructions:

• Round 1 – Pass the bucket using both hands.
• Round 2 – Pass the bucket using only your non-dominant hand.
• Round 3 – Pass the bucket over your head to the next person.
• Round 4 – Pass the bucket behind your back.
• Round 5 – Pass the bucket between your legs.

The first round begins with the person at the front of the line and ends with the person at the back. In the next round, the bucket will travel back from the last person to the first person. This process will continue, alternating directions, with different instructions for each round.

Try not to spill - every drop counts!

This hilarious and slightly ridiculous party game is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, whether played solo or in teams. It’s great for mixed ages and works well both indoors and outdoors. Best of all, it’s just as entertaining to watch as it is to play, making it the perfect addition to your party lineup.

To play, each player ties a piece of string around a pen and fastens the other end around their waist, allowing the pen to dangle behind them like a tail. Place an empty bottle on the ground about 10 yards (or 3 meters) away from each player.

When the start signal is given, players race to their bottles and attempt to lower the pen into the bottle without using their hands - only by squatting, adjusting, and aiming with their hips.

The first player to get the pen into their bottle wins!

Relay Version

Set up one bottle per team and have the first player complete the pen-drop challenge. Once successful, they run back and hand the setup to the next player, who ties it around their waist and repeats the challenge. The team that gets all their players to land the pen in the bottle first wins.

Tampon Version

For a fun twist (often popular at student or adult parties), swap the pen for a tampon and fill each bottle halfway with water. When the tampon hits the water, it begins to swell and gets stuck inside the bottle.

Here’s the twist: once the tampon is in the bottle, the player must race back to the starting line, hands-free with the bottle dangling behind them! If the bottle falls off, they are out of the game, so be careful.

Pennant Banner Toss is a fun and versatile game that can be played both indoors and outdoors (just be sure to avoid strong winds).

First, hang up a pennant banner and number each triangle flag. For added excitement, mark some of the numbers with a minus sign to indicate negative points.

Players take turns tossing balls at the pennant banner, aiming to hit the numbered flags on it. Each successful hit earns the player points based on the number shown on the flag, but if they hit a flag marked with a negative number, those points are deducted. Each player gets five tosses per round.

For younger players, move the throwing line closer to the banner to make it easier for them. You can use any balls you have on hand, like tennis balls, or get creative with safe household items like rolled-up socks or lightweight toys.

To increase the difficulty, hang the pennant banner so that it swings freely, making it harder to hit the targets. For an easier version, especially suitable for kids’ parties, secure the banner flat against a wall.

Hosting a pentathlon is a fantastic way to liven up any summer party! The idea is simple: players compete in five different mini-games, and the person who earns the most points across all events is crowned the pentathlon champion.

The events don’t need to be complicated - just a mix of fun, quick challenges where participants can score points.

A key part of running a successful pentathlon is making sure the scoring is balanced. No single event should allow someone to earn a disproportionately large number of points. For example, suppose players can score 50 points for landing three bullseyes in one game but only 5 points at most in another. In that case, the competition won’t feel fair. Try to keep point values consistent across events to maintain excitement and balance.

Ensure the winner of the pentathlon receives a final prize. If both children and adults participate, hold separate prize ceremonies for each group.

Examples of Pentathlon Events

Horseshoe Toss

Each player gets a set number of horseshoes to throw at a stake. The goal is to get the horseshoe to encircle the stake. You can award points based on how close they get.

Dart Throwing

Players throw darts at a dartboard or at water balloons pinned to a wall. Award points for each hit or based on accuracy (bullseye = more points).

Bucket Toss

Set up buckets on the ground or hang them at different heights. Players throw tennis balls and earn points depending on which bucket they land the ball in - more challenging targets can be worth more points.

Can Knockdown

Stack tin cans (filled with sand or gravel for weight) in a pyramid (three on the bottom, two in the middle, and one on top). Players throw tennis balls to knock over as many cans as possible. Score based on the number of cans toppled.

Football Bowling

Place some water-filled plastic bottles at different distances and have people try to knock them over using a football. Let the participants throw tennis balls and try to topple as many cans as possible.

If you don’t want to use traditional games for your pentathlon events but instead try something different you can follow these links for our collections of more modern games. There are games that go well with individual competitions and team competitions.

Here is a party game that requires no preparation, just a group of guests divided into at least two teams (the more teams, the more fun it is).

To start, have everyone remove their shoes and place them all together in a big pile. When the signal is given, teams race to the pile to find and put on their own shoes. Remember, shoes cannot be thrown or tossed while searching! The first team to successfully find and wear all their shoes wins.

This game works great both indoors and outdoors. Whether at kids' birthday parties or adult gatherings, it’s a quick, lively team challenge that won’t take up too much time to perform.

Non-Dominant Hand Twist

Each participant is only allowed to use their non-dominant hand, and they cannot use any hands when trying to put on their own shoes. However, team members can assist each other using their non-dominant hands.

This is a fun and playful game where players compete individually, making it perfect for both kids and adults!

To start, each contestant stands behind a designated line, holding one end of a long string, yarn, or rope. Tied to the other end is an object of your choice. This could be anything from a playful banana or doll to something larger and sillier, like a chair, carpet, tent, or even a sleeping bag. Each participant gets their own item, allowing you to adjust the difficulty for adults and make it easier for young children. Feel free to get creative and add to the entertainment!

When the game begins, players must pull their objects toward themselves without moving their feet. The goal is to be the first to draw your object past the starting line to claim victory!

The sack race is a classic game that has remained a favorite for generations. It is popular at children’s parties but also provides great enjoyment for adult participants, ensuring entertainment for spectators as well!

Whether you’re hosting a garden party, a student gathering, or a family event, the sack race is a fantastic way to get everyone moving. It works well both as an individual race or as a relay team challenge.

Each participant steps into a sack, pulling it up to their waist. When the start signal sounds, players hop from the starting line to the finish line, trying to be the first to cross the finish line.

You can make the race more exciting by adding obstacles around the track or having participants hop to a certain point and back.

In a team relay, once a player completes their leg of the race, they pass the sack to the next teammate, who continues the hopping race. Get ready for lots of laughs, friendly competition, and a bit of bouncing chaos!

Looking for a fun and clever activity for your summer party, family gathering, or workplace event? This creative word game challenges participants to think fast and come up with answers that match a variety of seasonal categories.

The game requires a bit of preparation, as you’ll need to come up with a few suitable, for example, summer-themed categories. Choose 4–6 different themes, then challenge participants to come up with answers that fit each category.

Here are a few examples that could be used as summer-related categories:

• Flowers that can be found during the summer
• Something found at a campsite
• Potential hazards in the garden
• Summer-themed food

One point is awarded for each correct or acceptable answer. The person or team with the most points at the end wins.

To make it more challenging, and this version tends to be the most fun, you can assign a letter to each column. For example, use the letters of the person’s name being celebrated, or if you have a summer theme, you could use “SAND” or “SWIM” as your letter key. Now, participants must come up with answers that match each category and start with the letters S, A, N, and D.

Answers can be a single word or a short phrase. If you’re playing the more difficult version, allow extra thinking time. The game can be played individually or in small teams of 2 to 3 people. To make the game more kid-friendly, you can skip the letter constraint and let players write any answers that fit the categories.

You can create categories that fit your gathering. For example, suppose it’s a birthday party or another celebration. In that case, you can focus on the person being honored with categories such as:

• Places you are likely to find (Name)
• Words (Name) often uses
• Items associated with (Name)

Plan a fun and energetic scavenger hunt that will send your guests on a mission to search for and collect items! This game is perfect for teams of mixed ages. It works well in various locations, whether in your garden, around the neighborhood, or out in the woods, as long as there is enough space to explore.

Start by dividing your guests into teams and giving each team a list of items to find. Prepare the list in advance with a mix of easy and harder-to-find objects. To make things interesting, assign point values to each item based on how difficult it is to locate; the harder it is to find, the more points it’s worth.

Set a time limit (10 minutes usually works well), and send everyone off on their hunt. When time is up, tally the points for each team based on what they’ve collected. The team with the highest total wins!

For an older crowd, such as teenagers or adults, you can get creative with more unusual or artistic items on the list.

Alternate Version: One-at-a-Time Hunt

Want to mix it up? Play the game in rounds. Announce one object at a time for teams to find. The first team to return with the correct item wins the round and scores 1 point. Then, announce the following item and repeat. Keep going until you’ve gone through your list, and the team with the most points at the end takes the victory.

Examples of Items & Points

• A leaf – 1 point
• A yellow flower – 2 points
• Something you can eat – 3 points
• A white stone – 4 points
• A feather – 5 points

This is a fun outdoor game that’s perfect for a lawn, park, or field day event, making it an excellent activity for kids' birthday parties as well!

To prepare, fill several plastic bottles with water to give them weight, then place them at a suitable distance from the kicking line. Arrange the bottles in any formation you like.

Players take turns kicking the soccer ball toward the bottles. Each player gets three attempts. Do not reset the bottles between kicks - only between players. The objective is to knock over as many bottles as possible.

Players earn 1 point for each bottle knocked over. The player with the highest total after everyone has had their turn wins!

Get ready for a fast-paced outdoor candy hunt that’s fun for both kids and adults! This game is perfect for playing in a garden or park with plenty of trees, bushes, or hiding spots for treats. The kids will love it, but don’t be surprised if the adults become just as competitive!

To prepare for the game, hang lots of spaghetti string candy all around the area. Drape it from tree branches, tuck it into bushes, or hang it from anything that sticks out. The key is to have plenty of candy and to place it where it’s easy to grab while running.

When the game starts, all players race to collect as much candy as they can. The round ends when there’s no candy left to find. The winner is the player who collects the most spaghetti string candy, but everyone gets to keep what they’ve gathered!

This is a fun and easy-to-play summer-themed game, perfect for garden parties or casual get-togethers. Divide the players into teams and explain the rules.

Each team will have 3 minutes to write down as many songs as they can that include the word “Summer” (either in the song title or in the lyrics). The team with the most valid songs at the end of the time wins!

For an extra touch of fun, consider creating a playlist from the songs your teams come up with and play it as a soundtrack during your summer party.

This fun and silly game is an eating competition with one key rule: no hands allowed! Players must eat treats that are hanging from strings using only their mouths. The player who eats the most in one minute wins! You can play simultaneously or take turns.

It’s ideal for outdoor activities at children’s parties, Halloween festivities, or summer get-togethers (and it can also be modified for indoor use).

To set up the game, cut smaller lengths of string and tie your treats to the ends. Then, attach the smaller strings to a single longer string, spacing them evenly apart. Stretch the long string across your play area (for example, between two trees, poles, or sturdy hooks). If you’re playing indoors, make sure the string is securely attached to a stable object that won’t tip over when the candy chaos begins.

Choose treats that are fun to eat and safe to dangle. Ring-shaped candies or sweets with holes (like donuts or gummy rings) are easy to hang. Marshmallows are also a favorite.

Tip: Choose treat sizes appropriate for your players. Use smaller sweets for young children and larger snacks for teenagers and adults. The aim is to keep it enjoyable and achievable, not overwhelming!

Challenging Grown-up Version

While you can play the sweeter version of the game mentioned above, you can also increase the challenge by involving hanging food that is silly, unexpected, spicy, or difficult to eat due to its shape.

The 3-Minute Walk is an enjoyable and straightforward outdoor game that requires minimal setup. To start, choose a walking route; this could be around your house, circling a tree, walking around the neighborhood, or any path that suits your space. Once the route is determined, explain it clearly to all participants.

When the game begins, everyone must walk the entire course without stopping. The challenge is to complete the route in precisely three minutes. No pausing or standing still is allowed; however, participants can move at a slower pace and adjust their speed as needed.

The winner is the person who finishes the route closest to the three-minute mark. To make judging easier, consider recording the walk on your phone. This way, you can review the footage and accurately determine who came closest to the target time.

This fun and active game is a guaranteed hit with kids, and it’s just as entertaining when you challenge teens or adults to give it a try!

To set it up, start by creating a pair of “toilet roll glasses” using the two full-length toilet paper tubes. Please don’t cut them shorter; keeping their length is essential for the visual effect. Use rubber bands, tape, or anything you have at home to secure the rolls together side by side. Then attach a piece of yarn or string to the back so the glasses can be tied around players' heads and adjusted for size.

Next, set up a slalom course by lining up several objects in a row. Plastic bottles partially filled with water work great for this; they’re stable but still tip over easily. Be sure to leave enough space between them for a soccer ball to pass through.

Now it’s game time! One at a time, players put on the toilet roll glasses, which will tunnel and limit their vision. Starting at the beginning of the course, they must dribble the soccer ball using only their feet, weaving it through the slalom without knocking over the obstacles.

Each tipped bottle adds 15 seconds to the player’s total time. The clock stops once they cross the finish line. The winner is the player who completes the course with the fastest adjusted time.

Unroll the Toilet Paper is a quick and fun game that’s perfect for kids’ birthday parties or student gatherings.

To play, each participant receives a roll of toilet paper. At the starting signal, everyone begins unrolling their roll as quickly as possible. Once a player has completely unrolled their paper, they must shout, “I’m done!” through the cardboard tube.

The first person to finish unrolling their paper and shout the phrase wins the game.

If you’d like to organize a calm and fun outdoor parlor game, here’s a simple idea: create a classic word unscramble using words related to the outdoors. If you’re in a garden or a park, take a look around the area beforehand and prepare a list of words that are either found there or associated with the location.

Choose 8 to 12 words and scramble the letters of each one. You can print them out or write them down on paper, then distribute them to all participants. Let everyone try to guess the original words. You might include names of plants, street names, names of participants, or other objects and features you see in the area.

If you have a large group, this game works exceptionally well, ideally with at least five people per team. It’s perfect for children’s parties, student gatherings, or any event where most participants are comfortable with a bit of physical contact.

Here’s how it works:

Each team selects a leader who stands with their back to the rest of the team. When the signal is given, teammates “tangle” themselves together by forming a pile on the ground or grass, weaving their arms and legs into a chaotic knot.

When the stop signal sounds, everyone must freeze in place. The leader then turns around and begins directing the team using specific verbal commands, such as “Alicia, lift your right arm.” General commands such as “untangle yourselves” are not allowed.

The first team to get all its members standing up without touching anyone else wins.

This fun outdoor game goes by many names: Welly Boot Throwing, Welly Hoying, or simply Boot Throwing.

It’s a great activity for family gatherings, garden parties, or as part of a pentathlon event. Since it requires a lot of space, it’s best played outside on a lawn, in a garden, or on an open field.

The goal is simple - throw the boot as far as possible! This can be done in various ways.

Version 1 – Easy

Participants can throw the boot in any way they choose. Running to gain more force for the throw is allowed as long as they do not cross the starting point.

Version 2 – Challenging

In this more challenging task, players must stand with their backs facing the direction of the throw. They then swing the boot over their heads and throw it as far as they can without stepping forward.

Version 3 – Very Challenging

In this advanced version, players face forward in the designated direction. To toss the boot, they must first swing it backward between their legs. Then, they bring it over their heads and release it at just the right moment to ensure the boot flies in the intended direction. Timing and technique are crucial for maximizing distance.

Pro tip: To ensure safety and add some fun, consider providing helmets. This version can sometimes result in accidental head hits. Get ready for laughter, competition, and some truly impressive boot throws!