The 5 Best Yard Games 2023 Review

Top 5 Yard Games

Best Classic Game: GoSports Cornhole Set Best High-Energy Game: Spikeball Spikeball Pro Kit Best For Kids: Giggle N Go Limbo Best Combination Game: Franklin Sports Outdoor Game Combo Set Best Suspenseful Game: Yard Games Giant Tumbling Timbers

Best Classic Game: GoSports Cornhole Set

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with weatherproof bean bags✔ Takes seconds to set up✔ Has American flag boards and red and blue bags ✘ Can’t get the boards wet✘ Not as portable as other yard games

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers who left positive reviews found this cornhole set to be easy to set up and start using in minutes. However, unhappy customers wished that the cornhole boards were made from real, water-resistant wood.

Best High-Energy Game: Spikeball Spikeball Pro Kit

Pros and Cons

✔ Works with the Spikeball app to find players in your area✔ Includes a ball pump✔ Can take apart the net to carry it in the included storage bag ✘ May be complicated for new players to learn✘ Costs a lot for one game

What Customers Are Saying

Customers found this Spikeball set to be durable and sturdy, making it worth the extra cost over the regular Spikeball set. The slip-resistant legs were also highlighted in several reviews, which users appreciated when they played on hard surfaces. However, some customers found that the included balls didn’t bounce enough.

Best For Kids: Giggle N Go Limbo

Pros and Cons

✔ Doesn’t have a player limit✔ Can play it with children and adults of all ages✔ Comes with clamps to hold the sides of the pole as you lower it ✘ Has small pieces that could be misplaced✘ May fall over with heavy wind

What Customers Are Saying

Users liked that this limbo set was suitable for people of all ages. It was also easy to set up and adjust for the majority of users. However, some unhappy customers found that the poles blew over easily in the wind.

Best Combination Game: Franklin Sports Outdoor Game Combo Set

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a glowing disc to play frisbee in the dark✔ Includes stakes to keep the course secure in the wind✔ Designed for those who are 6 years old and up ✘ Made with inexpensive plastic✘ Can only play with two people for most of the games

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers found that this multi-game set met their quality and durability expectations. They included that it was ideal for non-professional use, particularly for children. Alternatively, some users were dissatisfied with the build quality of some of the items, reporting that certain plastic pieces broke.

Best Suspenseful Game: Yard Games Giant Tumbling Timbers

Pros and Cons

✔ Made from sustainably sourced pinewood✔ Comes in other sets with smaller, colored blocks✔ Can play with two to six people ✘ Weighs close to 30 pounds when all of the blocks are in the included carrying case✘ Makes a lot of noise when the tower collapses

What Customers Are Saying

Many users thought that these giant Jenga blocks stacked evenly because of their sanded surface. However, there were some complaints about the included nylon bag, which tore for a few customers.

Buyer’s Guide

The best lawn games for your yard are the ones that tie into the interests of you and your family. However, we’ve identified some other criteria to keep in mind as you’re shopping around. Learn more about these factors below.

Space

Yard games require a certain amount of space to play. Consider the size of your yard before you purchase your desired lawn game. Cramped space may limit the gameplay, which could be unfair for certain players.

Gameplay

Gameplay ranges from casual to intense. For example, while cornhole and tumbling towers tend to be a relaxed match for the whole family, Spikeball and volleyball offer high-energy gameplay where players must constantly focus on the moving ball.

Number of Players

Many yard games can accommodate two to four players, though 6-, 8-, 10-, and unlimited-player games also exist. If you choose a game that’s only designed for two players, you may be able to partner up and create teams of two, allowing more people to play at one time.

Durability

Inexpensive yard games may only last a handful of uses, especially if they’re left outside. Premium sets that use more durable materials, such as metal rather than plastic, tend to last longer.

Weatherproofing

While you should store your yard games inside when they’re not in use, many games are made with weather-resistant materials or finishes to survive being accidentally left outside in the rain, sun, or snow.

Surface

A non-sloping lawn often suffices as a suitable surface to play many yard games. Horseshoes are usually played using sandpits, but rubber horseshoes allow you to play on grass or dirt. If a particular yard game requires you to modify the landscaping of your outdoor living space, you may want to reconsider purchasing it.

Portability

Do you want to take your yard game to a local park or a friend’s house? Some yard games are easier to transport than others. Many come with a carrying case and are fairly lightweight, but some, such as cornhole, have bulky components that are awkward to load into your vehicle.

Visibility

Most lawn games are designed to be played when it’s light out, but some games have glow-in-the-dark components so users can play after the sun goes down.

How To Enjoy the Outdoors

Although ready-to-play yard games are useful to have on hand for parties and other events, it’s also fun to get creative with your outdoor living space. Whether you’re playing with your kids or killing time, here are some interesting backyard game ideas to consider:

Similar to building a playscape or treehouse, you could also build a fort outside for your kids to play in. Take Scrabble or another board game outside, and play it on the grass. If you have a big backyard or long, narrow stretches of grass, consider building soccer goals out of spare PVC piping. Work with your kids to create a makeshift lemonade stand during a hot summer day. If you have a folding table, a poster board, a pen, cups, lemons, sugar, water, and ice, you can set up on the edge of the street to flag down traffic. Build a sandbox for your kids to play in to make it feel like they’re at the beach. Two baseball mitts and a baseball can entertain you and your kid for hours. Add a bat for hitting practice.

What is the most popular yard game?

Historically, two of the most popular yard games are badminton and croquet. In recent years, cornhole, or bag toss, has risen in popularity to become one of the easiest and most accessible yard games. Ladder toss is another popular yard game.

Are there any age limitations for yard games?

Unlike board games, most yard games don’t have age limitations since they don’t use small pieces that young children could choke on. However, some games that involve hand-eye coordination may have a minimum age requirement of 6 to 8 years.

What game is best for a large group?

The games that are best for a large group tend to be ones without a player limit. In this review, we recommend the Giggle N Go Limbo game because an unlimited number of people can participate.

How do I integrate yard games into my house party?

If you’re hosting an outdoor party during the summer, make sure your guests have plenty of cold drinks, snacks, and shade. A large porch or patio lends itself nicely to a grill, which is an ideal hangout space next to your lawn games.

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