The 10 Best Outdoor Games of 2021

Best Overall: Cornhole Ladderball Combo

Buy on Home Depot

This well-made and surprisingly sturdy set garners its status as the best overall outdoor game because it’ll provide both adults and kids endless hours of fun. Not only do you get two games in one, but the tables can set up to be standard tables, perfect for crafts or other activities when the games are done.

The combo comes with everything you need, including eight bean bags, six ball toss sets, two table plugs, and two accessory bags to store everything.

Best Active: Spikeball

Buy on Dick's Buy on Spikeball.com Buy on Target

An innovative cross between four-square and volleyball, this active game requires four players. You’ll play two versus two, so you'll want to make sure you have a crowd that can accommodate that setup, although it is possible to play with six players.

Like volleyball, the ball gets served and then returned and must bounce off the net one time. The kit comes with everything you need to play and the easy set up is perfect for grass or a sandy beach.

Best Budget: Crayola Sidewalk Chalk

Buy on Staples

Never discount the fun that a giant set of sidewalk chalk will bring to the whole family. From sidewalk or driveway decoration, hopscotch, tic-tac-toe, coloring, and more, sidewalk chalk is an inexpensive and easy way for kids (and adults) to have fun outside. The washable chalk set comes in 48 bright colors, so there is plenty for everyone. The chalk can be safely used by kids ages 4 and up.

Best for Young Kids: Camo Chameleon Bean Bag Toss

Buy on Melissaanddoug.com

Kids ages 4 to 10 will love this double-sided bean bag game that can be played horizontally or vertically by one or two players. Kids aim the numbered bean bags into the corresponding pouches (or just toss them into any pouch).

Without knowing it, they’ll be working on hand-eye coordination, counting, and number recognition, all while having fun. The polyester fabric has a sturdy metal base, so it’s made for indoor or outdoor fun.

Best Portable: Hey! Play! Jumbo Pickup Sticks

Buy on Wayfair

Super-size the classic game of pickup sticks with this jumbo set. Lightweight and easy to tote anywhere, this game can be played by people of any age and ability with no limit to the number of players—but it's best for kids ages 5 and up.

Kids will enhance their strategy and hand-eye coordination skills, all while having fun. The 25 jumbo sticks are made of solid wood and pack up neatly in their own carrying tote bag. Leave this set in the car trunk and you’ll be ready for fun at any stop.

Best for Siblings: Buddy Bumper Balls

Buy on Hearthsong.com Buy on Target

It’ll be hard to tell who is having the most fun with these ridiculous, inflatable, wearable balls: the kids wearing them or the adults watching. Kids will bounce, bump, and roll against each other, all while wearing the inflatable suits.

In the ball, kids will build strength, balance, and have a blast. Each ball is recommended for up to 200 pounds, and adult supervision is suggested. The toy is best suited for kids ages 6 and up.

Best for Large Families: Croquet

Buy on Walmart Buy on Dick's

Gather all members of your family and get ready for an afternoon of fun and refinement with a game of croquet. This intermediate set includes all your group needs to play: six wooden mallets, six matching colored balls, two colorful wooden stages, nine steel wickets, and a carrying bag to pack it all up. Set up your game and get ready for fun!

Best for all Ages: Flickin Chicken

Buy on Walmart Buy on Barnesandnoble.com

A silly yard game that combines bocce, mini golf, and flying chickens for loads of family fun. Great for families and played with two to four players, start by tossing the target. Then players take turns flickin’ their chicken at the target, aiming to get as close as possible.

These chickens bounce and roll, so it’s harder than it sounds. The player with the highest score after nine rounds of throwing chickens wins the game.

Best for Adults: Bottle Bash

Buy on Dick's

Add frisbee golf plus horseshoes, throw in a few twists, and you’ve got Bottle Bash. The goal of this game is to knock your opponent's bottle off the pole by throwing your disc. It’s fun to play in a bigger backyard, the beach, or at the park.

The game comes with everything you need—including two aluminum poles, two bottles, two ground stakes, and one disc—and everything fits into the mesh storage bag. Two or four players are needed, and while kids can play, penalties are given for dropping and misthrows, so they may not make the best teammates.