25 Awesome Backyard Activities

Do you have plans for making this the best summer yet? Are you fantasizing about outdoor projects and play spaces for your kids and their friends? Then look no further. This list of awesome backyard ideas is full of ways to make our yards kid-favorite spots—no boredom allowed. Find inspiration for a simple treehouse, a backyard movie theatre, a flower pot fire pit, a climbing wall, kidlet rockers, a mud pie station, an outdoor music station, and a chalkboard. We also have giant-sized games like Jenga, Twister, Scrabble, Bananagrams, Ker-Plunk, Match Game, Cornhole, and Urban Horse Shoes.

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See Also:

• These outdoor games will keep everyone entertained
• Change up the boring breakfast routine with 27 Unique Muffin Recipes 
• Easy S’mores Muffin Recipe you can bake with your kids are lots of fun 

1. Backyard Movie Night

Grab your blanket and pillows and a big bowl of popcorn and head outside for an awesome backyard movie night. Hang some lights and lay out under the stars and watch your favorite movies in your own backyard. Set up a “concession stand” full of your favorite sweets and treats.

2. Build A Simple Treehouse

Grab some wood and supplies and build a simple treehouse in your backyard. Simple is key, but it will not lack imagination. Sail on a pirate ship or hang out and make it a clubhouse, or a castle, the possibilities are endless. It may take a few hours to build but the memories will last a lifetime.

3. Backyard Scrabble

Bring your favorite family board game outside with this backyard scrabble game. Set it up in your yard or patio and grab some friends and have a blast. With giant wood letter tiles set onto a life-size game board, it’s a perfect addition to your garden or yard.

4. Backyard Bananagrams

Keep your family having fun for hours with our DIY backyard Bananagrams. Made from large 12 x 12 hand-painted tiles, this backyard game can be played in your yard, your family’s yard, at the beach, at the park, or anywhere you want. It’s not only fun, but it also helps kids with spelling and learning new words. Talk about a win-win!

5. Backyard Twister

Twister is a classic game that everyone loves. Take the game up a notch with this backyard version. Create the colorful circles by using a cardboard stencil and some spray paint and grab the spinner from the actual game, or create a new one, to set this DIY game up for hours of play.

6. Backyard Ker-Plunk

Ker-Plunk is such a fun game that can be played by all ages. It’s not very physical and has very little skill needed to play which makes it perfect for families with young kids. Plus, it’s even simpler to create. The object is not to drop any balls or drop the least amount while pulling out the sticks.

7. Giant Matching Game

Who doesn’t love a great memory-matching game? Bring this classic game to life with this giant match game that is perfect for an afternoon of play. Simply paint simple icons or images onto large, painted corkboard tiles using a DIY stencil and you have your game pieces. Don’t forget to paint the backs of your cards as well.

8. Giant Backyard Jenga

Jenga is a perfect game to get the family together and have a great time. Plus, it’s so easy to make. Just grab some 2×4’s pieces of wood and cut to size, stack, and build. Make it your own by painting the ends in fun and bright colors. These giant Jenga games are perfect for picnics, BBQs, gatherings, and just because.

9. Obstacle Course Party

Create an outdoor obstacle course by using wood to create balance beams and pillows for added safety. Create fun games around the course like who can run the fastest or make it an adventure by crossing the “bridge”, let your imagination run wild and the possibilities will be endless.

10. Pool Noodle Backyard Games

Pool noodles don’t have to be just for the pool. There are literally tons of backyard games you can play using pool noodles. Create a ring by using an empty toilet paper roll tube, duct tape, and a pool noodle. Then use your ring as a ring toss, frisbee, catch, hide and seek, and anything else you can think of. They are perfect to use in the pool and in the backyard.

11. Water Blob Tutorial

Looking for a fun water activity for kids that doesn’t make a mess, or get you wet? This simple water blog blob tutorial can provide hours of fun without ruining your yard or soaking your clothes. Plus, it’s perfect for kids, and adults, of all ages. Made from only 2 items, plus water, it’s a perfect way to spend your summer or any season for that matter since no one actually gets wet. Jump on it, roll around, slide on it, and even use it to learn about waves and motion.

12. Giant Bubbles

Bubbles are a staple in kids’ summer activity kits. They are made simply from soap and water but keep kids busy for hours. Even older kids love playing with bubbles. Whether a small wand or a machine, bubbles create a fun time. But, what’s better than regular bubbles? How about giant bubbles? With a few extra ingredients and a DIY giant bubble “wand” made from wood dowels and a cotton cord, everyone will love making these giant bubbles.

13. Water Balloon Piñata

You’ve seen pinatas at birthday parties, but have you seen these water balloon pinatas??? Make it a fun game during the warmer months by testing out your piñata swinging skills by tying up water-filled balloons from a playground or other elevated space. Let kids take turns giving it their all. Instead of sweet treats and prizes, kids will get wet and soaked. Perfect for water playtime or just a fun way to cool off.

14. Supersized Outdoor Word Game

Oversized games make for great playtime because it gets people involved and lets them be active the entire game. This helps kids stay focused because they can get up and move around more often. This outdoor word game not only uses your mind to help spell words but it’s perfect for family game night.

15. DIY Cloth Picnic Games

Don’t you just love picnics? Whether you head to your local park or just set up in the backyard, picnics are tons of fun. These DIY cloth picnic games make for a great addition to your day. Use some scrap cloth or fabric and with some fabric paint, create a tic-tac-toe game and a square game. Use elements like toothpicks and flowers or small rocks for game pieces. They fold perfectly in your picnic basket for easy transportation and on the go.

16. Easy Backyard Splash Pad

Keep kids busy, and cool, this summer with a simple DIY backyard splash pad that is perfect for little ones. With a tarp, a premade sprinkler game, and a water hose, you can create a backyard splash pad to keep little ones busy and entertained this summer without worrying about the dangers of a pool.

17. Climbing Wall

Do you have a child that loves to climb and explore? Check out this DIY climbing wall that is perfect for your backyard. Just add some climbing handles to your fence or a blank wall, to allow them to climb and play outside in a safe environment. That way they won’t climb on your furniture anymore.

18. Kid’s Tire Rockers

Have some spare tires laying around that you’re not sure what to do with? Why not create this fun kids’ rocker for hours of fun in your own backyard? Just cut one tire in half (it’ll make two), paint it, and add a wood top. Let your kids decorate it to make it their own. What a fun craft project that you can do with your family.

19. Mud Pie Station

Kids love getting messy and playing in the mud. Create a mud pie station to keep that creativity flowing. You will need a big pot of dirt set under the table, water-filled cans nearby, and pots, pans, and bowls to help create the best mud pies around. Aprons are kept nearby to keep clothes, and clothes only, clean. This mud pie station is perfect for hands-on play.

20. Outdoor Music Station

Bring music outdoors with this outdoor music station. Perfect for learning and playing any time of year. It will also make a perfect addition to your yard or garden. Old or young, kids will love playing and creating great music.

21. Urban Horse Shoes

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to create fun backyard games for the family. This urban horseshoes game is made from washers and an empty can. The wooden box can be a great DIY project or simply get creative and find another great resource around the house. The object of the game…toss the washers into the can.

22. Backyard Cornhole Set

Bean bag toss games are so much fun. This backyard cornhole set is a great way to get family and friends together for some friendly competition. It’s such a simple game with simple rules that makes it a perfect game for everyone to play. It’s called corn hole because the bags were traditionally filled with corn and tossed into the hole. You can purchase pre-made bean bags from the store or online.

23. Outdoor Chalkboard

Chalk time is so much fun and outdoor chalk time is even better. But, in the summertime, the ground can get really hot and is not safe for kids to lie on to create chalk-filled masterpieces. Create an outdoor chalkboard on your fence to create a perfect space to draw, color, and chalk it up all day long. Just primer and paint a piece of plywood and attach it to your outdoor fence. So simple and easy.

24. Flower Pot Fire Pit

Backyards are perfect for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire. But, if you have kids, a large fire pit may be a bit scary and dangerous. So instead, grab a flower pot and create a flower pot fire pit that will set on top of a table with ease. Made with chafing fuel, river rocks, and a ceramic flower pot, this fire won’t break the bank and can provide lots of nighttime fun all summer long.

25. Fun Outdoor Games

Kids love outdoor time. In the age of technology, it is important to keep them engaged and entertained as much as possible while outside. Play games and activities as simple as ring toss or playing in the sand to a game of badminton to keep them active and moving, outdoor games are only limited by how far your imagination will take you.

Check out more great ideas for fun outdoor playtime ideas:

• 23 Outdoor Party Games
• 12 Kids Play Tent Ideas
• 20 Kid Approved Pumpkin Desserts
• 10 Healthy School Lunch Ideas
• Birthday Party Games

Plus, check out 27 Unique Muffin Recipes