Outdoor party games for kids and adults 2

Believe it or not, even die-hard fans of board games sometimes need to head outside, stretch their stiff backs, and get a taste of that legendary fresh air. In our first article on outdoor party games, we introduced several games to get you out of your stuffy gaming den. And now, we're keeping the momentum going!

So, clear a bit of flat ground, get your kids, family, or friends outside, warm up, and let the games begin!

Cornhole Original

Cornhole is a super simple game that involves tossing bean bags (originally filled with corn) at a target. Each player has their own board. You stand opposite each other and throw. The ideal distance between players is 8 meters, or 5 meters for younger players (official distance is 8.23 m, juniors 6.4 m). You play in rounds, with 4 bags thrown per round. You get 3 points for landing a bag in the hole and 1 point if the bag stays on the board. Anything that lands off the board doesn't count. The first to reach 21 points wins.

Cornhole is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn game that is currently one of the most popular garden games in the USA. It has quickly caught on here too, and there are already many clubs organizing official tournaments.

Riddarspelet (Knight's Game)

Hra rytířů is a game from Sweden designed for two players or two teams. Its big advantage is that, besides simple throwing, it offers plenty of room for tactical play.

At the start, find a nice, ideally grassy, area measuring 4 x 6 m (it can be smaller if playing with kids). Create 3 triangles in this arena using the flags and tapes included in the box. Each player or team gets 6 balls, 2 wooden knight "figures," and 1 queen. The starting team tries to throw their balls from one edge of the arena into the triangles. The second team does the same, but they can also knock the opponent's balls out of the triangles.

In the second phase, players use the balls that remained in the triangles to try and knock down the opponent's figures. You must hit the knights first, and the queen last. Easy, fast, and fun.

Stick on line

This next Swedish game has a name that perfectly describes its essence – throwing sticks at a line. You create the line by stretching a rope between two pegs. Players choose a reasonable distance from the line and take turns throwing. The goal is to land the stick so it lies across the line. The stick has points marked on it; the center is worth the most, the edges less.

You score based on where the stick crosses the line. The first to reach 300 points wins. Very simple and accessible. Anyone who can throw a stick without poking an eye out can play Stick on line. :)

Garden Tower (Jenga, Tumble Tower)

Zahradní věž is a classic you can enjoy anywhere, not just outside. First, build a regular tower using 48 wooden blocks. Players then take turns pulling blocks from the bottom of the tower with one hand and placing them back on top. It’s all about dexterity, patience, and nerves. If the tower falls while you're moving a block, you lose. If a player has no free blocks left to pull and place on top, they win. In practice, however, the game usually ends with a crash.

The tower has quickly become popular even among players who wouldn't normally touch board games. There are many variations, sizes, materials, and shapes of the base blocks. Our Jenga is made of high-quality hardwood, and its size makes it better suited for outdoors than a table. You can invent your own house rules. Why not try playing blindfolded? Or take a sip of your favorite drink after successfully placing a block? Did someone say strip Jenga? :)

Outdoor Mikado

Parents probably don't need an introduction to the simple game of Mikádo. Younger generations, however, might not know it. The principle is simple – scatter a pile of sticks on the flattest surface possible, and players take turns pulling sticks from the pile. You pull one stick at a time. If you move any other stick in the process, you get nothing and lose your turn.

Mikádo can be played on a table, but this is a slightly larger version suitable for outdoor play, in the garden, or at the park. The sticks have different colors; you can assign point values to each color, and the person with the most points wins.

author Karel Krajča

Outdoor party games for kids and adults