Top 8 Outdoor Games for Families in San Diego, CA and Nationwide

Exciting Outdoor Family Games Presented by Hauser’s Patio

When the weather is beautiful, the kids are restless, and you’ve been spending too much time indoors, it’s time to make the most of your Hauser’s Patio with these eight outdoor games for families! Outdoor games are the perfect opportunity to break free from your gadgets and make countless unforgettable memories with your family. We’re here to inspire you with a collection of eight thrilling outdoor family games that are bound to keep your afternoons and weekends filled with laughter, friendly competition, and connection.

Ladder Toss: Aim High for Family Fun

When it comes to outdoor games for families, few can match the charm and excitement of ladder toss. Also known as ladder golf, this addictive and easy-to-learn game has become a staple at backyard gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. Now, with our outdoor heating options, this outdoor family game can be played year-round!

While ladder toss is easy to pick up, it also offers room for skill development and strategy. Players quickly learn to adjust their throwing technique, taking into account the distance, wind conditions, and the ever-elusive skill of landing a bola on the coveted three-point rung. Unleash your family’s competitive spirit with Ladder Toss today. It’s a perfect blend of strategy, skill, and just a dash of luck.

How to Play:

1. Set up the ladder-like structure with three horizontal rungs at a suitable distance.
2. Divide into two teams and stand at a throwing line.
3. Teams throw bolas in an attempt to hang them on the steps of the ladder. Assign points based on which rung the bolas land on.
4. Each rung holds different points. The top is worth 3 points, the middle rung 2 points, and the bottom rung just 1 point.
5. The first team to achieve exactly 21 points is the winner. Watch out, though, if you go over 21, you’re bumped down to 13, so precision is key!

Water Balloon Battle

When the temperature rises, cool off with a game of water balloon dodgeball. This refreshing twist on a classic game adds an element of surprise and laughter as players dodge and throw water balloons. Adding an exhilarating twist to a childhood favorite, Water Balloon Dodgeball brings forth the child in each one of us while offering much-needed relief from the heat. It’s the perfect way to beat the heat while creating unforgettable family memories. So, gear up, stay agile, and let the water balloon battle begin!

How to Play:

1. Fill a bucket with water balloons and place it in the center of the playing area.
2. Divide into two teams and designate a throwing line for each team.
3. On the signal, players race to grab a water balloon, run to the throwing line, and toss it at the opposing team.
4. The objective is to get as many players from the other team wet as possible.
5. The team with the driest players at the end of the game wins!

Badminton: A Shuttlecock Soiree

What better way to inspire some family competition than a classic game of Badminton? Fast, exciting, and easy to set up, it’s one of the perfect outdoor games for families. It’s one of the most flexible games in terms of the player count. A good badminton set allows for a high-spirited one-on-one match or a competitive team face-off. Whether you want a full-fledged tournament or to play a friendly game, Badminton will keep you on your toes with a mix of agility, strategy, and speed. It’s an exciting way to bond with your loved ones and, of course, burn some calories too!

How to Play:

1. Set up the badminton net in your backyard, ensuring proper tension.
2. Divide into two teams or play one-on-one matches.
3. Each team tries to send the shuttlecock (birdie) to the opposing side without it being returned. So, gear up for some leaps, dives, and smashes.
4. Points are awarded when the shuttlecock lands on the opponent’s side of the court.
5. The first team or player to reach the agreed-upon score wins the game!

Giant Jenga: Building Up the Fun

Take the classic Jenga game to new heights – literally! Giant Jenga is an excellent outdoor game for families that combines strategy and precision. This oversized version of the indoor game involves 54 precision-crafted, polished hardwood blocks, typically around 15 times bigger than their indoor counterparts. The tower’s height can easily exceed five feet, so be ready for gasps of excitement and anticipation.

Simply stack the oversized wooden blocks as high as you can and take turns pulling them out without toppling the tower. It’s an outdoor family game that keeps everyone on their toes and encourages friendly competition. Can you remove the block without toppling the tower? There’s only one way to find out!

How to Play:

1. Arrange the giant Jenga blocks in a sturdy tower formation, stacking the blocks three to a layer, alternating directions with each layer.
2. Players take turns removing one block at a time from any level of the tower and then placing it on the topmost layer. Be careful, as one wrong move will bring the entire tower crashing down.
3. The goal is to keep the tower standing while creating a precarious masterpiece.
4. The game continues until someone topples the tower.
5. The winner is the last player to successfully remove a block without causing a collapse.

Capture the Flag: Unleashing Strategic Family Fun

Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Capture the Flag, a game that transcends generations. This outdoor adventure combines strategy, teamwork, and a dash of stealth as players attempt to capture the opposing team’s flag. It’s time to turn your backyard into a battlefield of family fun!

How to Play:

1. Divide into two teams and establish a boundary line in your backyard.
2. Each team hides their flag within their territory. Hide it in plain sight but in a hard-to-reach place on top of your outdoor umbrella. Or try to disguise it among cushions and upholstery. Whatever strategy you choose, make sure it’s not easily accessible.
3. The objective is to enter the opponent’s territory, locate their flag, and return it to your team’s home base without being tagged.
4. Players tagged by opponents must go to “jail” until a teammate rescues them.
5. The first team to successfully capture the opponent’s flag and return it to their base wins the game.

Bocce Ball: Rolling into Family Tradition

A game with roots dating back to the Roman Empire, this leisurely game has seen a recent surge in popularity, especially as a choice for outdoor games for families. In essence, the game consists of throwing bocce balls to get as close as possible to a smaller ball called the ‘jack’ or ‘pallino.’ The surface doesn’t have to be manicured lawn – an outdoor patio, or even a rough patch of dirt, adds interesting variables to the game. This is an Italian game with simple rules, yet it requires a high degree of strategy and teamwork. With minimal equipment needed, this classic game makes an exciting addition to any family’s list of backyard games. Bocce Ball offers simple yet strategic gameplay, suitable for both young children and their grandparents.

How to Play:

1. Divide into two teams, each with four bocce balls of the same color.
2. Toss the smaller “pallino” (target ball) onto the playing area.
3. Teams take turns rolling their bocce balls, aiming to get as close to the pallino as possible.
4. Score points based on the proximity of each ball to the pallino.
5. The team with the highest score at the end of the game is the Bocce Ball champion!

Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe

Take a timeless classic, combine it with a modern favorite, and we get Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe. You are all set for hours of amusement with just some tape and a couple of frisbees. Combine the thrill of Frisbee throwing with the strategy of Tic-Tac-Toe, creating a unique experience for players of all ages. Every player waits with bated breath as the frisbees whizz through the air to land in squares. This creative mash-up of classic games makes family time more fun.

How to Play:

1. Use chalk, tape, or other markers to Create a Tic-Tac-Toe grid on a flat surface.
2. Divide into two teams and designate a Frisbee color for each team.
3. Players take turns tossing their Frisbees, aiming to land them in a square on the grid.
4. To win, The goal is to get three Frisbees in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
5. It’s a fast-paced game that encourages strategic thinking and accurate tossing. The first team to achieve a Tic-Tac-Toe is the winner!

Classic Cornhole: A Timeless Favorite

Ah, cornhole, a game that takes hold of the summer season, bringing together families, friends, and coworkers.No list of outdoor family games is complete without cornhole. This simple yet addictive game involves tossing bean bags through a hole in an inclined board. Set up the boards in your backyard, divide them into teams, and let the bean bag battles begin. Cornhole is perfect for all ages, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings.

You can personalize this game with the opportunity to select the color pattern or even have a specific image or logo printed on them. This can be a fun way to showcase your favorite sports team, company logo, family name, or any other design that suits your personal style.

How to Play:

1. Set up the Cornhole boards, raised platforms with a hole in the far end, about 27 feet apart from each other.
2. Divide into two teams and position yourselves behind your boards.
3. Each team takes turns throwing bags of corn (or bean bags), aiming to score points by landing them on the board or through the hole. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the board scores 1 point.
4. Cancel out the opposing team’s points by landing your bags in the same spot.
5. The team with the most points at the end of the game emerges as the Cornhole champions!

Transform Your Outdoor Space With Hauser’s Patio

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a cozy patio, Hauser’s Patio presents a guide to outdoor games for families specifically designed to bring the whole family together. In the age of screens and digital distractions, the significance of quality time cannot be overstated. What better way to bond and create lasting memories than by engaging in outdoor games that are fun for all ages? From classics that stand the test of time to modern twists on familiar favorites, contact us to help you transform your outdoor space into a hub of laughter, competition, and family fun! So, grab your Hauser’s Patio furniture, head outdoors, and let the games begin.