Favorite Outdoor Yard Games to Make and Play this Summer

Need entertainment ideas for your outdoor gatherings or just to keep the kids busy? Play one of these DIY outdoor yard games that kids and grown-ups alike can appreciate.

Give one of these DIY outdoor yard games a go this summer!

The season for outdoor gatherings and entertaining is here. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor barbecue for a crowd, or you’ve want to keep the neighborhood kiddos entertained, these DIY outdoor yard games are a fabulous option to keep everyone active and entertained.

Your backyard doesn’t need to be huge either. There are plenty of DIY summer backyard games that are quite compact so they would work perfectly in a small yard as well.

From giant versions of classic games like tic-tac-toe and checkers to fun family games like a mini putt course and Jenga, the projects I’m sharing today offer plenty of options to choose from. Even better, they come with straightforward tutorials so you can enjoy crafting without any guesswork.

15 DIY Summer Outdoor Yard Games

1. DIY Giant Checkers Tutorial

The kids will be attracted to this timeless game even more when they see a giant checkers version has appeared in their yard. Dream A Little Bigger shares the details of this easy craft literally anyone can make.

2. Make A Sponge Ball For Awesome Summer Water Games

Sponge balls are so much fun to use for all sorts of water games, and this DIY version from Fun Loving Families is so easy to craft. Feel free to make as many as you want or need!

3. DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Set

Use rocks and an old cutting board to create a DIY Tic Tac Toe set. It’s such a wonderfully frugal idea. Creating Really Awesome Fun Things shows us how we can use paint and decoupage paper cutouts to make this set look great.

Painted stars and stripes wood round tic-tac-toe game on grass

If you’re looking for a patriotic craft this summer, look no further than this stars and stripes tic tac toe game that I made a few summers back.

4. How To Make An Easy Ladder Golf Set Using PVC

Ladder golf is a game the whole family will love, and there’s really no need to buy one. Heart Hook Home shows us how to make an inexpensive DIY ladder golf set from PVC, and the whole process doesn’t take more than an hour.

5. DIY Mini Putt Course

Your family, the kids, and your guests are going to enjoy playing this amazing DIY mini putt course from Jaime Costiglio. There are free plans and detailed instructions included for this basic build you can try even as a beginner woodworker.

6. DIY Giant Beer Pong Game Tutorial

Give your party an upgrade with a giant DIY beer pong game! Drug Store Divas used 12 5-gallon buckets to put this together quickly and I’m sure the kids will love playing it too (sans the drinking part, of course).

7. DIY Tenzi Outdoor Yard Dice Game

Tenzi is a cool dice game that can be played by multiple people and in various ways so they can offer tons of family fun. The outdoor DIY Tenzi yard dice game from Hello Creative Family will definitely keep your family busy and spending less time in the house during summer!

8. DIY Backyard Slingshot

While I’m sure the kids will jump for joy when they see a giant slingshot in their backyard, I think I would meet it with the same level of enthusiasm. Launching things from a giant slingshot is just too fun to pass up. Rogue Engineer is generously providing free plans for this project so any of us can make it.

9. DIY Washer Toss Game

Washer toss is one of those games that are easy to play but difficult to master. In other words, competitive kids and grown-ups will play this for hours. If you want to make a DIY washer toss game with a fun and colorful look, try Pretty Handy Girl’s tutorial.

10. DIY Bean Bag Toss

The bean bag toss is another cool game you can play in your backyard, at picnic parties, and other outdoor gatherings. Mod Podge Rocks has a really easy way to put this together so no special skills are needed!

11. DIY Giant Jenga

To make a DIY giant Jenga game you will basically need to cut 2×4 boards into small pieces and (optional) paint their ends. Try this super easy craft from A Beautiful Mess and you will have an entertaining game that can be played both outdoors and indoors.

I actually DIY-ed this project two summers ago, and it’s been a HUGE hit with our family and friends.

12. DIY Kubb Backyard Game

Kubb, also known as Vikings Chess is a game that’s a bit difficult to learn but really fun to play. Our Handcrafted Life created a DIY Kubb backyard game you can make using basic woodworking tools. They left the wood in its natural state but don’t be afraid to paint it or stain it if you prefer a more colorful look.

13. Easy DIY Rainbow Paver Hopscotch

Playing hopscotch is one of the greatest childhood memories any kid should experience! The good news is, you can make a DIY hopscotch game for your backyard using pavers and paint like Happiness Is Homemade did. The young ones will be very excited to play it!

14. Easy DIY Yard Dice

Making your own DIY yard dice is definitely a project worth tackling since there are so many games you can play with them. Love and Renovations made their yard dice from wood, and share all the details of this easy project.

15. DIY Giant Connect Four Game

Sometimes giving a plain game an upgrade can make it much more attractive. Learn how to paint a giant connect four game with fun colors from A Kailo Chic Life and you’ll have some guaranteed outdoor entertaining for friends and family.