10 Party-Worthy Outdoor Games

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01 of 10

Squirt gun races

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Use the backyard clothesline for this game, or tie ropes between trees or fenceposts. Hang a watering can or beach bucket from each line, and have teams race to see which can get their object from one end to the other using only squirt guns! For an alternate version, use just one hanging object, and start with it hanging in the middle. Have teams stand on opposite sides and see which can move it to the end of the line with water power.

02 of 10

Nature scavenger hunt

LCL Image: Nature scavenger hunt

Send kids for a walk around the acreage with a list of things to collect in a scavenger hunt box! Ask them to find things like acorns, specific leaves, pinecones, feathers, rocks of a certain size or color, and other interesting items. For older kids with phones, plan a photo scavenger hunt, and ask them to snap pictures of everything on their list, which can include things like birds and people at the party.

03 of 10

Lawn checkers

LCL Image: Lawn checkers

If you just happen to have pavers in a checkerboard pattern like this, then playing a game of lawn checkers is a given! If you don't, tack down cardboard squares, or make a chalk checkerboard on the patio or driveway. Use beanbags or Frisbees for giant checkers!

04 of 10

Sack races

LCL Image: Sack races

Is there anything that says, "old-fashioned fun" more than a sack race? For a more festive race, decorate burlap sacks by gluing on felt designs, or spray paint them using stencils. Ready, set, hop!

05 of 10

Pyramid toss

LCL Image: Pyramid toss

Decorate empty cans with duct tape or paint, and stack into pyramids. Toss bean bags at the pyramids to try and knock them down! Designate separate throwing lines for kids and adults, and make the pyramids as large as you want!

06 of 10

King of the crate

LCL Image: King of the crate

Try your hand at this game of extreme tug-of-war! Contestants each stand on a crate holding one end of a rope. Fall off, and you're out! For a team race, have each person stand on a crate. If you fall, you're out! The last team standing wins!

07 of 10

Popcorn relay

LCL Image: Popcorn relay

This is one of those games that sounds easy until you try it! Divide into teams, and set a box for each team at the starting line and the finish line. Fill the starting line box with popcorn. Provide each team with a pair of shoe cups -- plastic cups with elastic bands strung through the bottom. (Make a few extra cups in case some get broken.) The first player attaches the cups to his or her shoes, uses their hands to fill them with popcorn from the first box, runs to the second box, dumps whatever popcorn is left into the second box, runs back to the starting line, and passes the shoe cups to the next player. Keep playing until one box is full of popcorn, or stop after one round and measure which box has more.

08 of 10

Jumbo tic-tac-toe

LCL Image: Jumbo tic-tac-toe

Use duct tape to make a tic-tac-toe pattern on a sheet, tarp, or plastic tablecloth, and tack it to the ground. Using more duct tape, mark "X" and "O" onto Frisbees. Have contestants stand back and toss the Frisbees onto the cloth to play tic-tac-toe.

09 of 10

Clothespin tag

LCL Image: Clothespin tag

In this fun version of tag, each player starts out with a certain number of clothespins attached to his or her clothes. Once the game starts, everyone runs around trying to grab each other's clothespins and pin them to their own clothes. Set a time limit, and at the end, the player with the most clothespins wins!

10 of 10

Bike obstacle course

LCL Image: Bike obstacle course

Use traffic cones and yellow tape to set up a driver's obstacle course in your yard. Little kids can race on trikes and scoot-along tractors, older kids can use bikes, and grown-ups can get down to kid level and try the course on trikes, too!

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