Spring might not be quite spring yet where we live, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t already preparing for warmer weather and sunny days spent with family and friends in the backyard! In fact, one of our very favorite things to do in the spring and summer is play outdoor games with those we love. That’s why we’ve always got our eyes peeled for tutorials that will help us make all kinds of awesome outdoor activities and games to keep the backyard extra fun!
Just in case you love the idea of making jumbo versions of classic games for your backyard just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the best ideas we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration.
1. DIY corn hole board
Have you always been a huge fan of the more classic outdoor games that you remember from state fairs or outdoor summer barbecues as a kid? Then we have a feeling you’d enjoy having your very own corn hole board just as much as we do! Check out how Home Stories A to Z made this one happen in surprisingly few simple steps, and with a flair of design to it too.
2. DIY lawn dominoes
Are you and your kids totally into the idea of making jumbo versions of regular indoor games to play on the lawn but you’d actually still like to take the DIY aspect of this as a chance to teach them an older game that you loved as a kid yourself? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll really get a kick out of the way Iron & Twine made these huge giant dominoes that are perfect for the backyard!
3. Jumbo backyard Kerplunk
If you’re going to get into the realm of making giant versions of games that your family likes, why not try making some of the board games you see your kids playing together or with friends in their downtime? We’re completely obsessed with the way All Parenting used wood, chicken wire, dowels, and plastic balls to make a big backyard version of Kerplunk.
4. DIY rainbow Jenga
Here’s another jumbo outdoor version of a classic inside tabletop game that we just can’t get enough of! Mr DIY Dork guides you step by step through the process of making big block Jenga in super fun rainbow colours. We love that they had the foresight to include instructions for a “table” too, since your lawn probably isn’t even enough for a tower to stand steady on the grass!
5. Springtime rock Tic Tac Toe
Maybe you’re prefer to create an outdoor game that your kids can actually help you along with in the process of creating it? In that case, we’d definitely suggest checking out how Chicken Scratch NY painted rocks and drew on a stump section in order to make adorable springtime themed Tic Tac Toe. Painting the rocks to look like ladybugs and bumble bees is just as fun as playing the game later on a sunny day!
6. Spray painted lawn Twister
Are you feeling pretty keen to make your kids some kind of awesome outdoor version of their favourite games but you also know they have a tendency to leave things lying around, so you’re also keen to involve as few bits and pieces as possible? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Postcards used eco-friendly paint to create a Twister mat right there in the grass!
7. Leak proof water blob
Are you actually very crafty indeed and looking for something that’s a little more challenging and hands-on to make? Whether you live in a place that’s already very warm or whether you’re just looking in advance until things warm up a lot, here’s the perfect outdoor game for water loving kids! Check out how Homemade Toast made this leak-proof water blob that’s great for jumping and sliding on in surprisingly few simple steps.
8. Ice block treasure hunt
Have we really got your attention with outdoor game and activity ideas that involve water and will cool your kids down, since you do live in a hot place? Well, particularly if you have hands-on kids who love taking things apart, we think you might have some successful afternoons with this ice block treasure hunt idea outlined step by step on Macaroni Kid!
9. DIY yard Yahtzee
Just in case you’re not yet over the hilarious idea of making giant outdoor versions of your favourite classic tabletop games, here’s a tutorial from Momtastic that shows you how to make jumbo backyard Yahtzee! They use wooden cubes and a bucket for the pieces and give you full instructions for making an erasable whiteboard scoring sheet.
10. DIY jumbo Connect 4
Just in case you’re not over the idea of jumbo tabletop games for the backyard yet (we can’t blame you; we aren’t either), here’s another one for your consideration! We can’t get over how simple but awesome this tutorial that teaches you how to make a giant standing version of Connect 4 is. Get the full details for creating one of your own on Home Depot!
11. DIY backyard ring toss
Here’s another awesome outdoor game idea for those of you who are still looking for ways to introduce your kids to more traditional games rather than just making outside versions of modern boardgames! Check out how Mom Endeavors made a wood and dowel stand and some duct tape wrapped rings in order to make a hardy outdoor-friendly ring toss setup.
12. Giant backyard Scrabble
If you’re going to make giant outdoor versions of classic board games, you can hardly skip over an absolute family staple like Scrabble, right? We didn’t think so either. That’s why we were so pleased to come across this tutorial from AJC that outlines, nice and clearly, how they made a rather impressive jumbo Scrabble board for their yard, step by step.
13. Giant flamingo ring toss
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about ring toss but you can’t help wondering whether your family might have more fun making and playing a less traditional version that’s a little more funny and kitschy? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at the way Sugar and Cloth created this hilarious pink flamingo ring toss game instead!
14. Beach ball bowling
Boardgames and classic outdoor activities aren’t the only things you can make as a DIY project for your backyard this spring! We’re also totally enamoured with this idea from Polka Dot Chair that helps you do a bit of pop bottle upcycling while you make a beach ball and pool noodle version of the bowling you’re probably used to doing at the lanes in your local bowling alley.
15. DIY ladder golf
Are you still looking for an idea that appeals to adults and kids alike but your kids are not longer small and you’re interested in something that gets them active and takes a bit of aim or skill? Then maybe this ladder golf concept outlined step by step on Kelly Leigh Creates is the best idea for you! We love the way they show you how to build different tiers so that some shorts are easy to aim for while others are a little more difficult.
