For many people, the long, hot days and balmy nights of summer mean more gatherings with friends and family. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool or live in a community with access to one, it seems natural to use it as a party setting. However, lack of access to water doesn’t mean lack of fun. When you are looking for a unique way to hang out this summer, a giant backyard game night is a solid solution.
1. Choose a date and send invites
The date of your game night is crucial. Weekends may receive more positive responses, but summer vacations and holidays can interfere with scheduling. Look at the calendar and choose a date with sufficient separation from major holidays.
If your group is small, consider sending a survey first to see which dates are available to everyone. Weekend evenings may work best for families, but Thursday nights are also an option for child-free gatherings. Although there are indoor games, consider adding a rain date if you are committed to playing outside.
Once the date is set, use free tools like Evite, Canva, or Paperless Post to create and send digital invitations.
2. Curate the space
Start with lighting. String twinkle lights and add solar garden lights or lanterns to create a festive mood. You’ll need plenty of seating, but don’t worry about investing in expensive outdoor furniture. Use outdoor cushions, camping chairs, picnic blankets, and bales of hay to provide seating and spaces to relax.
Every successful party has great music. Search for a summer game night mix on music streaming services that suits your game night vibe.
3. Choose your games
If you own your home, you may be less concerned with a few divots in your lawn, but renters should focus on games that don’t stress the grass or cause damage.
Some group-friendly games that everyone can enjoy include:
● Giant Jenga
● Cornhole
● Giant Connect Four
● Giant Twister
● DIY ring toss or Frisbee tic-tac-toe
If you want more active games and have the space, consider capture the flag or flag football. Lawn bowling, bocce, and Minute-to-Win-It games are suitable for all ages and keep things interesting.
A great activity to cool off, especially on hot nights, is a water balloon toss. Another game involving water is a sponge relay race where teams of four have to move water from a bucket at one end of the yard to another bucket at the other end using only a sponge. The fastest group to move the most water “wins” and gets all of the water poured on them.
Rotate games every 20 to 30 minutes so everyone can try them all.
4. Beef up the competition
If you’re feeling competitive, split guests into teams or hold a schoolyard pick and assign wristbands or bandanas. Keep score and advance teams through brackets based on their score or track teams on a chalkboard.
Save money by making your own ribbons and trophies or buy some simple, but funky, awards from thrift stores or dollar stores. Add funny award categories such as:
● Worst Throw That Scored Anyway
● Fashion Icon, awarded ironically
● Excuse-Making MVP
5. Don’t forget the food
Keep the food simple so you can enjoy the party instead of rushing around to serve everyone. Taco bars, sliders, or picnic packs with cold cuts, cheese, bread, and toppings are easy self-serve options. Provide plenty of munchie snacks, such as popcorn, chips, and fresh fruit.
Create batch cocktails for adults and set up a DIY lemonade station for the kids, complete with fruit and flavored syrup mix-ins. Get twice the amount of ice you think you’ll need, and provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and water to keep everyone safe and hydrated.
When the sun sets, spark up the fire pit for s’mores. You could also offer novelty ice cream treats or an ice cream sundae bar.
6. Be extra
Every successful backyard game night has a few extras that make it more memorable. Stage a photo area with props and a festive background. If you live in an area known for bug-infested summer nights, provide guests with a bug spray station and place citronella candles around seating areas. When the stars come out, hand out glow sticks and sparklers to keep the party going.
7. Wind down
After the games are finished and the awards are handed out, wind down with a mellow activity. This might include a movie under the stars, a sing-along accompanied by a musical instrument, or storytelling. The wind-down period is a good opportunity to ensure everyone is safe to drive home and help little ones transition smoothly toward bedtime.
8. Schedule your next game night
Don’t let summer slip away. The day after your successful backyard game night, send thank you notes to all attendees with a save-the-date for the next gathering. Share any photos you took, and get ready to plan another fun summer night with family and friends.
If your guests loved your space a little too much, someone may ask if your home is for sale. In that case, it doesn’t hurt to have a general idea of what typical commission fees are if you were ever to consider selling.
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