Is there anything better than having your friends and family over, heating up the grill, and enjoying the weather in your backyard? Adding in a few BBQ party games for adults not only spices things up for your guests but gives them something to do while they’re waiting on the BBQ to finish up. Choosing the best BBQ party games depends on the interests of your guests, so keep that in mind when going through our list below.
Backyard Tossing Games
1. Cornhole
One of our favorite BBQ party games for adults, Cornhole, goes by a few different names, depending on where you live or who you talk to. Regardless of what you call it, cornhole is a classic BBQ party game that is always a hit!
To play, you will just need a cornhole set, a few friends, and some space in your backyard. You can either play a one-on-one game or group up everyone into teams.
Each sandbag that goes through the hole is worth 3 points, while each sandbag on the platform loses you 1 point. The goal is to hit 21 points before your opponent(s) can, which can surprisingly be a challenge.
Here is a review of our favorite cornhole bags and cornhole boards.
2. Horseshoes
Horseshoes aren’t just for horses; they are also a great part of an exciting backyard game. This throwing game is easy to learn but can be challenging to win.
To play horseshoes, all you need is four horseshoes and two stakes. Traditionally, you would place the stakes 40 feet apart, but you can arrange them accordingly, depending on the size of your backyard.
You get three points for ringing the horseshoe around the stake, and 1 point if it lands within 6 inches around the stake. You play until one player or team hits the predetermined score, such as 20 points. However, you can choose to make it 20, 30, or even 50 points if you like.
To reduce the bouncing and sliding of horseshoes, you can choose to add a pit of sand around each stake. Doing this is not required, however.
Here is a review of a few of our favorite horseshoe game sets.
3. Washer Toss
The game of washer toss is somewhat similar to cornhole and horseshoes. Washer toss is another tossing game where you’re aiming at a specific area across the yard to rack up points.
To play, you’ll need to purchase a washer toss set from Amazon. You could DIY it yourself if you prefer to do it that way, too. You’ll need two washer pits with a hole or cup in the center (along with a few washers, of course).
Similarly to the games mentioned above, a washer that lands in the center cup will earn 3 points, and 1 point for each washer within the box. Typically, you play until someone gets to 21 points.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Ladder Toss
There is speculation that ladder toss actually goes back to the cowboys in the wild west. Cowboys would throw snakes at branches or fences to compete for points, which is similar to how you play ladder toss.
You may have heard of this game before, perhaps by a different name such as hillbilly golf, ladder ball, ladder golf, or ball rope. To play, you’ll need a ladder with three tiers and three bolas (assuming you don’t want to play like the cowboys).
The top tier is worth three points, the second tier is two points, and the bottom tier is worth one point. Aim for the top, and try to rack up as many points as you can to win the game.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Lawn Darts
If you haven’t been introduced to the game of lawn darts, then you need to give it a try for your next BBQ. This BBQ party game for adults is similar to wall darts, except you get to enjoy the fresh air in your backyard while you play.
As the name suggests, you’ll be aiming the darts at your lawn rather than a standard dartboard. You can even buy glow in the dark sets if you want a fun backyard game to play in the dark.
To play, you’ll need a set of target rings and lawn darts. Place the targets around your backyard, pick up a dart, and aim! Oh, and don’t worry, these darts are yard-friendly.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Kan Jam
If you want an easy-to-set-up BBQ party game for adults, then kan jam will be right up your alley. It’s kind of like playing frisbee, but instead, you aim to hit a target.
Also known as garbage can frisbee, Kan Jam is a game where you toss discs toward a can with the goal of getting exactly 21 points. Your partner will stand behind the can to assist you in hitting it.
If you hit the can, you get 1 point. Your partner is there to assist you, so if he/she hits the thrown disc and it hits the can, that’s also worth 1 point. However, if your disc lands perfectly inside the front slot, you get an instant win.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Pong Golf
Pong golf: a game where beer pong combines with golf. Whether you’re an avid golfer or just want a fun BBQ party game for adults, pong golf is one you should give a try.
Similarly to beer pong, the goal is to sink the ball in all of your opponent’s cups. Instead of tossing the balls, you’ll use a golf club to aim the balls into the opponent’s holes.
Whoever removes all of the other team’s cups wins!
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Bottle Bash
Bottle bash is a simple tossing game where you toss a frisbee and try to knock the bottle off of a pole.
To play, you’ll need 2 or 4 players. One person will begin by tossing the frisbee while the defense tries to catch the frisbee and bottle before it hits the ground. You get two points if the bottle hits the ground and 1 point if the frisbee hits the ground.
Like a lot of tossing games, the first person or team to get to 21 points is the winner.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Kubb
Believe it or not, this game has been around so long, it’s actually older than golf and croquet. In Kubb, you take turns throwing sticks at your opponents’ blocks. Although it seems simple enough, you only get a set number of sticks to throw, so you need to play wisely. The game really heats up when the last “king” block is standing, and all you have is one stick to make it count.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Giant Games
10. Giant Yard Pong
Everyone who’s ever been 21 years old has likely heard of beer pong. However, with yard pong, you’re working with giant cups, so you probably don’t want to fill these up.
Each team takes turns throwing a set of balls at six giant buckets. If the ball lands in the bucket, it is removed. Whichever team can eliminate the other team’s buckets, wins.
What’s really fun about giant yard pong, is that you can also play it in your pool! The buckets and balls float, so if you have a pool, this is a great option.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
11. Giant Jenga
What’s not to love about Jenga? It’s an exciting game that requires a little strategy and a lot of stamina. Giant Jenga takes things to a whole new level (literally)!
To play giant Jenga, you’ll stack rows of blocks into a tower (alternating how they lie in each row). Each player takes turns carefully removing a block, hoping it’s not the one that makes the tower collapse.
Whoever moves a block that causes the tower to fall loses.
Last update on 2020-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
12. Giant Bowling
What’s more fun than bowling in a bowling ally? Giant bowling in your backyard! Giant bowling sets typically come up with a huge bowling ball and pins that you blow up.
Take the ball and knock down as many pins as you can – just like standard bowling. This is great for those who say they aren’t any good at bowling. Everything is oversized, so it’s hard to miss hitting a few pins. Even avid bowlers will have fun with this game, though.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
13. Giant Yahtzee
If you’re looking for a simple BBQ party game for adults involving strategy, giant Yahtzee is a fun spin on the original game. What’s fun about giant Yahtzee is getting to roll the dice in a lifesized bucket and tossing into the yard. While it’s still a pretty low energy game, this adds a little bit more movement and excitement to it.
Yahtzee is a game of half strategy and half luck. You roll the dice and try to match different combinations on your scoresheet. If you get 5 of one die within three rolls, you get to yell, “YAHTZEE!” and get an extra 50 points. The person with the most points at the end wins.
Instead of Yahtzee, you could also use the giant dice to play other dice games.
Last update on 2020-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
14. Giant Checkers
Giant checkers are another great BBQ party game for adults. Especially for those who want to play something that doesn’t require a lot of movement since it’s more strategy-based. Checkers is a board game classic, but it’s even more fun on a giant game board.
Just like the original game, each player or team starts with either black or red checkers on the board. The goal is to move around the board without giving your opponent the opportunity to “jump” over your piece and take it off the board.
With giant checkers, you get life-sized game pieces along with a large blanket as the board. You can start the night by playing checkers on the blanket, and end it by sitting on it in the yard while you eat your BBQ.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Other BBQ Party Games for Adults
15. Kickball
If you’re playing kickball, you may want to find a nice spot in the backyard that isn’t too close to the grill. Kickball is similar to baseball, but as the name suggests, you kick the ball rather than hit it with a bat. While this is a game that kids play in school, it’s just as fun for adults to play.
To play, you’ll need to split everyone into two teams, with one team in the field and the other up to bat. The pitcher will roll the ball to the kicker, who then kicks the ball and runs to first base. All of the rules in baseball apply to the game of kickball, with the exception of kicking the ball instead of using a baseball bat.
What’s great about kickball is that you don’t need a bunch of equipment. All you need is a group of friends and a ball to play with, and you’re ready to go!
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
16. Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is a fun backyard game that is basically bowling, and skeeball rolled into one sport. It’s a great game for your friends who may not be the best at sports, but are looking to have a good time. Unlike some other sports games, bocce ball is fairly easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of skill or strength.
First, someone will throw the smallest ball, called the pallino, which is used as a marker. The first player will step up and throw their bocce ball as close to the pallino as possible. Each person or team goes back and forth until all of the bocce balls are thrown. Whoever gets closest to the pallino, wins that round and are considered the “in” team.
The “in” team gets points for every ball that is closer to the pallino than the other teams. The game continues until one person or team has reached 13 points, or however many points you predetermine are needed to win.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
17. Track Ball
Remember when you were a kid and would play catch with a baseball and a catchers mitt? Track ball is kind of like that, but you’re using a special racket meant for track ball instead. This is a simple game to play, and a lot of fun if you have a large backyard to throw the ball in. These rackets can throw the ball far, so a bit of distance is needed for this game.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
18. Croquet
Does it get any more classic than playing a game of croquet? Croquet is a popular game that has been around for thousands of years and may have even been played as early as the 1300s.
Croquet is another game that doesn’t require any special skills or a lot of athletic ability. To play, you just need a standard croquet set with croquet mallets and balls.
You can check out our favorite croquet sets here.
19. Spikeball
Spikeball is basically a combination of volleyball and foursquare. This one can be a little challenging and get pretty competitive, so keep that in mind when making your BBQ game list.
Like volleyball, the goal is to hit the ball over the net to the other team in a way that makes it hard for them to hit it. Spikeball scoring is kind of complicated to grasp at first, but after a few rounds, you’ll start getting the hang of it.
Points are awarded for:
- The ball hitting the ground
- Hitting the ball directly into the rim.
- Rolling the ball across the net instead of bouncing.
- When the same player hits the ball more than once in a row.
- A player catching or throwing the ball instead of hitting it cleanly.
- The ball bouncing back and hitting the net.
- When the server faults twice in a row.
Last update on 2020-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
20. Badminton
Badminton is another classic, old-school sport that has been around for centuries. It is an extremely popular sport in Asian countries, specifically China and India, where some of the best players in the world are from.
Instead of playing with a ball, you use what is called a shuttlecock. You can play one on one or with a team of doubles. Each player uses a stringed racket, sort of like a tennis racket but smaller. Each time you hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the court before your opponent can hit it, you score a point.
Here is our review of the best badminton rackets and if you really want to take things seriously, the best badminton shoes.
21. Battlechip
Battlechip takes the game of cornhole and pairs it with the sport of golf to create a fun take on each. It’s a simple game that works well for all skill and athletic levels.
There are three holes that mimic a golf course on each board. If you hit your ball in the “green,” you get three points. However, there is a hole located in “water” and a “sandpit,” and if you land in one of those, you actually lose a point. If your ball hits the board but lands in no holes, you will receive one point.
Each kit comes with a target, a hitting mat, foam golf balls, and a dry-erase scoreboard.
Last update on 2020-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts
Backyard games are an exciting way to add a little fun and friendly competition while the food is cooking. Hopefully, after scrolling through this list, you have found a game or two to try at your next BBQ. Give a couple of these BBQ party games for adults a try, and enjoy the time with your friends and family, while trying to beat them, of course.
Maybe you saw a game that you’ve played before and forgot about, or maybe you stumbled upon something you’ve never heard of. If you’re having trouble making a decision, go with something you’ve never tried before to keep things fresh and interesting!
We really like this game! Give it a try if you haven’t already.
