It can be tricky to find fun things to do outside, when space is a serious limitation. But finding some fun games to play could make all the difference at a fun party or gathering. Obviously, though, some space is needed in order to play anything outside. So in this article, we define “small yards” as having at least a 20’ by 20’ open area to use.
So what are the games that are great for small yards?
- Giant Jenga
- Croquet
- Giant Yahtzee
- Cornhole
- Spikeball
- Giant Jenga
- Kan Jam
Let’s check out how much room each of these games actually needs.
- Giant Jenga
Game Specifics
Players: 1-6+
Time: 20-30 minutes
Space: Minimal. Less than 10 feet in diameter
Game
We all know Jenga. Giant Jenga isn’t anything revolutionary, but it is surprisingly fun. There’s something that makes Giant Jenga different than regular Jenga and I don’t necessarily know what it is. As we know, Jenga is all about building a tower of wooden pieces; with Giant Jenga we just use 2×4’s instead. Players take turns removing a 2×4 from the stack with one hand and placing it on top. This process repeats until one of the players knocks over the stack—hopefully without it landing on them. It’s a really fun game to play outside at a social event or family party.
Space Required Explained
As can probably be intuited, Giant Jenga, though much larger than regular Jenga, doesn’t take up much space at all. Players can stand just a few feet back from the Jenga stack and be clear from any pieces landing on them. It can be played in a much smaller space than most other yard games. If played on a somewhat low surface, keeping a space clear of only about 7 feet in diameter should be sufficient. Playing on a soft surface like grass can also reduce the loud sound of the board hitting the ground and potentially damaging something.
- Croquet
Game Specifics
Players: 2-6+
Time: 30 minutes
Space: 20’x20’ or less
Game
Croquet has been around for a long time. At some point most of us have played it, whether at Grandma’s house or some other social gathering. 2-6 (or more if you have the mallets) players compete to be the first to hit their ball through a course with wooden mallets. Players must navigate through specified hoops from the right direction and end by hitting a wooden mallet at the end of the course. The first to do that wins bragging rights and should retire from the game while ahead.
Space Required Explained
Traditionally, at least in the games I’ve played, Croquet is a game that takes up a lot of space. Courses are often designed for players to have to cross the entire yard to finish the game; however, that isn’t necessary. Players can easily design a course that switches back and navigates through a very small area. In fact, it may even make the game a bit more difficult, if players have to completely change directions after passing through each hoop. A party host looking to maximize the real estate in their backyard for fun yard games could get really creative with Croquet.
- Giant Yahtzee
Game Specifics
Players: 2-10
Time: 60 minutes
Space: Very little, 5 feet
Game
Yet another game we all know. But now we’ve blown it up much larger. Giant Yahtzee (or really any giant dice game) is really fun. Players take turns throwing the dice—which is much more of a workout in giant form. Each turn a player has three attempts to get a favorable dice outcome. Depending on the outcomes players obtain points during the game. Player with the most points once all turns have been taken wins.
Space Required Explained
As you can probably imagine at this point, as long as someone isn’t getting a little too crazy, Giant Yahtzee really doesn’t take any space at all. If you have a little room to spread out, players can roll the dice across the grass with a little more energy and fun. If you’re wanting to have more than one lawn game going at once, this is the perfect game to incorporate into your night of events.
- Cornhole
Game Specifics
Players: 2-4+
Time: 20-30 minutes
Space: More than others, 20+ feet
Game
Cornhole is a classically fun game to add to any outdoor gathering. Teams of players take turns attempting to throw bean bags, into a board with a hole in it, on the other side of the field (usually 27 or so feet). They score various number of points based on where the bean bags land. Any bags through the hole get 3 points; any bags that land and stay on the board get 1 point. The bean bags of opposing players can cancel each other out, though. The first team to score 21 points wins. This game is awesome for those looking to add a game that is low-key and still fun to their social event.
Space Required Explained
Normally, like Croquet, this game would require much more space than some of the others on the list. With the usual distance of 27 feet between each board, it wouldn’t exactly fit the “yard games for small yards” category; however, not all cornhole sets are the same size. Some newer Cornhole games are much smaller because they are meant to be easily put away without taking up much space. Because of that, reducing the size of the “field” wouldn’t be inappropriate. It is still difficult to score points when the boards have been brought much closer together on the smaller Cornhole sets.
- Spikeball
Game Specifics
Players: 4 (or six, with teams of 3)
Time: 20-30 minutes
Space: At least 20’x20’
Game
When I first saw Spikeball, all I could think was NERDY! I don’t know why I have this tendency with some games (ultimate frisbee was another), but sometimes I avoid games because they look lame. Then I played it; and of course it was awesome. It’s like a mix between foursquare and volleyball. Teams of players (usually 2 vs 2) take turns serving the ball to each other. Once served, the receiving team has three volleys to bounce it off of a trampoline—attempting to spike the ball to an area where the other team cannot retrieve it. If the other team manages to get the ball before it hits the ground, they have up to three volleys to get it back and bounce it on the trampoline. A team scores when the other team can’t return the ball to the trampoline. First to 21 wins.
Space Required Explained
I will be the first to admit that Spikeball can get intense; and people can be flying all over the place to keep the ball in play. But generally speaking, this game can be played in a small area. A space of 20 feet by 20 feet can be a perfect amount to have a great time with this game; However, if 1) the small yard you have is between fences to places you can’t get to and 2) the people you will be playing with get a little over enthusiastic, this might not be the game to get for a small yard. But for most people that are just playing for a little bit of fun, this game should be just fine.
- Grass Tic Tac Toe
Game Specifics
Players: 2
Time: 3-5 minutes
Space: Almost none, 5 feet
Game
This is definitely the most simple game to play on the list and we won’t even bother explaining how to play it. With this game, though, it’s easiest to just make it. You will need some spray paint, ropes or hoola hoops for the grass; or chalk, tape or rope for the cement to draw the normal grid—two horizontal, parallel lines intersecting with two vertical, parallel lines. Then you’ll need to find two different types of objects for each team to use as their markers. These can be anything as long as the two sets are completely unique. There are definitely premade tic tac toe kits you can buy online, but it’s probably not worth it.
TIP: One thing to keep in mind is that Grass/Giant Tic Tac Toe can be combined with other games to make it a team game or speed game. For example, I’ve seen people use it with cups, where players have to flip the cup on the edge of the table from upside down to rightside up before they can play a tic tac toe piece. Then they hand it to another player or do it again themselves. Other times players must race across the yard, complete some task, place a tic tac toe piece then race back to their team before another player can take a turn.
Space Required Explained
The space this game requires is highly dependent on how large the tic tac toe game itself is, but generally speaking, it will take up only a few feet in total. It is another great game to have if you are looking to have several yard games going at once. If you decide to make it a bit more fun and combined it with another game, the game would obviously be limited by the size of the yard. If it’s a longer, shallow space, this would be great. Even if it isn’t, though, if you get a little creative with the game you add, it can usually be accomplished fairly easily in a small area.
- Twister
Game Specifics
Players: 2-4
Time: 10 minutes
Space: 10’x10’ or less
Game
Twister was always a really fun game to play growing up. It’s all about following the directions of the person with the spinner until you are the last person standing. The best way to make Twister a yard game is to build it on the grass. You could technically just bring the actual mat out and play on it but that would be lame! Instead you can just spray paint the mat on the grass. That way it won’t get dirty, and most of us don’t actually own the game anymore. Then you will just have to recreate the spinner—which you could simplify by creating two spinners. You would create one for the hand and foot movement and one for the color. Then you’re ready to go.
Space Required Explained
A Twister mat is 6 feet long by 4 feet wide and each spot is 6 inches in diameter. You won’t need much more space than that in order to include this game into your social event. You could even theoretically add more dots to add more players—and it wouldn’t take up that much more space. The one caveat is that you will probably want this game to be played exclusively on grass. Playing it on a hard surface would make falling down a painful affair. Although maybe your group is just that kind of crowd. Then, I guess by all means, do it. For the rest of us, making sure the space being used has a soft grassy area is essential.
Conclusion
We’ve talked about the major yard games that would work in small yards, but many others certainly could be altered to work for smaller applications. All it takes is a bit of creativity and imagination to make it happen.