Fun Kids Outdoor Party Games

Warm weather means outside parties, and you can play plenty of outdoor party games that are appropriate for many different age groups. Whether you want to get wet or engage in dry fun, these games are sure to be a hit at a backyard party.

Backyard Games

• Obstacle Course: Set up an age-appropriate course full of fun activities, such as crawling between patio chairs, leaping over cones, climbing over a swing set, jumping rope five times or running around the grill three times.
• Flying Disc Baseball: Play America's game with a new twist. Set up traditional bases and assign players to traditional positions, except instead of pitching, the "batter" throws the flying disc and tries to round the bases.
• Fox and Hens: One person is the fox, and the rest are hens. Designate three to five "safe spots" that are spread all over the yard, where the hens gather. Hens must run from one spot to the next without getting tagged. When the fox tags a hen, they become the new fox.
• Sand Relay: Pass handfuls of sand down a relay row, being careful not to spill much. The team with the most in the bucket at the end wins.

Water Games

• Sponge Toss: Have team members stand two feet apart with one holding a soaking wet sponge. Toss the sponge back and forth, stepping backwards with each successful catch. The game ends when one member drops the sponge.
• Fishing: Fill several dozen water balloons up with water, and drop them in a wading pool. Kids must race up and grab fish, one by one, and then transport them back to a waiting bucket.
• Water Limbo: Set up a garden hose so the water streams out in an arc, and then have kids limbo under it. Lower the hose after everyone has had a turn until there is one winner who is still relatively dry.
• Water Piñata: Fill a 10-gallon plastic trash bag with a few gallons of water, and suspend it with a rope or cord. Blindfold guests and give them three swats at the bag with a broom handle. Plan on doing this several times so each child can unleash the splash.