The best garden games can turn an afternoon of lazing about in the garden into hours of fun with the whole family. Plus they are a great distraction if you want to get some work done in the garden and your 'helpers' have become more of a hindrance. Garden games are also great for getting your kids away from screens (no judgment here, we all know of the silencing powers of an iPad) and get them playing with the rest of the family. Who knows, even your sulky teen might enjoy a round of boules.
We've rounded up our fave games, from classics like outdoor Jenga and skittles, to water slides and Swingball to get you inspired to find new ways to get your kids outside. So keep scrolling for the answer to 'What on earth can we do to keep them entertained now?'
Such a simple concept – throw a frisbee until it hits a stick. But it could provide hours of fun for you and your family. We think this would be a great game for any social distancing garden parties we will be having over the summer too – would love to see how this turns out after a few G&Ts...
Why go for boring old wooden Jenga when you could have a rainbow design instead? Of course we picked this because it looks lovely, but it's also a classic game that everyone can have a go at. The fact that it's giant just makes it even better – it turns into quite the garden sculpture once you start playing.
Again, it was the lovely colours that drew us to the skittles set – so much prettier, and more eco-friendly than those bright plastic sets. This will last summer after summer in your garden, and the whole family will enjoy playing no matter what their age. Just try not to get too competitive...
What a classic. Hours of fun right here! On a hot day we can't think of a better garden game than a water slide. And they have had an upgrade since we used to use them – gone are the days of a strip of pond liner and someone having to hold the hose pipe while everyone else had all the fun. This one gets attached to the hose so it continuously stays wet, plus sprays everyone who slides down it thanks to the sprinkler at the bottom. What's great about this one is because it's a double version you can have races too.
If you are looking for a ball game that isn't going to totally destroy your garden, opting for a Swing Ball is the way forward. All the mess (sorry fun) is contained because the ball is attached to a pole and can't fly off at plants and windows – genius idea. It also means your kids don't need you to constantly come and play bat and ball with them because they can practice on their own with this.
If you haven't played the classic game of pétanque on your holidays, chances are you've at least watched others playing it on the beach or in the square of a quaint French village. Recreate some of those summer holiday vibes at home with this set, which includes six balls (three black and three chrome), a hardwearing storage case, a jack (the small wooden ball) and a measuring tape (for settling those inevitable arguments over which ball has landed closest).
If you're after a garden game that doesn't take up a lot of room so will work well in a smaller garden, this ring toss game would be perfect. The rules are simple, just throw a ring and try and get it onto one of the coloured sticks – different colours equate to different points. As many people as you like can play, just keep passing on the rings and writing down your scores – great for garden parties as kids and adults will enjoy!
If you've got the room, and don't mind your garden potentially facing a bit of a beating, a badminton set is a great buy for the summer. This set comes with everything you need for both badminton, tennis and volleyball, including rackets and balls for all games. It's really easy to put up, you just stake it into your lawn and rolls up easily for handy storage too.
A teepee will allow your kids to come up with all kinds of garden games so it is a really versatile buy – a shop one day, school the next. This one also looks lovely and would be a stylish addition to your garden. It's not waterproof so will have to be brought inside during downpours and for the winter months, but it would look just as lovely in a playroom.
Time to up the den building from an old sheet and some clothes pegs? This den building kit is the answer. It comes with everything you and your children need to create amazing dens in your back garden – including camouflage tarpaulin, a groundsheet, a mallet and mugs, how adorable! This is great for teaching your kids skills as well as how to work together in a team.
How to buy the best garden games
When choosing the best garden games, there are a few things you might want to think about beyond how fun it will be. Always check these specs too before you make a purchase:
What ages is it suitable for?
If your kids are teenagers this is probably not something you need to think too much about, but if you have younger children always check whether it will be suitable for them.
How many players is it for?
If you are a larger family, you might want to avoid garden games that are only suitable for two players, more to avoid the arguments more than anything else. Also, consider if the game can actually accommodate more players than it states. For example, with badminton and tennis you could all just grab a racket and get playing as a family.
What size garden will it suit?
Think about what games would suit your space. If you have a small garden, static games like Jenga would be a better choice as you don't need copious amounts of room. If you have a larger garden this will be less of a problem, but also consider the shape and style of your garden, some games won't be suitable for a sloping garden and for some you will need a lawn area.
More garden games to keep kids entertained:
- Best outdoor toys for toddlers – guaranteed garden fun
- Get bouncing with our best trampolines buying guide
- Cool off in hot weather with the best water tables for kids
