16 Outdoor Picnic Games For Your Next Friends-and-Family Gathering

Pickleball may be America's new favorite sport, but it isn't just for the courts. Whether you're an old pro or a newbie, enjoy a thrilling game of pickleball in your yard with this starter kit from Amazon. The set comes with an easy-to-set-up net, four paddles, eight balls, and a dozen court marker strips to convert any part of your yard into a professional-looking court. Just remember: the longer and thicker the grass, the less your ball will bounce.  The net is on wheels, so it can slide out of the way when your guests are ready to move on to a different game.

An outdoor picnic wouldn't be complete without a game of paddle ball. Guests can challenge one another to see whose birdie can bounce off the paddle the longest without hitting the ground. This particular set comes with four paddles and 10 birdies, which all fit neatly inside a drawstring bag.

There's nothing like squaring off for a good old-fashioned game of volleyball. This classic can be played one-on-one or two-on-two, or a dozen or so of your family and friends can square off against one another to see who can spike the ball the hardest and gain a point against the opposing team.

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Kickball is a playground classic. All you need is an open yard, some bases, a handful of players for each team, and a ball, like this one from the World Kickball Association. Add in the basic knowledge of how baseball works, and you're ready to play ball!

Bocce is one of those games that's simple to learn but less easy to master. Roll your balls as close to the jack—the white ball—as possible. The team that has rolled balls the closest gets the point (or points) for that round. The GoSports bocce set comes with a pallino, eight balls (two each of green, red, blue, and yellow), a canvas bag for storage, and the all-important measuring rope.

On a hot summer day, there's nothing more classic than a water balloon toss. All you need to do is toss the balloon gently enough that it won't fly past your partner but softly enough that it can be caught without breaking. Easy peasy! It's all in the wrist.

The spoon race is all about having the balance, grace, and enough speed to cross the finish line before your opponent. Just about anything can be used to balance on your spoon, from eggs to balloons. Players hurry as fast as they can from one end of the course to the other while keeping what's in the spoon from dropping.

The three-legged race is the ultimate test of teamwork. Pick a partner you can communicate with—or who's at least of similar height—before heading into this classic relay race. Or pair up party guests who haven't met before for a serious icebreaker.

Nothing like pitting two sides of the family against each other in a tug-of-war match! Depending on how competitive your guests are, this may be one game you want to have a referee for. Get a rope, some tape, and the will to win.

A scavenger hunt is fun regardless of the time of year, who puts it on, and its location. A DIY scavenger hunt for your guests doesn't have to be elaborate or fancy. Tie it into your party theme with hidden treasures and clever clues, and watch your guests go for the gold.

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The anticipation of slowly pulling a single wooden block out of a tower is thrilling with tabletop Jenga, but oversized Jenga ups the ante. Standing over three feet high when first set up, these five-inch blocks make quite the racket when they come crashing down. But really, that's all a part of the fun!

Round up four to six players for a classic game of croquet. This beginner-friendly lawn game tests your aim and patience. Players can team up in pairs, or all six can battle individually for the win. Knock your all-weather ball through the nine steel wickets with the durable wooden mallets in this set. When your opponents have had enough, all the pieces neatly fit into the carrying case.

Partake in one of the oldest yard pastimes by playing a round of horseshoes. This game can be set up just about anywhere, as long as the stakes can be driven into the ground. Take it along with you to wherever your picnic will be and toss away.

Cornhole has been the go-to game for outdoor parties since it skyrocketed in popularity around 15 years ago, taking hold in the Midwest before moving out to the coasts. However, enthusiasts say it was originally invented back in the 14th century by Bavarian cabinet maker Matthias Kaupermann. No matter whom we have to thank for the game's invention, it's a favorite at barbecues, picnics, and other gatherings. With a simple setup and easy-to-follow rules, who wouldn't love it?

Ringtoss is the perfect addition to your backyard picnic if you're looking for fun for guests of all ages. This travel-friendly set comes together quickly and has five rope rings that kids and adults can toss onto wooden stakes. All you need is a little hand-eye coordination, and you're good to go.

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While ladder golf is a little more complicated than ringtoss, it's still fun for all ages and significantly easier than golf itself. The classic set comes with two PVC ladders, score trackers, six rubber bolos, rules, and a carrying case to store it in.