Summer is the perfect time to invite friends and family over for a barbecue in the garden. But what could you do after the delicious meal? We have put together a few great DIY outdoor games for you that guarantee hours of fun. With just a few resources such as pebbles, plastic bottles, paper plates and picnic blankets, you can conjure up several card and board games in the garden. Show your kids that classic games like hopscotch and tic-tac-toe can be a lot more fun than modern gaming consoles and spend the whole day outside!
These DIY outdoor games can keep children and adults entertained for a long time.Gather natural materialsand household items that can be repurposed. A wooden cutting board is perfect as a board for the tic-tac-toe game, while a picnic blanket painted with dots can act as a playing surface for the cheese box game.
Painting stones
Perfect for homemade onesBoard games are also pieces that can be easily and quickly painted like dominoes, ladybugs and bees. For an ordinary domino game you needa total of 28 stoneswith 0-6 eyes each. The stones do not necessarily have to be rectangular.
If you want to play with two people, almost all games are suitable. But there are also those whoonlycan be played by two people and this includes tic-tac-toe. This game can even be made spontaneously because a wide variety of materials can be used. For example, you can use adhesive tape to create a grid on a wooden board like in the picture above.
Not only are suitable game figuresself-painted stones, but also any other natural materials that you can find in the garden: For example, one player can use sticks and the other can use stones. Also leaves, non-toxic berries, flowers andother things are perfectsuitable. The only important thing is that the figures of both players are different from each other.
Play on a blanket
If you have a little more time to prepare, you can also do the variant in the picture above. Since these are light and easy to store things, the Tic-Tac-Toe game can also be easily taken with you on a picnic trip. You need:
- a blanket
- Material for the grid, such as wide adhesive tape or textile strips and textile glue
- Felt, foam rubber or another stable material for circles and X-shapes
- Washable textile pens or chalk for markings
Spread the blanket out and measure the center point (using two diagonals connecting two opposite corners). This will also be the center of the middle square, whose corners are best marked on the blanket. Based on the size of the middle square, measure the other squares and mark the corners as well. Then stick the tape or strips of fabric onto the ceiling along these marks.
For the X marks and circles, first cut from a sheetPaper one template eachwhich you then transfer to the felt or foam rubber. So all shapes become the same. 5 pieces per character should be enough to play.Cut the shapesoff and the game is finished.
Tin can game
This game also requires a certain amount of preparation because you need at least 6 cans of the same size. You can also cover these with colorful paper or even fabric to make them look prettier. Then place the cans on top of each other like a pyramid and the game can begin! If it is intended exclusively for adults, you can also fill some or all of the cans with concrete to make them heavier.
Make your own Twister game
Outdoor board games are very popular. The same goes for Twister. So just combine the two together and create great outdoor games! You can spray the circles onto the lawn with paint or use a white sheet that you can use over and over again. Instead of using the turntable to determine which arm or leg should go with which color, you can simply write on pieces of paper, put them in a container and then draw the cards.
Heaven and hell in the garden
A very popular children's game that adults also enjoy watching. Find a corner in the garden to make your children happy. All you need is a few paving stones or concrete tiles that you paint colorfully and label with numbers.
Scrabble made of cardboard
Of course you could buy Scrabble ready-made as a board game, but what would be so special about that? Instead, make the building blocks out of cardboard, which should preferably be the same size and label them with the letters. On the Internet you can find lists with the necessary number of all letters. What's particularly great is that the game is played over a large area in this way and you always keep moving.
Memory game with cards
Let your children help make the memory cards. You can paint any pictures you want on cardboard, but remember that each picture must appear twice. These don't necessarily have to be identical either. For example, if you paint two palm trees, both should be recognizable as such.
Horseshoe throwing game
A wooden stick and some horseshoes are all you need if you want to make fun outdoor games. These can also be painted to make the game even more interesting. You stick the stick into the grass and try to throw the horseshoes from a greater distance around the stick. Each player can receive an equal number of horseshoes and whoever hits the most wins.
Ringwerfen
And while we're on the subject of games of skill, we'd like to offer you another one that's similar to throwing horseshoes. A few bottles in a box and rings made of rope are enough. Feel free to use multiple colors, with each color earning a different amount of points. Alsofor the beachthis game is suitable.
If you are handy, you can build a game like this using a round wooden board and a few wooden dowels. The middle bar earns the highest points here. Twigs are suitable as rings, the ends of which you glue together and then wrap with adhesive tape. But you can also use other materials. Be creative!
Chess and checkers as games for the garden
Chess and checkers are classic games for two people and are forGarden perfectly suited, but require some preparation. The playing fields even transform into an original garden decoration. The combination of lawn and concrete tiles, for example, is very attractive. But a simple concrete surface, which is then decorated with white squares, is also ideal for outdoor games for adults and children.
If you can't find real chess pieces of the right size, improvise! Draw the figures on paper plates in two different colors and play with them. For checkers you don't even have to draw, you can use the plates as they are.
A large cable spool is also wonderful for the garden. Since it is often used as a small table, it is also perfect for playing chess. Draw the checkerboard pattern on it and you're done. You can also use the normal chess pieces for this.
Bowling in the garden
Do you occasionally snack on Pringles or similar chips? Then save the cans from now on, because they can be used to make bowling pins. If you are looking for game ideas for children and adults that are fun for everyone, bowling should not be missed.
Draw a cone on a piece of paper, cut it open, hold it up to a can and trace the outline. Repeat with the other cans too. Afterwards you can take them with youPaint with acrylic paint as desired.
Is that too complicated for you? Then just use empty bottles! You can also design these with colors, but you don't have to. Since plastic bottles are very light, you can also fill some of them with sand. But each bottle should contain the same amount.
Design the bottles however you want and use a ball that corresponds to the weight of the bottles. Empty bottles can be knocked over with light and small balls, while you should also use larger balls for heavy plastic bottles filled with sand.
