All About Indoor and Outdoor Games for Your Next Party

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Are you looking for ways to make your party exciting and engaging for guests? I’ve created an epic lineup of indoor and outdoor party games and entertainment that will have your guests asking when the next party is! Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, a backyard barbecue, a casual hangout, or a family fun night, I’ve got you covered my friend!

Outdoor Party Games:

Let’s kick things off with some outdoor fun in the sun! There’s nothing quite like soaking up the great outdoors while enjoying some friendly competition with your pals. Here are some top picks for outdoor party games that are sure to bring out everyone’s playful spirit:

For the Kids:

1. Treasure Hunt: Ahoy, mateys! Set sail on a thrilling treasure hunt adventure and hunt for hidden treasures scattered throughout your backyard. Kudos for leaving clues at each checkpoint for the next spot on the map! Note: golden doubloons (chocolates) are a fun party favor. 
2. Sack Race: It’s a classic for a reason! Hop your way to victory in a good old-fashioned sack race that will have everyone laughing and cheering. You can DIY the sacks with affordable fabrics from Joanne’s or even a thrift store curtain.
3. Water Balloon Toss: Beat the heat with a splash-tastic water balloon toss where teams compete to see who can go the distance without dropping their balloon.
4. Water Balloon Dodgeball: Where you have two teams. The team who has the last kid standing wins.
5. Water Balloon Musical Chairs: Musical chairs but with the added fun of water balloons to help keep the kids cool in the summer heat.
6. Obstacle Course: Get your adrenaline pumping with an action-packed obstacle course featuring tunnels, cones, and other exciting challenges. Use washable lawn spray paint to draw out boundaries. Use a timer and score board for the competitive kids.
7. Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Blindfolded and ready for fun, kids take turns trying to pin the tail on the donkey in this timeless party game. Instead of a Donkey, use any character that fits the theme of the party. Such as: Pin the braid on Rapunzel or pin the cape on the superhero.  Get creative and have fun.
8. Nerf War Paintball: This is a great one to play if you are hosting a birthday at a park that has big equipment. Strategically place nerf dart refills throughout the park. Add “health packs” or “treasure bags” throughout the park as well. The kids each pick their nerf gun of choice and have 30 seconds to get into position. Sound the horns and their off. First to find the birthday kids photo wins!

For the Teens:

1. Lawn Twister: Turn your lawn into a colorful canvas with a game of lawn twister that’ll have everyone bending, twisting, and contorting in hilarious positions.
2. Capture the Flag: Divide into teams and embark on an epic battle to capture the enemy’s flag while dodging obstacles and outsmarting opponents.
3. Giant Jenga: Think you’ve got nerves of steel? Put them to the test with a giant game of Jenga where the stakes are higher, and the blocks are bigger. Add extra fun by getting multiple giant yard games for larger parties.
4. Human Foosball: Get ready for some larger-than-life fun with a human foosball game that’ll have everyone laughing and cheering as they try to score goals.
5. Can-Jam: This game uses frisbees and plastic cans to create a fun game with teams. I once spent an entire summer playing this game and somehow never got any better at frisbee. We even found a frisbee that played music to amp up the fun!
6. Water Balloon Paintball: Party Favors they can wear over and again. Hand out white shirts and use reusable water balloons in watercolor buckets and go to splash town! If you don’t want to do the water element, consider using white shirts and cornstarch dyed with FDA-approved food dye. Either one of these would make for memorable photo ops.
7. Glow-In-The-Dark Bubble Dance Party: If your party is going past dusk, you’ve got to wear these energy monsters out! Hand out some always fun glow sticks, turn on some great tunes, and some bubble machines and you’ve just made these kids the entire night. Toss out some beach balls and get your groove on!

For the Adults:

1. Cornhole (Bean Bag Toss): Grab a cold one and get ready to show off your tossing skills in a game of cornhole that’s perfect for backyard barbecues, birthdays, and tailgate parties.
2. Volleyball Tournament: Spike, set, and serve your way to victory in a friendly game of volleyball that’s sure to get everyone moving and grooving.
3. Lawn Bowling: Roll out the fun with a game of lawn bowling that’s equal parts skill and strategy, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the backyard.
4. Picnic Blanket Bingo: Grab your lucky charms and get ready to yell “bingo!” in a game of picnic blanket bingo that’s perfect for laid-back outdoor gatherings.
5. Giant Beer Pong: Take your party to the next level with a supersized game of beer pong featuring oversized buckets and balls for maximum fun.

For All Ages:

1. Three-Legged Race: Get ready to tie yourselves together and race to the finish line in a hilarious game of three-legged fun that’s perfect for all ages.
2. Tug of War: It’s a battle of strength and strategy as teams go head-to-head in a classic game of tug of war that’s guaranteed to get everyone cheering. You could set up a whole field day of activities. Those were the days!
3. Balloon Pop Relay: Teams race against the clock to pop balloons by sitting on them in this fast-paced and frantic game that’s perfect for parties of all sizes.
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss: Light up the night with a glow-in-the-dark ring toss game that’s perfect for evening parties and outdoor gatherings.
5. Giant Connect Four: Go big or go home with a giant-sized version of the classic game of Connect Four that’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
6. Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a projector and screen then kick back under the stars for an outdoor movie experience. I have personally done this throughout the summer for the last several years. Whether I do a cook-out, potluck or birthday celebration, it always feels special and fun! Don’t forget the ambience, citronella candles and plenty of popcorn!

Indoor Party Games:

If the weather’s not cooperating, you are planning a celebration in the cooler months, or are just looking for some indoor fun, I have plenty of  indoor party games to keep the good times rolling:

For the Kids:

1. Musical Chairs: Round and round we go! Kids compete to snag a seat when the music stops in this classic game of musical chairs.
2. Simon Says: Get ready to follow the leader in a game of Simon Says where only the quickest and most attentive players will come out on top. For extra fun, use the guest of honors name instead of Simon.
3. Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Let the hunt begin! Kids use their sleuthing skills to track down hidden treasures and solve clues in this exciting indoor adventure.
4. Dance Party: Crank up the tunes and let loose on the dance floor in a high-energy dance party that’s perfect for burning off some extra energy.
5. DIY Dessert Station: One of my faves. Kids go crazy over creating their own dessert. Set up a whole station where they can pick from multiple cups full of different ice cream toppings or just set up kits for each kid to craft their own mouthwatering masterpieces.

For the Teens:

1. Karaoke Contest: Take center stage and belt out your favorite tunes in a karaoke contest that’s guaranteed to bring down the house.
2. Board Game Marathon: Gather your friends and break out the board games for an epic game night filled with laughter, strategy, and plenty of friendly competition.
3. DIY Photo Booth: Strike a pose and capture memories in a DIY photo booth complete with props and backdrops for instant photo fun. Note: having a polaroid camera and photo wall at the booth can also double as a gift for the guest of honor at the end of the party.
4. Indoor Nerf War: Gear up and get ready for battle in an indoor Nerf war that’ll have everyone ducking, dodging, and diving for cover. Side note I know you just pictured that coach from the movie “Dodgeball”, lol.
5. Minute to Win It Challenges: Put your skills to the test in a series of minute to win it challenges that’ll have you racing against the clock to complete wacky and wild tasks.

For the Adults:

1. Trivia Night: Put your knowledge to the test in a trivia night showdown that’ll challenge your wits and keep you on your toes.
2. Murder Mystery Dinner Party: Channel your inner detective in a murder mystery dinner party that’s equal parts intrigue, suspense, and delicious food. Try to pair the food with the murder mystery theme for added effect.
3. Indoor Mini Golf: Tee up and get ready to sink some holes in a game of indoor mini golf that’ll put your putting skills to the test.
4. Charades: Act out your favorite movies, books, and songs in a game of charades that’s perfect for breaking the ice and getting everyone laughing.
5. Escape Room Challenge: Put your problem-solving skills to the test in an escape room challenge that’ll have you working together to crack codes, solve puzzles, and escape before time runs out.
6. Poker Tournament Night: Have guests ready to try their hand at your next party. Fun Fact: My sister delt in the Las Vegas World poker Tour for a few years. Has this helped my understanding of the game? No.

For All Ages:

1. Pictionary: Grab a marker and let your imagination run wild in a game of Pictionary that’s perfect for family fun nights and friendly competitions.
2. Family Feud: Survey says… it’s time to play Family Feud! Gather your friends and family and see who can come out on top in this classic game show showdown.
3. Bingo: Get your daubers ready y’all for a game of bingo that’s fun for all ages and perfect for parties of all sizes. Have fun prizes to give out to the winners and throw some gag gifts in to spice it up.
4. Indoor Bowling: Roll out the fun with a game of indoor bowling that’s perfect for rainy days and indoor gatherings.
5. Card Games: Break out the deck of cards and challenge your friends and family to a game of poker, rummy, or your favorite card game for endless hours of entertainment.
6. DIY Craft Stations: Unleash your creativity with a DIY craft station where guests can let their imaginations run wild and create their own masterpieces to take home. Some examples of this could be decorate your own cupcakes, paint and sip parties, a build your own Christmas card, picture frame, or micro-terrarium. Um, I’m coming to the party if you have a craft element!

Entertainment Ideas:

But wait, there’s more! Take your party to the next level with these extra entertainment ideas that’ll add a touch of magic and excitement to your event:

1. Live Music or DJ: Get the party started with live music or a DJ spinning your favorite tunes all night long. Even if you don’t spring for live entertainment, consider planning out a playlist to really set the tone for your party.
2. DIY Cocktail Bar: Mix and mingle while concocting your own signature cocktails at a DIY cocktail bar. Have drink recipes displayed to inspire guests’ creativity. Note: a great party favor could be for them to pick their favorite recipe card with proper ingredients elegantly tied together.
3. Photo Booth: Strike a pose and capture memories in a themed photo booth complete with props and backdrops. There are plenty of companies to rent the backdrops and booths. Or just DIY the backdrop and have people use their phones. Kudos if you display a QR code close by for everyone to scan, tag and share their photos from the night.
4. Fire Pit and S’mores Bar: Cozy up around a crackling fire pit and indulge in gooey s’mores for the ultimate outdoor experience. Great during the summer but this is especially fun in early fall when the evenings are cooler but not cold yet and you can enjoy the warmth from the fire. 
5. Don’t Forget the Food: I know food isn’t typically considered “entertainment” but what if it was! There are so many ways you can get your guests involved with the food element of a party. Have stations for guests to build their own plates and take some pressure off yourself. Or hire a food truck to cater for your celebration.

For more about food and décor ideas check out the article I wrote about that very thing here! With these indoor and outdoor party games and entertainment ideas, you can pump up the fun and turn those inspired ideas into memories made! If you try any of these ideas, I would genuinely love to see how it came out! Or share by commenting any of your own fun ideas here too!

Starting the fire,

Anna

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