There’s nothing quite like a picnic with friends on a beautiful sunny day. The fresh air, the delicious food, and the company of your favorite people – it’s the perfect recipe for making wonderful memories. But you know what can make a picnic even more fun and memorable? Adding in some outdoor games!
As soon as the weather starts warming up, being outside becomes a top priority. Picnics are such a popular spring and summer activity because they allow you to enjoy a meal outdoors while basking in the great weather. There’s just something so enjoyable about eating outside that makes the food taste even better!
While classic picnic foods like sandwiches, salads, and portable side dishes are certainly essential, they aren’t the only thing you should pack for your next picnic with friends. Don’t forget to bring along some fun outdoor games too! A little friendly competition and playful activities can add so much to the whole experience.
To help you plan an epically fun picnic with your crew, I’ve rounded up some fantastic outdoor game ideas that are guaranteed to provide endless laughs and good times in the sunshine. From classic backyard favorites to clever DIY projects, these picnic games will turn your gathering into an unforgettable event.
Get Ready for Some Friendly Competition
One of the best things about picnic games is that they encourage some healthy competition between friends. There’s nothing quite like a little good-natured rivalry to bring out everyone’s playful side! Crank up the fun by breaking into teams for awesome outdoor games like:
Tug of War
You can really get the adrenaline pumping with a simple but extremely entertaining game of tug of war. Just split your group into two even teams, find a long rope, mark the middle, and see which side has the most muscle power. The tug of war is sure to spark lots of trash-talking and laughter as everyone digs in their heels and pulls with all their might. It’s an outdoor games classic that never gets old! Just be sure to establish some boundaries and play in a grassy area to avoid any tumbles.
DIY Cornhole
Cornhole is a beloved backyard game, and it’s easy to see why. The straightforward rules (toss beanbags at an angled board and try to get them through the hole), mixed with the perfect balance of skill and chance, creates a game that’s both easy to learn and insanely addictive. Taking it to your picnic adds a nice dose of competition.
To make things even more fun, you can customize your very own portable cornhole set. Decorate the boards however you like, and make the beanbags out of beloved t-shirts or printed fabric to give your set some personality. You can even use lightweight materials to ensure it’s easy to transport to your picnic spot. Having your own unique DIY set makes this classic outdoor game feel extra special.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that a hot dog eating contest may not be for everyone. But if you have some brave (and hungry) souls in your group, why not turn your picnic hot dogs into an epic eating competition? See who can scarf down the most dogs and be crowned the winner. You could even make a prize for the champ, like being exempt from cleanup duties or getting control of the music for the day. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand!
Backyard Classics for a Dose of Nostalgia
In addition to competitive outdoor games, no picnic is complete without some nostalgic classics that’ll have you feeling like a kid again. Simple games from your childhood, like hide and seek or blowing bubbles, instantly bring a sense of carefree fun.
Hide and Seek
The game needs no introduction – one person is “it” and counts while the others go hide, then they try to find all the hiders without getting spotted. Hide and seek is the ultimate retro outdoor game, and it’s easy to see why it’s remained so popular over the decades. It’s an absolute blast no matter your age!
To maximize the fun, try to picnic somewhere with lots of trees, bushes, structures, or other prime hiding spots to make the game more challenging. You could even establish a boundary area to confine the hiding zones. Alternatively, you can always just play in a backyard if that’s more convenient for your picnic locale. No matter where you play, you’re sure to get a kick out of this nostalgic gem.
Bubble Blowing Contest
When’s the last time you had an epic bubble blowing contest? If you’re anything like me, it’s been far too long! This is one of those gloriously simple outdoor games that brings out everyone’s inner child. All you need is a bubble solution and a wand, and you’re ready for frothy fun.
To keep things interesting, have a competition to see who can blow the biggest bubble before it pops. The person who triumphs gets a small prize or simply serious bragging rights. You could even switch it up with other bubble blowing challenges like seeing who can blow the most bubbles at once or create funky shapes. It’s a silly good time!
Get Crafty with DIY Outdoor Game Ideas
If you’re feeling a bit creative and crafty, you can also make your very own DIY outdoor games to bring to your picnic. There are tons of awesome tutorials online for turning basic materials into awesome oversized classic games perfect for playing outside with friends.
Life-Size KerPlunk
Who didn’t love the classic tabletop game KerPlunk as a kid? It was always such a thrill pulling out those little straws and watching the marbles plummet down – that is, until you pulled the wrong one and sent them all tumbling!
Well now you can experience that same excitement on a massive scale by making a life-size KerPlunk set for the outdoors. Use simple materials like a plastic tarp, paper towel tubes, and ball pit balls to create your own backyard version. This easy DIY is sure to be a huge hit with kids and adults alike at your next picnic!
Jumbo Ring Toss
Ring toss never goes out of style, and making it jumbo-sized and outdoors only increases the fun factor. All you need are some colorful hooks or rings (you can reuse ones from an old wreath or other decor) and anchor them somehow in the ground, whether that’s in the grass, in a sandbox, or even burying part of a bucket.
Then take turns tossing your rings and trying to hook them around the targets from a distance! You can adjust the difficulty by playing closer or further away. To keep things interesting, award different point values for each hook. Ring toss is simple but wildly entertaining, especially when you can play it bigger and better outdoors.
Giant Scrabble
Are you a word nerd or just someone who loves a fun game of Scrabble with buddies? Then you’ll definitely want to make a gigantic Scrabble set to bring to your picnic. With a large piece of plywood painted with the classic board layout, and extra-large letter tiles (you can buy or DIY these), you’ll be all set for an epically oversized game.
If it’s competitive enough, the taunting and bragging between players about their prolific vocabulary may even rival the funof Words with Friends! Just be sure to post some sunshade near your Scrabble zone. After all, you’ll need to focus to dominate at this longstanding favorite.
Hook and Ring Game
For a game that’s a bit quicker and more lighthearted, have a DIY hook and ring toss contest! All you need are some hooks or anchors, some rings, and strings to connect them. This is the kind of simple but incredibly addictive game that’s perfect for a picnic setting.
The goal is to swing your ring and try to hook it around the target. You can pick these up super cheap at any hardware store. Make a tournament bracket and have a showdown to see who has the best skills. For an extra crafty touch, you can decorate your hooks and rings for a Instagram-worthy setup.
With so many fantastic options for outdoor games, your picnic with friends is sure to be an absolute blast! Whether you go for uber-competitive team games or prefer to kick back and embrace nostalgic pastimes, there’s something for everyone. Mix and match these game ideas to create the ideal afternoon or evening of fun in the sun.
So don’t forget to pack up some outdoor game supplies and activities along with all those picnic baskets and blankets. A few rounds of friendly competition and playful antics are guaranteed to turn your picnic into an event that you and your friends will be talking about and reminiscing over for years to come. Let the games begin!
