17 Fun Backyard Games for Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day is right around the corner, which means four days of big outdoor fun. Your kids might want to double their screentime, but we've got a better idea. It's the end of the summer, so why not get the whole family involved in some backyard games? Aside from being a blast, these games also promote teamwork, boost confidence, and are an excellent family activity.

So fire up the grill, throw on some burgers, and enjoy the last sights and sounds of summer before everyone goes back to school. We've done all the work in choosing the season's best backyard games (and some old-school classics). The only thing left to do is sit back, relax, and get ready to get your game on. Anyone up for a little family-friendly competition?

Capture the Flag

If you're looking for a game that combines tag, football, and dodgeball all in one, Capture the Flag is the perfect backyard game. There's no limit to how many people can be on a team, but each team must have an equal number of players. Each team gets a “flag” to protect, which can be an actual flag or another easily carried object. The playing field is split in half, and each team must defend its side, ultimately protecting its “flag” from being taken.

Players are safe on their side of the field, but are fair game in the other team's territory. If an opposing player is tagged, several things can happen: the tagged player can go to “jail,” which means they're sidelined. Or, they can remain frozen until another team member tags them. Another option is to force the player to be on the opposing team, giving that team the advantage of more players. The goal of the game is to coordinate gameplay, outrun your opposition, and make it back safely to your side of the field for the victory.

• Number of Players: At least four
• Length of Game: Five minutes to an hour, depending on the number of players
• Cost: Free

Kan Jam

The original Kan Jam was invented in the 1980s and was called “Garbage Can Frisbee.” It's pretty similar today, but players can purchase the actual game without the need for garbage cans. Kan Jam is popular at beaches and parks, where cans can be placed at least 50 feet away from one another. The game requires at least four players, and more than that can be divided into teams.

The goal is to get the frisbee into the can, which scores a team three points, the most points available from one turn. Each team consists of two players, with one stationed at each can. The first player must attempt to get the frisbee as close to the can as possible. Their teammate can leave the frisbee alone, let it hit the can without interference, or “deflect” the frisbee so that it goes into the can or hits it.

One point is awarded for a “dinger,” assisted by a teammate to hit the can. Two points are awarded for a “deuce,” which hits the can without teammate assistance. A “dunk” is three points and is awarded when the frisbee goes into the can. The first team to 21 points wins the game.

• Number of Players: At least four
• Length of Game: 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of players
• Cost: $29.97

Cornhole

Classic games are some of the best for a reason, and cornhole is a top choice for backyard fun. It's such a hit that there's now an American Cornhole Association, and competitions occur throughout the U.S. The concept is simple: one board, two teams, and a few bean-filled sacks. Individuals can compete, or you can split into two teams of two. The goal is to rack up as many points as possible until one team hits 21.

Three points are awarded for bags that make it into the hole in the board. One point is awarded for bags that land on the board, and no points are awarded if the ball lands on the ground or bounces before landing on the board. It's an easy game for any age, which makes it one of the most popular backyard games in the country.

• Number of Players: Up to four
• Length of Game: 15 to 45 minutes
• Cost: $40 to $150 (depending on the quality and size of the board)

Freeze Tag

Freeze tag might be simple, but if the whole family is involved, it's a blast. It's one of the simplest backyard games you can play, costs absolutely nothing, and is excellent for all ages. To start, one person gets to be the “tagger” and has the goal of tagging another person to be “it.” You can customize the rules of the game depending on how you want to play.

The person who's “it” can get a time limit to tag someone else, or they can run after other players indefinitely until someone is tagged. You can also have teams, where players on the same team can tag-team one another to get an advantage. No matter how you play, freeze tag is always a hit.

• Number of Players: At least three
• Length of Game: Up to players
• Cost: Free

Disc Golf

This game is an investment, but it promises to deliver on fun. If your family appreciates skill and accuracy when it comes to backyard games, disc golf is a great option. Similar to Kan Jam, this game requires a good arm to score points. You'll need a disc golf basket and throwing discs, but that's it!

The goal of the game is to sink the discs into the basket with as few throws as possible. Disc golf combines traditional golf with Frisbee, and players must throw the disc as close to the basket as they can. Each throw picks up where the last left off, until players eventually get their disc to the target. Similar to golf, the player with the fewest pars, or strokes, wins the round.

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: Varies depending on the “course” or distance to the basket
• Cost: $50 to $160 for the basket, $21 to $40 for the discs

Ghost in the Graveyard

Don't let the title of this game fool you, Ghost in the Graveyard can be played any time of the year! This game is a combination of tag and hide and seek, but some would argue that it's more fun than both of them. It doesn't have many rules, but players must be skilled at hiding to play it well!

Ghost in the Graveyard begins with one person being the “ghost” who hides while the rest of the players search for them. Once someone finds the ghost, they must yell, “Ghost in the graveyard!” This signals to the rest of the players that they need to return to the predetermined safe space. If all players make it back, the game begins again with the same ghost. If the ghost tags another player, the game starts again with a new ghost in the graveyard. For an added challenge (and some spooky atmosphere), play this game at dusk or after dark by flashlight!

• Number of Players: At least three
• Length of Game: Varies based on the number of players
• Cost: Free

Red Rover

Red Rover is a test of strength, but it's also a fun family game. And trust us — your family will be putting the “labor” in Labor Day when fighting to get a spot on the other team! This game requires at least six players, so it's also an excellent option for those with large families or friends visiting for the weekend.

To start, each team must have the same number of players. Each player links arms to form a human chain and then decides who to call over to their side. After singing, “Red Rover, Red Rover, we call <insert name here> over!”, it's that person's job to break through the human chain. If they do, they go back to their team. If not, they must join the opposing team. The game ends when one team has managed to gain all the players from the other side.

• Number of Players: At least six
• Length of Game: 15 to 30 minutes
• Cost: Free

Giant Jenga

Jenga is typically an indoor game, unless you have the space to topple a massive Jenga tower. Giant Jenga is a game best played outdoors, making it an ideal Labor Day game. It's played just like classic Jenga, with wooden blocks stacked high as each team removes one at a time.

The difference between regular Jenga and Giant Jenga is that when the blocks fall, they make for a far more dramatic scene. There's more at stake when the blocks require two hands to carry, and it's a blast to play in large teams. As each team pulls a block and holds their breath, you never know when the entire tower could come tumbling down. And that's half the fun!

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: 5 minutes to an hour
• Cost: $46 to $70

Ring Toss

If you've got a good eye and decent aim, ring toss is a great Labor Day game. Even if you don't, it's still fun to try! The concept of this game is simple, but variations on the ring boards can make it more challenging. You can find anything from inflatable ring toss for the pool to classic wooden ring toss or elevated ring toss for the backyard.

Keeping score in this game is easy: one ring equals one point. The first team or player to reach the predetermined number of points wins the game. You can also mix up the rules of this game, such as adding more distance or changing the number of attempts a player has.

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: Varies depending on the number of players
• Cost: $10 to $40

Scavenger Hunt

The best thing about a scavenger hunt is that it can be fully customized to your home and yard. If you end up with a rainy Labor Day weekend, this game can easily be taken indoors and will be just as much fun.

You can make a scavenger hunt as challenging, easy, or diverse as you want, and even give players different lists to scavenge. Hiding everyday objects makes the game more difficult, while hiding unusual things can make it more interesting. Anything goes, and it's a great way to get kids outdoors and using their hunting skills!

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: Depends on the difficulty of hidden items
• Cost: Free

Obstacle Course

An obstacle course is another excellent way to use what you have on hand to plan a Labor Day weekend game. Surprisingly, this can be just as much fun for adults as it is for kids! With a bit of ingenuity and creative thinking, you can take a boring backyard to a real-life game of “The Floor is Lava.”

A wooden plank balanced on two pieces of concrete makes the perfect parapet, while a kiddie pool makes an ideal “river crossing.” Adding items to jump over and scooters or bikes to get to the next area creates a dynamic obstacle course.

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: Varies depending on the length of the obstacle course
• Cost: Free

Bocce Ball

Bocce Ball is a fun Labor Day game for teens, and they'll love the skill it takes to master this game. It has a long history as a lawn game, and doesn't require much space or large teams. Each game begins with one player throwing the Jack, a small white ball that serves as a target. Then, each team takes turns throwing their balls as close to the Jack as possible.

Bocce Ball sets come with a measuring tool, which helps determine which ball is closest to the Jack. After several rounds, the player or team with the most points wins the game. It might not seem like much is involved in such a simple game, but you'd be surprised at the coordination needed to win.

• Number of Players: 2 to 8
• Length of Game: 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of rounds
• Cost: $27 to $60

Water Dodgeball

If you're lucky enough to have a hot Labor Day Weekend, water dodgeball is a fun way to cool down. This game is played just like regular dodgeball, but with water balloons instead. Rather than picking up a ball to throw at the opposing team from the designated line, players throw water balloons. If the ball lands on the ground unpopped, it can be used again by the other team. When a balloon pops on the ground, the player who threw it must run back to the central point to collect another balloon, and then run back to the designated throwing line.

If you don't want to use rubber balloons, Scouts has a great tutorial on how to make reusable “balloons” with a sponge and some string. This is also a great way to play without risking running out of water balloons. We can promise fun, but can't promise that you won't want to be eliminated if it's hot out!

• Number of Players: At least four
• Length of Game: Varies depending on the number of players
• Cost: Under $20

Giant Checkers

Checkers is a game that's fun for the whole family, with the only limiting factor being that it's for two people. For smaller families, this would be a good, low-key Labor Day game option. Some giant boards even double a chessboard, which is perfect if you have any grandmasters in the house ready to show off their moves.

Giant checkers is easy to set up outdoors and can be fun for spectators. It comes in various sizes, which can make it all the more fun when you have huge pieces to move around. The only drawback is having to set up the board again when the fun is all over!

• Number of Players: 2
• Length of Game: 15 to 45 minutes
• Cost: $14 to $50

Lawn Bowling

If you're a family of bowlers, lawn bowling is the challenge you're looking for. This oversized bowling game is easy to set up and simple to play. Just knock as many pins down as you can! It doesn't take up much space, although you will need a mostly flat area to set this up.

Most lawn bowling sets come with wooden pins, which are easy to balance and set up after each round. The ball is also made of wood, and it's relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle regardless of age. You don't even need a designated lane, just enough room to get a rolling start!

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: 15 minutes to an hour
• Cost: $10 to $40

Croquet

Croquet is a structured game with some rules to learn, but it's well worth the study. It can be fiercely competitive or a casual lawn game, depending on the backyard game vibe you're seeking. This is a great chance to involve teens and older kids in a game that's fun, entertaining, and fast-paced.

The main goal is for one team to be the first to get their set of balls through the croquet hoops. You can knock the other team's balls out of the way, make strategic plays, and learn different move sets with the mallet. Overall, it's a great game to learn during a long holiday weekend like Labor Day.

• Number of Players: 2 to 4
• Length of Game: 20 minutes to an hour
• Cost: $40 to $60

Ball Catch and Toss

Playing catch is a fun way to pass the time, but Ball Catch and Toss takes gameplay up a notch. This game is played with a velcro catching mitt and a ball designed to stick to its course surface. It allows players to make dramatic catches, dives, and jumps to reach a throw they'd otherwise miss with a regular glove.

This game has no limit on the number of players as long as everyone has a velcro glove. The goal is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible without letting it drop. It's a simple yet exciting game to play with the whole family.

• Number of Players: At least two
• Length of Game: 15 to 45 minutes (or as long as the ball remains in play)
• Cost: $5 to $15

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