Outdoor party games are serious summertime staples. With the weather hotter than blazes, you might be tempted to spend all your time in the air conditioning or out at the beach, but on those precious days when the breeze is just right, you've got to get outside! Whether you're hosting a laid back barbecue or hanging with your best friends in the park, outdoor party games will keep things lively, with just enough competition to ensure you all have a great time!
Sometimes you just have to indulge the kid inside of you. Whether you're a teenager or a thirtysomething, you have to admit that Simon Says is the bomb.com. (I really just said that; I'm sorry.) Anyway, Simon Says is one of the best outdoor party games when you're just looking to be silly. It's fun for adults and kids, but if the adults are a little tipsy, the entertainment value skyrockets.
Oh yes, you can play Twister outside! I dare say it's more fun outside than in, because you can use chalk or paint to draw the circles on the grass and play out under the stars – or the sprinklers, if it's a particularly hot day. Sometimes there's just nothing better than rolling around in the grass.
I remember paying thousands of games of horseshoes as a child. I learned from my father and my grandfather, who hosted a family reunion every summer. This game always featured heavily, and it was even fun for the tots who couldn't throw the horseshoes very far. Of course, my grandfather and great-uncles frequently played with a beer in hand, making for some very colorful insults full of Southern patois. Anyway, if you don't have a pit, no worries. Games like lawn darts and ring tosses are just as fun.
Frisbee is a classic outdoor party game, in part because everyone can play. Whether you're in the backyard or on the beach, tossing the Frisbee around is great activity. You can keep it laid back or encourage some friendly competition, it's up to you!
I never got this game as a kid, but now that I'm older, I appreciate the cutthroat nature of whacking the hell out of someone's ball. You might consider this a game better suited to backyard high teas and things like that, but don't get it twisted. People can take croquet very seriously, so you might want to reconsider pulling out the mallets. Just don't go all Heathers or anything.
No matter how old you are, Hide & Seek is just thrilling. There's a reason the kids get all shriek-tastic when they play. You'll feel that same thrill as an adult, which is why this is a great game to play as dusk comes down, after everyone's had a few drinks and a good dinner.
Same goes for Freeze Tag – or TV Tag, or Pop Culture Tag, or whatever version you choose to play. It might seem childish, but if you haven't played it since you were a kid, give it a try. The best part is that you're older now, so there's more fun in a little mischievous cheating.
Outdoor party games are fun for guests of all ages – face it, you don't have to be a tween to love a good game of Twister! Playing games will keep things entertaining while encouraging lots of activity, which is especially ideal after a meal of hot dogs and burgers. What are your favorite outdoor games?