The Best Backyard Games for 2023

Badminton is a backyard classic, and it’s a great game to have on hand for outdoor get-togethers. To play, you’ll need a net, shuttlecock (you might know it better as a “birdie”) and at least four badminton racquets so you can play doubles. If you’re just getting started, consider buying a complete badminton set that has everything you need to play. When a player/team fails to return the birdie over the net, the other side gets a point. Points are scored after every serve, and the first player/team to reach 21 points wins.

Do your kids love to play wiffle ball? Then it’s time to try blitzball, a game meant to keep the batter guessing every time they play! Blitzballs provides more speed, distance and curve than traditional baseballs. The set, which includes a plastic power bat and one blitzball, offers great backyard fun for all ages. You’ll be sure to strike out your opponent when they step up to the plate for some fun with this exciting new approach to a backyard classic.

If you’ve never played bocce, you’re missing out. Bocce is one of the oldest-known lawn games in the world, and it can be enjoyed with up to eight players of all ages. A bocce ball set will include everything you need to play: eight bocce balls and a smaller ball called the pallino. To start the game, a team will toss out the pallino which then becomes the target. Teams will then alternate tossing bocce balls toward the pallino, trying to get as close as possible.

You can also try to knock your opponents’ balls away from the pallino, which adds a level of competitive fun. Whichever team is closest to the pallino at the end of the frame gets a point — if a team has multiple balls closer to the pallino than the opponent’s closest ball, they will receive a point for each one. Whichever team scores in the frame throws out the pallino to start the next frame. Play continues in this manner until one side reaches 12 points (or whatever amount you decide).

At DICK’S, you’ll find a great selection of bocce ball sets from top brands. Learn more about this classic yard game with our guide on how to play bocce.

Ready for some ultimate competitive fun? The CROSSNET Volleyball Game Set includes everything you need for your next pickup game: travel backpack, volleyball and pump. This net is designed in a four-square configuration, giving it an exciting twist to a classic game. The rules are simple — grab four players (one per square) and play to 11 points. The winner must win by two! It sets up quickly and easily, adjusts to men’s, women’s and youth regulation heights and is ready for your next backyard bash.

Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a hugely popular sport played all over the world. Why? It’s fun, easy to play and energizing. It’s a game in which players attempt to throw a frisbee disc from a tee box into a standing basket. It is similar to traditional golf in that players try to get their disc into the basket in the least number of throws, or strokes. The player with the least number of strokes in a round, which is 18 holes, wins.

Requiring very little equipment, DICK’S is your one-stop shop for everything you’ll need to hit the course. Shop online or visit your to browse the complete assortment and find the frisbee disc that’s perfect for you.

Put your Frisbee skills to the test with KanJam. How does it work? You’ll set up the two black “kans” at opposite ends of the yard – the regulation distance is 50 feet, but do whatever works for you. You and a teammate will stand at opposite kans. One player will throw the disc while the other can try to deflect it to hit the kan (one point) or, better yet, land inside of the kan (two points). If the disc hits the kan without any assistance from a teammate, you get three points, and if you can manage to throw the disc through the slot on the front of the kan, you win instantly.

The official KanJam game comes complete with two durable kans and an official 168-gram KanJam disc. 

Find out everything you need to know to get started with our article on how to play KanJam.

PaddleSmash is the next beach or backyard game that combines the best elements of pickleball and spikeball. It’s played 2 vs. 2 with teammates starting on opposite sides of the court. To serve, players strike down on the ball so that it hits off the court to their teammate. Teams then get up to three alternating hits (think bump, set, match) to hit the ball back into the court. Points are scored when 1) the ball does not clear the net in a single bounce, or 2) the ball hits the ground. The first team to score 11 points wins.

Perfect for playing in your backyard or at the beach, PaddleSmash is a fun and easy-to-learn game for family and friends.

Volleyball is an exhilarating sport that can be enjoyed indoors or at the beach. Played by two teams, usually consisting of six players on each side, players use their hands to bat the ball back and forth over the net. The goal is to try to make the ball touch the court within the opponents’ playing area before it can be returned. A team is allowed only three touches of the ball before it must be returned over the net. Only one point at a time is scored for a successful play, and the first team to score 25 points (that is ahead by two or more points) wins.

Check out our guide on volleyball positions and their roles to learn the basics.