Looking for ways to keep your guests entertained at your backyard grad party? Here are 15 insanely fun outdoor graduation party games.
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It’s almost graduation party season! That means it’s time to start figuring out how to throw the most epic grad party of all time.
As fun as graduation parties can be, they can sometimes feel like they’re dragging on.
If you don’t want your guests to get bored, you definitely need to put out some fun party games. In this post, we’ve compiled 15 crowd-pleasing graduation party games to play.
The Best Outdoor Graduation Party Games
1. Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is a classic game for an outdoor graduation party. Pretty much everyone already knows how to play Jenga so it’ll definitely be a crowd pleaser.
A really cool idea that I’ve seen is having each guest write a nice little note on each Jenga block for the graduate. It’s a guest book and party game all in one!
How many players: 2 or more
Time to set up: 2 minutes
2. Spikeball
Spikeball is one of the best outdoor graduation party games if you have a lot of active friends and family.
The game is inspired by volleyball, so there are a lot of similarities in the rules.
A game of Spikeball will definitely get some friendly competition going between your graduation party guests!
How many players: 4 players (2 teams of two)
Time to set up: 1 minute (after initial assembly)
3. Grad Libs
Looking for a fun graduation-themed party game? Grad Libs is a super fun fill-in-the-blank designed to give funny (or serious) advice for the graduate.
Grad Libs Party Game
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Guests fill in the sheets with words that fit the category. Then the words are transferred over to the story sheets. Expect a ton of laughs and ridiculous advice given!
How many players: the whole party can play this game!
Time to set up: 5-10 minutes to distribute the sheets and explain the rules
4. Yardzee
Have you ever played Yahtzee? This is the giant outdoor version of the classic game.
To play the game, each person rolls the dice up to 3 times, each time choosing which dice to keep or re-roll.
There are different combinations that you want to get throughout the game and you keep track of your score on the provided scorecard. Here are the full rules if you’ve never played Yahtzee.
How many players: 2+
Time to set up: 0 minutes
5. Giant Left Right Center
I recently played Left Right Center at a party and I am OBSESSED! It’s such a fun party game and I can’t believe I had never played it before.
If you’ve never played, it’s super easy. Each player takes turns rolling the three dice. If you get a “right” side you have to pass a chip to the right, “left” to the left, and “center” means you put one chip in the middle of the table.
Continue around, only rolling the amount of dice that corresponds to the number of chips you have left. The last player who still has chips wins the game.
How many players: 3+
Time to set up: 0 minutes
6. Lawn Bowling
I think pretty much everyone knows how to play lawn bowling!
This one is a little bit more time consuming because you have to keep setting it up, but it’s definitely worth the hassle.
How many players: 1+
Time to set up: 2 minutes
7. Ring Toss
For a game that is so simple to play, ring toss is honestly SO much fun. You basically just toss the ring and try to get it on the hook.
The set linked above needs to be mounted on something, so make sure you’re okay with drilling into a wall or post.
However, there are also tabletop sets available if you’re not totally committed to installing anything in your backyard.
How many players: 1+
Time to set up: 0 minutes (after installation)
8. Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball is another classic yard game that would be really fun to play at a backyard graduation party.
$29.99
03/13/2024 07:37 pm GMT
If you’ve never played before, you pretty much just try to get your ball as close as you can to the small white ball that gets thrown first.
It’s a really simple game that’s great for all ages.
How many players: 2-8
Time to set up: 0 minutes
9. Giant Connect Four
Connect Four was one of my favorite games as a kid, and the giant version is so much fun for parties!
I’m obsessed with this aesthetic wooden set, but you can also just get the plastic version if you want to save some money.
How many players: 2-4
Time to set up: 2 minutes
10. Crossnet
I had actually never heard of this game before, but it looks like so much fun! It’s basically a combination of volleyball and four square.
The height is adjustable, so it’s the perfect active outdoor game for all ages.
How many players: 4
Time to set up: 10 minutes
11. Potato Sack Race
If you’re going to be having a lot of kids at your outdoor graduation party, they’ll absolutely love doing potato sack races.
This set actually includes the equipment for sack races, egg and spoon races, and three legged races.
If you want to include more of your guests at once, definitely consider buying a second set.
How many players: 4-8 players
Time to set up: 5 minutes
12. Bucket Ball
Bucket Ball is basically like a giant version of beer pong that can be played outside.
It’s one of my favorite outdoor graduation party games.
How many players: 2-4
Time to set up: 10 minutes
13. Ladder Toss
One yard game that seems to be at just about every party is ladder toss. It’s a classic party game that pretty much everyone knows how to play.
I am obsessed with this wood and white version, but it’s a little bit pricier!
If you’re not as crazy about aesthetics as I am, you can definitely just go with the colorful plastic version for your backyard graduation party.
How many players: 2-4 players
Time to set up: 5 minutes
14. Cornhole (Bag Toss)
Pretty much everyone has played corn hole (also called bag toss) at some point. It’s such a common yard game and super easy to play!
If you don’t already own a bag toss set, you definitely need to get one for your party.
How many players: 2-4 players
Time to set up: 2 minutes
15. Horseshoes
Another easy game for outdoor graduation parties is Horseshoes.
I really like this set because it comes with equipment for playing indoors or outdoors. It’s also made of rubber so it’s safer for all ages.
How many players: 2-4 players
Time to set up: 2 minutes
This post was all about the best outdoor graduation party games.
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