Hosting an outdoor party is a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful weather and release stress while bonding with your friends. But what’s a party without some fun outdoor games? College students are always looking for new and exciting party ideas on or off campus, so why not plan an outdoor party with a variety of outdoor games that everyone can enjoy? Whether you’re hosting a pool party, game night, beach party, or simply want to have a fun outdoor activity, we’ve got you covered with 38 outdoor party games for college students that will get your adrenaline pumping and your competitive spirit soaring!
1. 9 Square:
A popular group game played with a large square divided into nine smaller squares. Players must bounce a ball into another player’s square without it bouncing twice in their own. It's a fun game that can be played outdoors with a large group of people.
Number of Players: 9+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 9 square set, official 9 Square ball.
2. Gaga Ball:
Players try to eliminate other players by hitting them below the waist with a ball while avoiding being hit themselves. It's a fun and fast-paced game that can be played outdoors with a group of people.
Number of Players: 20+
Recommended Age: 6+
Equipment: Gaga Ball pit, rubber ball.
3. Kan Jam: Teams throw and deflect a frisbee into a can to score points. It's an exciting outdoor game that requires skill and teamwork.
Number of Players: 2-4
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 2 frisbees, 2 cans
4. Spikeball: A fast-paced game where teams hit a small ball off a net to score points. It's a great party game to play outdoors with friends or family.
Number of Players: 2-4
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 1 spikeball net and 1 5 in. air filled ball.
5. Giant Jenga: A larger version of the classic game, players take turns removing blocks from a tower without causing it to fall. It's a fun and exciting game that can be played at an outdoor party or game night.
Number of Players: 2+
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 54 jenga blocks, size of your choosing.
6. Giant Connect Four: A larger version of the classic game where players take turns placing their colored discs to form a row of four. The disc can be replaced with a hula hoop for an extra large version. It's a fun game that can be played with friends or family outdoors.
Number of Players: 2
Recommended Age: 8+
Equipment: 32 hula hoops or discs, split between 2 colors.
7. Giant Chess: A giant version of the classic board game played on a large outdoor board. It's a great game for chess lovers and can be enjoyed outdoors.
Number of Players: 2
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: Oversized chess set, 8x8 marking system.
8. Giant Checkers: A giant version of the classic game played on a large outdoor board. It's a fun game that can be enjoyed by all ages outdoors.
Number of Players: 2
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 8x8 grid, 24 discs, split between 2 colors.
9. Water Balloon Toss: Players toss a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back with each successful toss until one team is left standing. A team is out if the water balloon pops. It's a perfect game for a hot summer day at an outdoor party.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: Water balloons, faucet.
10. Capture the Flag: One of many classic team building games where two teams compete to capture the other team’s flag while defending their own. Use a pool noodle as flags to allow the team to steal the flag back while in an opponent's hand.
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 6+
Equipment: 2 of any identical object to be used as flags.
11. Kickball: A classic playground game you played as a kid, where players kick a ball and run the bases to score points. It's a fun and active game that can be enjoyed outdoors along with other backyard games.
Number of Players: 18+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 4 flat objects to be used as bases, 1 rubber ball
12. Ultimate Frisbee: Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport played with a flying disc, where teams aim to score points by passing the disc to their teammates in the opposing team's end zone.
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 9+
Equipment: 1 frisbee
13. Sardines: A fun party game where one person hides while the rest of the group counts and searches for them. When a player finds the person hiding, they must hide with them until only one player is left searching. Sardines is one of many party ideas for college students and can be played indoors or outdoors.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: Location of the players choice.
14. Pictionary: A classic board game that can be played outside with a large whiteboard or easel. It's a great game to play outdoors with younger kids. A great option for those looking to bring something less physical to the party.
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 whiteboard, 1 dry erase marker.
15. Charades: A fun game where one person acts out a word or phrase while the other team members try to guess. It's a classic game and great for a birthday party
Number of Players: 3+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: None
16. Watermelon Eating Contest: A classic summer activity, where a party guest races to eat a slice of watermelon the fastest without using their hands. It's a fun and messy game that can be played at an outdoor party.
Number of Players: 3+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 watermelon slice per participant.
17. Tug of War: A classic team-building activity where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope to try and pull the other team over a line. It's a great game for team building and great for a large group.
Number of Players: 8+
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 1 large rope, 15 ft. or longer.
18. Balloon Pop Relay: Teams race to pop balloons by sitting on them, then running to the next teammate. It's a fun and exciting balloons game that can be played outdoors.
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 12+
Equipment: 3 balloons per player.
19. Giant Twister: A larger version of the classic game where players spin a wheel to determine which body part and color to place on the mat. It's a fun and silly game that can be played outdoors with friends or family.
Number of Players: 3+
Recommended Age: 12+
Equipment: Any size twister spinner, large twister mat.
20. Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course using items like cones, hula hoops, and tires to challenge team members to race through the course. It's a great team-building activity that can be played outdoors. Love this
Number of Players: 3+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: Anything you desire for your obstacle course(please remain safe).
21. Water Gun Fight: A fun group activity where players use water guns to squirt each other in a fun and refreshing outdoor party game perfect for a pool party or hot summer day. Its a simple game and great fun!
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 water gun per player.
A fun alternative to a water gun fight, and played exactly the same as regular 9 square! Add a sprinkler or put your set in the pool for some a needed cool down while you play! Just make sure your 9 Square set is water resistant before playing!
Number of Players: 9+
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 9 Square set, Sprinkler or pool add on, 9 Square Ball.
23. Frisbee Golf: Similar to regular golf, players throw a frisbee into a series of baskets in as few throws as possible. It's a fun outdoor game that can be played with friends or family.
Number of Players: 3+
Recommended Age: 10+
Equipment: 1 frisbee per player, as many baskets as desired.
24. Cornhole: A classic outdoor game where players take turns throwing bean bags into the opposing team’s hole to score points. It's a perfect game to play at an outdoor party.
Number of Players: 2-4 per board
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 2 or more cornhole boards
25. Ladder Toss: A fun outdoor game where players toss bolas, which consist of two golf balls connected by a string, at a ladder-shaped target. The goal is to get the bolas to wrap around the ladder rungs for points. Ladder Toss is a popular party game at field day events and can be played individually or in teams.
Number of Players: 2-4 per ladder
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 3 bolas per player, 1 ladder per group
26. Horseshoes: A lawn game played between two people or teams using two stakes and four horseshoes. Players take turns throwing horseshoes at the stakes, aiming to land the horseshoe as close to the stake as possible or even ring it. Points are awarded for the closest horseshoe or for ringing the stake, and the first player or team to reach a certain score wins the game.
Number of Players: 2+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 stake per player, 4 horseshoes per player.
27. Lawn Darts: Players throw darts at a target on the ground ( balloons or a plastic cup work too) to score points. It's a fun and challenging outdoor game that requires skill and accuracy.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 3 darts per player, as many targets as desired.
28. Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag: A twist on the classic game, players wear glow-in-the-dark bracelets or necklaces while trying to capture the other team's glow in the dark flag. To add a level of difficulty, players do not wear glow in the dark bracelets to mark themselves, and only the flag glows. It is advised that you do not run at high speeds to avoid a possible collision with a teammate or other object. It's a fun game and team building activity to play at night outdoors.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 3 darts per player, as many targets as desired.
29. Blacklight 9 Square:
A safer alternative to glow in the dark capture the flag, Blacklight 9 Square is a fun way to play 9 Square in the dark! Use glow in the dark bracelets to mark players, and use a fluorescent ball and 9 Square set to have fun all night long! Play this and glow in the dark capture the flag for a great blacklight themed party, or dress up in blacklight clothing for a great costume party as well!
Number of Players: 9+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: Blacklight 9 Square set, Blacklight, and fluorescent ball.
30. Human Knot: Players stand in a circle and hold hands with two other people, then try to untangle the knot without letting go of hands. It's a great team-building activity that can be played outdoors.
Number of Players: 2+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: None.
31. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items for teams to find outdoors and race to see who can find them all first. Make the last item a treat as a fun prize for the winning team! It's a fun and exciting group activity to incorporate with other outdoor party games.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: Any number of any sized object you desire.
32. Water Relay Race: Teams race to fill a bucket at one end of the course with water from a sponge or cup, passing it down the line to the next teammate. It's a fun and refreshing party idea that can be played at any outdoor party.
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 2 buckets for each team, 1 sponge for each team.
33. Three-Legged Race: Similar in mechanics to a sack race, players are paired up and tie one leg to their team member, then race to the finish line. It's a great physical activity and challenging game to be included with older kids outdoor party games. I would make sure we are using a video on this one or gif
Number of Players: 6+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 band or rope per team to tie the players together.
34. Simon Says: A classic game where one person is "Simon" and gives commands for the other players to follow, but only when preceded by "Simon says". It's a fun game that can be played in conjunction with other outdoor games.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: None.
35. Cup Pong (Beer Pong): Players try to toss ping pong balls into their opponent's cups while defending their own. Use non-alcoholic drinks when playing with anyone under the legal drinking age.
Number of Players: 2+
Recommended Age: 12+
Equipment: 20 plastic cups, 1 ping pong ball or equivalent size and weight ball.
36. Bocce Ball: Players toss balls to get as close as possible to a smaller target ball. It's a classic outdoor game that can be played with friends or family.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 7+
Equipment: 1 small ball, 8 balls larger than the first ball.
37. Giant Scrabble: A lawn games version of the classic board game and great alternative to a card game, played with oversized tiles on a large outdoor board. It's a fun game that can be enjoyed by any kid or college student.
Number of Players: 4+
Recommended Age: 9+
Equipment: Oversized scrabble board and tiles.
38. Ring Toss: A classic carnival game that involves throwing rings onto a set of pegs or posts to score points. Players are given a set number of rings and must aim to toss them onto the pegs, with each peg having a different point value. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins, and additional rules can be added to increase the level of difficulty, such as increasing the distance between the player and the pegs.
Number of Players: 1+
Recommended Age: 6+
Equipment: 10 Bottles, 10 plastic rings.
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