Get kids outdoors and having a blast with these 9 best backyard games for kids that encourage coordination, teamwork and sportsmanship. 

1. Viking Bowling

Viking bowling originated in Finland, is the most popular yard game in Europe.  It is fairly new to the US but growing in popularity.  Viking bowling is a team game that requires hand eye coordination, strategy and a little math! Click here to see the rules. 

Get kids developing physical skills while building sportsmanship and math Skills. I found this set on amazon for a steal.  Click here to see the current price. 

2. Party Relay Backyard Games for kids 

Ready. Set. Go. This fun relay pack includes classic backyard kids games.  Four potato sacks, four egg, four spoon sets, and two “Four legged race” bands.  If you are planning a fun outdoor afternoon this party relay game is perfect for school age kids! I have purchased all of these items over the years, then I stumbled upon this party relay pack on amazon and was amazed at the price.  Click here to see on Amazon.

3. Knock off Toss

Knock off Toss is a fairly new backyard game on the market.  It requires hand-eye coordination, agility and the ability to throw a Frisbee with some accuracy. So, if kids have conquered the ability to play Frisbee toss, they will have the skills to play this epic game. 
Teams take turns throwing the Frisbee at the other teams post or bottle attempting to knock the bottle off the post.  If the Frisbee thrower is successful the opposing team tries to catch the bottle and the Frisbee before they touch the ground. If at any time the bottle or the disc hit the ground points go to the other team. I have seen homemade versions of this game but you can now find it on amazon. Click here to see the current price. This game is hilarious and fun and highly recommended for team building and to promote sportsmanship.  

4. Backyard Kubb

Kubb is a must have backyard game for kids.  This game requires hand eye coordination, strategy and teamwork. This game backyard game for kids can be played with as many players as you like, however 2-3 players per team is traditional.  Kubb is a game that can be over quickly or last hours, it depends in the abilities of the players and the strategies in play.  Weather the game lasts five minutes or 2 hours kids enjoy the game and the spirit of comradery that comes with it.  Amazon’s price is a steal for the hours of entertainment you will get from this backyard game.

5. Slammo 

Spikeball is a fun volleyball spiking game that is becoming popular is the US. Slammo is an off brand version that sells at half the price on Amazon.  This backyard game for kids is played with teams of two players. 

To play one team serves the ball off the net, and the other team attempts to spike the ball back onto the net, the teams volley the ball back and forth off the net until the ball hits the ground.  Players earn points when the ball touches the ground. This game is going to be a classic backyard game.  It requires basic coordination and a bit of athleticism that makes it fun for all. 

6. Washers Backyard Game for Kids

Washers is a classic backyard game that requires little skill and provides big fun.  In washers boxes are set up about 25 feet apart from one another. The game is played with either two players or two teams of two.

To play players stand behind one box and take turns tossing washers towards the other box in an attempt to make it into the cup or box.  You earn points for making the washer into the box and into the cup.  This simple game is easy to store and easy to set up.  So fun it will keep kids busy for hours.  Click here to see the current price on Amazon.

7. Kan Jam

Kan Jam is a fairly new backyard game in the United States.  It requires a higher level of hand eye coordination than some of these other backyard games.  Players need to possess the ability to throw a Frisbee accurately. 
Kan Jam is portable, easy to set up and hours of entertainment.  This game is played with two teams of two.  Traditionally the “kans” are set up 50 feet apart.  One player from each team stands at each Kan.  The first player tosses the disc at the can jam in an attempt to hit the opposite kan. Points can be scored by hitting the “Kan” directly, by a teammate hitting the flying disc so that it hits the “Kan” by a teammate knocking to disc into the “kan” or an automatic win, when a disc flies directly into the Kan Jam Slot.  This game is requires coordination, teamwork and promotes sportsmanship.  Click here to see Kan Jam on Amazon.

8. Bocce Ball Backyard game for kids

Bocce has been a classic outdoor game for decades.  This game is perfect for kids, it is so easy to learn and easy to play.  Throw out the pallino (small white ball). Then have players roll their Bocce Balls towards the pallino.  The team with the closest Bocce is awarded points for every ball that is closer than an opponents.  Throw out the pallino again and roll one more.  Game play continues until one team or player scores 12 points.  This classic game simple game is fun for people of all ages and is one of the best backyard games for kids. Click here to see the current price on Amazon.

9. Giant Jenga

Giant Jenga is a fun backyard game for kids and adults. This game, just like the original takes a steady hand and coordination.  Giant Jenga can range from $70-120 but I found an off brand set on amazon for half that!  It’s the same game, and it comes with a bonus wooden die and a carrying case.  We don’t use the die, but I suppose you could come up with your own twist on the classic game using dice.  I highly recommend this game, the immense size makes it intriguing to kids, and fun for all!