How to Choose the Best Backyard Games for Adults

A lot of backyard games are made with kids in mind, and that's fine until you're the one hosting a get-together full of grown adults who want something more than a plastic hoop and a bag of bean bags. That's the gap we noticed when we started building 1-2-3 DropShot, and it's the same gap a lot of hosts run into when they go shopping for backyard games for adults. 

However, there are too many choices available online, and all of them look alike at the thumbnail preview stage, making the entire shopping experience rather confusing. That is why, to prevent yourself from wasting money on something that will remain in the garage unused, you need to find out what factors distinguish a bad choice from a good one. A game that looks exciting in a product photo can still fall flat once it's sitting in your actual yard, surrounded by your actual guests. 

That's what this guide is for. We'll walk through what to look at before buying, a few common slip-ups to avoid, and some backyard games for adults worth putting on your list, including a quick look at why we built 1-2-3 DropShot the way we did.

What Makes a Backyard Game Right for an Adult Crowd

Not every outdoor game suits a grown-up gathering, and that's not a bad thing. Kids' games are built to be forgiving and simple, with rules that barely need explaining and almost no risk involved. Adults usually want a bit more than that, even if the afternoon is still meant to be relaxed.

• Group Size and Space

Before anything else, think about how many people usually show up at your place and how much room you actually have to work with. A game built for ten players doesn't make much sense if your patio only fits four comfortably.

• Competitive Edge vs. Easygoing Fun

Adults tend to want games with a bit more punch than the kid-friendly versions sitting on the same store shelf. The right amount of competitiveness, betting on the outcome, or even just an added level of rules could easily make an average afternoon into a conversation piece weeks down the line. 

The perfect backyard games for adults should offer a slight element of competitiveness rather than an easy toss-and-go format that gets boring very quickly.

• Noise Level and Neighbors

This factor is often overlooked, but its importance cannot be understated. 

When playing in the company of close neighbors who do not take kindly to too much noise during an evening event, certain types of games with shouting and noisy equipment could be a poor choice. There are backyard games for adults that are designed to be quiet games.

Key Factors to Weigh Before You Buy

After assessing your yard and understanding the people who will be joining in, it’s time to make a decision. These are some of the factors to consider before placing anything into your cart.

• Portability and Storage

If the game is not portable enough, chances are high that you will not make full use of it as you would expect to. This should be able to fold and fit in a carrying bag or box without requiring any storage space of its own. If you wish to go somewhere with the game, such as camping, tailgating, or visiting a friend, portability becomes crucial.

• Build Quality and Materials

This is when many low-cost choices come crashing down, sometimes even in the middle of the same year when put into regular use. Plastic breaks under normal wear and tear, wood bends due to a little rain, and pieces tend to disappear at an unbelievable speed. Wood that actually can stand up to outdoor use lasts longer and is more comfortable to handle as well. A quality game pays off in the long run and does not require replacing annually.

• Variety of Play Styles

It is important to note that a game that only has one playing strategy tends to become quite boring in no time, especially when you have guests who visit year in and year out. Make sure you choose a game that has more than one rule set or format; this will enable you to play the same game with family and friends on two separate occasions.

• Price vs. Long-Term Value

Being cheap doesn't necessarily mean it's a good buy, even when it seems like it at the moment of purchase. An inexpensive product that can only serve you a couple of times is much more expensive than one whose value is just a bit higher, yet is designed to last long and serve you well. Remember to take into account your real usage frequency.

A Few Backyard Games for Adults Worth Considering

With those factors in mind, here are a handful of options that tend to hold up well with adult groups, each bringing something a little different to the table.

• 1-2-3 DropShot 

1-2-3 DropShot sits at the top of our own list, and we'll admit we're a little biased, since we built it ourselves. It only needs around seven to ten feet of space, works indoors or out depending on the weather, and comes with traditional, drinking, and betting rule sets, so it adapts to whatever mood your group happens to be in that day.

• Cornhole

It remains a classic for good reason, and it's rarely missing from a backyard setup. There is nothing complicated about it, and there will be no need for anyone to explain anything before starting; also, the pace of the game allows for a lot of conversation during breaks in play.

• Spikeball 

It is a more physical game than the others, and it requires some moving and running around. The game is pretty fast and competitive, and the pace does not slow down at all.

• Washer Toss

Washer toss is a quieter alternative to some of the louder options on this list, and it's compact enough to fit in smaller outdoor spaces without feeling cramped or in the way of foot traffic.

• Giant Jenga 

It works well for groups that enjoy watching as much as playing, since the tension builds with every block that gets pulled. It's one of the few games where spectators end up just as invested as the players.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Backyard Games for Adults

Even with good intentions, it's easy to pick the wrong backyard games for adults, and most of the mistakes come down to rushing the decision. One common mistake is buying something too large for the space you actually have, which ends up making setup more of a hassle than it's worth every single time you want to play. 

Another is skipping over build quality in favor of a lower price tag, only to replace the same game a few months later once it's already cracked or missing pieces. Some hosts also forget to check whether a game works indoors, which becomes a real problem the moment the weather doesn't cooperate on the day of the event. 

Taking a few extra minutes to think through these details before buying saves a lot of regret and a fair bit of money down the line.

Why 1-2-3 DropShot Checks the Boxes Above

Going back to everything we just covered, 1-2-3 DropShot was built with these exact points in mind from the very start. It's compact enough for small yards, sturdy enough to handle regular outdoor use thanks to real wood construction and bamboo cups, and flexible enough to switch between a family-friendly round and a livelier adult version later in the night without needing a second game on hand. 

It also comes with its own carrying case, so storage and portability aren't an afterthought tacked on at the end. We didn't want to make just another backyard game that gets forgotten in a closet by August. We wanted to make one that actually gets used, over and over, by the same group of people, season after season.

Ready to Pick the Right Backyard Game for Your Group?

Choosing the right backyard games for adults shouldn’t necessarily require much guessing once you understand which criteria you need to focus on. Take into consideration the size of your yard and the nature of your group, as well as the regularity with which you are going to use the item purchased, and the answer will become apparent rather quickly.

If you've got questions about 1-2-3 DropShot, want help figuring out which set fits your group best, or just want to see it in action before deciding, contact us and we'll walk you through it.

FAQs

How do I pick a backyard game for adults?

Pay attention to space considerations, quality construction, and versatility with multiple ways to play the game. This trio often determines a worthwhile purchase versus a bad choice.

Are backyard games for adults different from family versions?

Many times they will be. They usually have betting or drinking aspects, yet they still function for mixed groups if need be.

What's the best backyard game for a small adult gathering?

Small backyard games like 1-2-3 DropShot or washer toss are great options for small gatherings because they don't take up much space.

Can backyard games for adults be played indoors too?

Some can. DropShot, for example, can be carried into the house without any trouble, which is very helpful when the weather refuses to cooperate on the day of the game.

How much should I spend on backyard games for adults?

It depends upon how frequently you want to use them, but investing more in the beginning will help you save some money in the long run.