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Planning a Backyard Game Night for Adults: Bites, Brews and Ground Rules
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Want to throw a get-together your friends will actually talk about?
Rethink the formal dinner party. An outdoor game night lets adults dine, drink, play games and chuckle well past dark.
Here's the problem:
Most hosts improvise. They throw together a pack of cards, some chips and cross their fingers. One half of the guests are asleep by 8pm. The other half are yelling about rules that weren't written down!
A great game night doesn't happen by accident.
Need help planning the perfect night? This guide has you covered with snacks, drinks and house rules to keep the fun times rolling.
Time to jump in!
What's On The Menu Today:
Why Backyard Game Nights Are So Popular
Stocking Up The Smart Way
The Best Games For A Grown-Up Crowd
Bites, Brews And Ground Rules
Why Backyard Game Nights Are So Popular
The backyard has become the new living room.
Americans are spending more time at home these days, and they want to make it count. Even 60% of homeowners say they’ve cancelled plans just to enjoy their backyard.
That tells you something...
Your guests will probably prefer hanging out on your patio to elbowing their way through a packed bar. Not only is it more affordable, but it's also more relaxed and no one has to yell over booming music.
And the best part?
Game night ensures that everyone has something to do. Including that friend who never talks at parties but will after 2x rounds of cornhole.
Stock Up Before Anyone Arrives
Nothing kills the vibe faster than a mid-game run to the shop.
Buy in bulk. Buy Ahead. Consider: ice, napkins, paper plates, mixers, snacks. Also, think about all the hours your guests will spend partying. Buy batteries for the speaker.
If some of your friends smoke, plan for them as well. People who smoke at an all-nighter tend to consume more than they anticipate. That's why many hosts buy cigarettes by the box instead of individually wrapped packs -- it's one less late-night run and can actually be cheaper per pack. Some folks who buy cigarettes by the carton will smoke only name brand cigarettes, like Putters cigarettes all night long. Just establish a smoking area downwind and far away from the food, drinks and non-smokers.
Here's a simple shopping list to work from:
2 bags of ice for every 5 guests
Paper plates, cups and plenty of napkins
Ashtrays and a bucket of sand for the smoking corner
Bug spray and sunscreen
Extra chairs or blankets
Simple, right?
The Best Games For A Grown-Up Crowd
Not all games are outdoor games. Board games with small pieces will scatter when it gets windy.
You want a good mix of games that are:
Easy to learn in 2 minutes
Fun to watch, even when you're not playing
Loud (in a good way)
Lawn Games
Backyard game nights are only as good as your lawn games. Cornhole, giant Jenga, ring toss, and bocce ball are all great because people can participate or leave the game at any time.
Set up 2-3 stations around the yard so the crowd spreads out naturally.
Card And Table Games
After the sun goes down, continue the activity at the table. Playing cards (Uno, poker) or a quick game of trivia keeps the momentum going as guests recharge.
Helpful hint: Secure cards down with clothes pegs or small weights to prevent them from flying across your garden.
Team Challenges
Looking to up the ante? Divide everyone into teams and maintain a scoreboard on a whiteboard. Tally points each game and declare a winner at the end of the night.
It sounds dumb... Just trust the process. Adults will be VERY competitive when something as lame as a cheap plastic trophy is at stake.
Bites That Don't Need A Fork
The golden rule of game night food is this:
If it needs a knife and fork, it doesn't belong.
Guests want to eat with one hand while they mingle with the others. Serve finger food. Crowd pleasers include:
Sliders and mini hot dogs
Loaded nachos on a sheet pan
Chicken wings (with LOTS of napkins)
Skewers -- caprese, chicken or grilled veggies
A big board of cheese, crackers and cold meats
Set up each station so guests can serve themselves. That way you won't have to hang out by the food all night acting as a waiter. Keep hot food covered and cold food on top of an ice tray.
Brews, Mixers And Everything In Between
Drinks can make or break the night.
Backyard bars are all the rage these days -- nearly 40% of homeowners would like to install one in their outdoor space. You can save yourself the effort though. A folding table and a couple of coolers will work just as well.
Here's how to set up a drinks station that works:
Fill one cooler with beer and cider
Fill another with water and soft drinks
Batch one big cocktail or punch in a dispenser
Label everything so people can help themselves
Keep booze-less options available. Not everyone will drink and your DD's deserve more than water.
Set The Ground Rules Early
This is the part most hosts skip...
Plus it addresses the most important element. Simple, straightforward guidelines prevent petty disputes from escalating. Write them on a chalkboard or print them out and tape them next to the snack table.
Good ground rules include:
Losers rotate out, winners stay on
The host has the final say on any rule dispute
Smoking only in the smoking area
Music at a level the neighbours can live with
Nobody drives home after drinking -- arrange lifts or rideshares
It may seem controlling at first. But people actually love it when you tell them what to do and it makes everyone have more fun at night.
Light Up The Night
The fun doesn't have to stop when the sun goes down.
String lights, solar lanterns and a fire pit make your yard an evening-ready venue. Glow in the dark cornhole bags and LED ring toss sets keep lawn games lit up at night.
Game Over (In The Best Way)
Organizing a backyard adult game night boils down to just a few elements. Here's a quick review:
Stock up early and buy in bulk
Pick games that are easy, social and loud
Serve food people can eat with one hand
Set up a self-serve drinks station
Write down the ground rules before the first game
Learn to do these and your friends will want you to play...AGAIN and AGAIN.
Now grab the cornhole boards and get planning!
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