If you’re looking for barbecue party games, we’ve got lots of inspiration for you here. From classic backyard fun to brain-teasing challenges, there’s a mix for party-goers of all ages.
These BBQ party games are all simple to set up in your backyard. Many are cheap and easy DIY projects too. Which ones are your favorites?
11 Fun Barbecue Party Games
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Lawn twister | • Ruler/yardstick • 4 colors of yard paint | |
 | Cup race | • Speed matching game • Children and family game | |
 | Egg and spoon race | • Easy to grip • Best value | |
 | Giant jenga | • Outdoor & Indoor use • Carrying case | |
 | Bowling | • Durable build • Backyard game set | |
 | Cornhole | • Convenient Carry • Portable play | |
 | Limbo | • Fun for group games • Easy set-up | |
 | Sack race | • Set of four bags • Heavy-duty burlap | |
 | Ring toss | • Easy to assemble • Easy to play | |
 | Outdoor Pictionary | • For a gift-ready box • Unique white-barreled pens |
1. Lawn twister
One of the most popular and fun barbecue party games for a group of people, twister works really well outdoors. You can make your own twister’ floor’ by spray painting different colored circles onto an old sheet, mat or tarp, or even straight onto the grass. Set your ‘mat’ up on your lawn – it’s nicer to land on than paving!
You can also buy premade sets, that way you don’t have to do any work and enjoy all the fun!
2. Cup race
One of the simplest ideas around, a cup race makes for one of the most fun and energetic barbecue party games. Simply get enough cups for guests and fill them with water or anything else that’s easily spillable.
Then split into teams, make a simple (or tricky!) course in your backyard to run around, and see which team can get around without spilling a drop. Each person passes the cup onto the next for their turn, like a relay race.
3. Egg and spoon race
A similar idea to the cup race, this one involves running along with an egg balanced on a spoon. To make things less messy, the eggs are usually hard-boiled – and then you can eat them afterward!
4. Giant jenga
There are lots of giant versions of popular indoor games available now. Giant Jenga is a great barbecue party game.
Set it up on a grassy area and take turns to remove the wooden blocks – can you avoid collapsing the Jenga tower? This one could be a fun DIY project: it’s easy to make with 2 x 4 pieces of wood. Color the ends of the blocks for different teams or players.
5. Bowling
This barbeque party game couldn’t be simpler. It’s a homemade version of ten pin bowling. Use 10 plastic bottles all the same size. One-liter bottle size is a perfect choice. Fill with water and put the tops on. Arrange so that you have a triangle of ‘pins’, just like at the bowling alley. Find a suitable ball and start seeing how many you can knock down! This is fun for children in the evening if you add a glow stick to each water bottle.
6. Cornhole
Like most successful barbeque party games, cornhole is very straightforward. You set up a board with a circular hole at the end. Each person has a beanbag. You score by throwing the beanbags onto the board. You get more points if your bag goes straight into the hole. Simple, but can keep people amused for hours.
7. Limbo
How supple are you feeling? This is still one of the most popular barbeque party games out there. All you need is a broom handle or something of a similar length that two people can hold at each end. Who can go the lowest under the limbo stick? Great fun for all ages and it goes well with some party music.
8. Sack race
This is a classic backyard game that never goes out of fashion. All you need are some hessian sacks, enough for all your guests.
Set up your track and a finishing line, and off you go! You jump along in your sack as fast as you can to win the race. This is lots of fun for both children and adults.
9. Ring toss
Another easy BBQ party game to set up that is sure to keep kids and adults alike amused for hours. Re-use empty bottles and dot them about on the grass.
The aim is to throw the ring around the bottle. You can give different bottles of different points, based on how difficult they are to reach. You can make your own rings from rope for this one, or even use pool rings.
10. Name that popstar
This is one of those barbeque party games for the evening when people are sitting around the fire. Write down the names of pop stars on small pieces of paper – at least 3 per guest.
Fold the pieces of paper up and place in a bowl in the center of the table. People take turns to choose a bit of paper and sing a song by that pop star. The others have to name the singer. You can give a prize for the best singing performance!
11. Outdoor Pictionary
You’ll need a chalkboard set up in your backyard for this BBQ party game. You could hang it on a fence or wall. It’s great fun for all ages and gets the creative juices flowing.
If you’ve played Pictionary before, you’ll know it’s like charades, only with pictures. A chalkboard is also useful at other times – a great place to get arty outdoors with the children in the fresh air.
Inspired to get outdoors? Check these out:
17 Fun Outdoor Games for Large Groups