ou probably fondly remember playing yard games as a kid – but adults can and should engage in them, too. Experts agree that adult play is highly beneficial, as it not only reduces stress, but also improves brain function, stimulates the mind, and helps you improve your connection with others. There are many different ways to play, but yard games are an especially effective way for adults to play because they can be set up just about anywhere.
Whether you’re spending a day in the park, killing time at a barbeque, or playing at the beach, some of the best yard games for adults include (but certainly aren’t limited to):
- Cornhole
- Tumbling Timbers
- Yardzee
So, let’s explore each of these games, and find out what makes them so great for adults.
1. Cornhole
First to 21 Wins
Cornhole – also known as corn toss, bean bag toss, baggo, or sack toss – is a classic American favorite dating back to at least 1883, so beloved it has an official organization dedicated to it. Most likely, you’ve either played cornhole before, or seen people playing, as parks and other recreational areas will often have boards set up for people to play with at will.
A deceptively simple 2-4 player sport, cornhole only requires a few pieces of equipment – two inclined boards, and eight colored beanbags. Each one or two-person team stands at a designated pitcher’s box next to their board, and throws a beanbag at the opposing board. If their beanbag lands in the hole on the far end of the board, they gain three points! If the beanbag lands (and stays) somewhere else on the board, they still gain one point, but if the bag misses the board, slides off, or hits the ground first, no points are awarded.
Once all four beanbags have been thrown by each team, points are totaled up, but there’s a catch – according to the ACA, at the end of a round, only the higher-scoring team gets the points, and the opposing team’s points are canceled out. The winning team earns the difference in points (so if Team A won 6 points and Team B won 3 points, Team A would end up with 3 points). This goes on until a team reaches 21 points.
Cornhole is great for adults, because on top of the benefits of playing in a team (and working up a friendly rivalry), it gives you a chance to practice your hand-eye coordination. It’s also inexpensive and easily accessible, with the equipment being light and easy to pack up and take with you. The rules, of course, can also be adapted as you need – if you find you’re having issues throwing the beanbags far enough, there’s no one stopping you from moving the boards a few feet closer together.
2. Tumbling Timbers
Slide, Pull, Stack – But Don’t Be The One To Knock The Tower Over!
Tumbling Timbers, also known as Toppling Towers, is another fantastic yard game. Perfect for Jenga lovers, Tumbling Timbers is a great way to improve your fine motor skills and strategic thinking. The game itself is simple – players build a tower of wooden blocks together, and then take turns removing blocks and placing them on the top of the stack, all without knocking the tower over.
There are also plenty of ways to spice up the game – some sets come with numbers printed on the bottoms of random blocks, corresponding to a rule of your own design (and of course, if your set doesn’t come that way, there’s nothing preventing you from taking a Sharpie to those bad boys). These rules can be anything from reversing player order, to goofy ones like requiring you to balance on one foot on your next turn, to even more adult-themed rules. The world is your oyster!
3. Yardzee
Buckets of Fun
Ever wish you could take a game of Yahtzee outside? Now you can! The enlarged dice can be a little bit on the expensive side, but if you’re feeling crafty, you can try making them yourself. Aside from being outdoors, Yardzee is essentially identical to Yahtzee – each turn, a player rolls 5 dice, and must decide which category on their scorecard to add the score to (for example, an upper section category like the fives category, where you add the face total of all the fives you rolled, or a lower section category like 3 of a kind). Each category can only be scored once, making it an exhilarating combination of luck and strategy. And of course, the oversized dice are rolled using a bucket, and that’s just plain fun.
A nostalgic game for adult players, Yardzee is a great way to have some indoor fun outdoors for those of us who are less physically inclined, and the nature of the game means it’s easy to put away and pick up later. Just check your scorecards to see what round you were on!
Also: Tips to Beat the Heat
(Without Letting It Beat You)
As the weather gets warmer, it’s great to get out and stretch your legs. Don’t be afraid to soak up some Vitamin D – your body needs it, after all. But make sure to take care of yourself in the process.
Wear Sunscreen
Yeah, yeah, everyone tells you to wear sunscreen – but it’s because you really should. It’s good to wear out every day, but especially important on high-UV days (and yes, people with dark skin are at risk of sunburns and skin cancer too – make sure you know what sun damage looks like for your skin). Make sure you apply it at least 30 minutes before going out, to give it time to soak in before you sweat it off. Look for an SPF higher than 30, and be sure to reapply it every 1.5-2 hours (more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming). If you have tattoos, make doubly sure you’re protecting them, or else sun damage will affect the image.
Drink Water
Staying hydrated is always important – but when you’re sweating, you expel water faster, meaning you need to drink water more frequently to keep up. If you struggle to remember to stay hydrated, try carrying a larger water bottle, setting up a tap for all your friends to drink from, and/or using electrolyte packets or mixes to help your body revitalize faster. It can be tempting to drink ice water, but studies actually show that room-temp water is more effective when it comes to actually rehydrating.
Stay in the Shade
It can be tempting to play out in the sun to get that nice tan, but it’s better for your health to stay in the shade. You’ll experience less of the sun’s UV rays, and stay cooler in the process. At the very least, choose a place with some shade available nearby, so that people can sit in it and rest as they need, especially if they start to feel the effects of heat exhaustion.
Watch For Heat Exhaustion & Stroke
Of the two, heat stroke is more deadly – but both are serious, and they have different signs. Keep an eye on your friends (and yourself, and know what to do and what to look for while you’re out.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include general weakness, increased heavy sweating, a weak but fast pulse, nausea/vomiting, dizziness/lightheadedness, and pale, cold, or clammy skin. If you spot signs of heat exhaustion, move the afflicted person into a shaded area, and rehydrate them. Have them lay down, loosen their clothing where possible, and remove any unnecessary layers (like socks or shoes). If available, have them take a cold shower or use a cold compress to lower their temperature. If they continue vomiting, seek medical treatment.
Heat stroke symptoms include an elevated body temperature, a fast and strong heart rate, hot, red, dry, or moist skin (when they are so dehydrated their body can no longer sweat to self-regulate), and loss of consciousness. Call 911 (single someone out to do this – or else everyone will assume that someone else has done it) and move them to a shaded location. Use a cold compress or a cold, wet cloth to help lower their body temperature until help arrives.
That’s it for our lecturing – now that you know how to keep yourself safe, go out and have fun with the yard game of your choice!
