🇺🇸 Memorial Day Backyard Games & Activities

Keep guests of all ages entertained with these easy-to-set-up backyard games. Most need zero equipment — and a few are worth the small investment for years of summer use.

Memorial Day party rule: Set up games BEFORE guests arrive. Once people are eating and socializing, nobody wants to figure out how to set up a cornhole board.

Classic Backyard Games (No Purchase Needed)

These games cost nothing and work for all ages. Set up stations around the yard so kids and adults can rotate.

🏃 Capture the Flag

Split into two teams, use bandanas or towels as flags. Perfect for larger yards. Works for kids 6+ and adults. Add glow sticks for after-dark play.

🎲 Yard Dice

Cut 4x4 lumber into cubes, sand smooth, and number them 1-6. Play Farkle or Yahtzee on the lawn. If you don't have a saw, a set is inexpensive to buy.

💦 Water Balloon Toss

Partners face each other, take a step back after each successful catch. Last dry pair wins. Fill 100+ balloons the morning of — it takes longer than you think.

Games and Gear Worth the Investment

These items pay for themselves across multiple summers of use.

Patio String Lights (25ft Edison)

Not a game, but essential for evening cookouts. These warm Edison-style lights transform any backyard into an inviting gathering space. Weatherproof and shatterproof bulbs.

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Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker

Every backyard gathering needs music. This speaker is waterproof, has 24-hour battery life, and pairs instantly. Set it up once and let the playlist run all day.

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6-Foot Folding Table

Use it for the buffet, game station, or kids' craft table. Folds flat for storage. You'll use this at every outdoor event — Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, tailgates.

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Galvanized Beverage Tub

Fill with ice and drinks — it becomes the gathering hub of your party. Rust-resistant galvanized steel looks great on any patio table. Holds 20+ cans or bottles.

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Citronella Candle Set (12-pack)

Keep mosquitoes away without harsh sprays. Place around the perimeter of your seating area. Burns for 20+ hours each — enough for the whole long weekend.

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Portable Propane Fire Pit

S'mores after dark without the bonfire hassle. No smoke, no sparks, instant on/off. Perfect for neighborhoods with fire restrictions. Takes 10-pound propane tanks.

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YETI Hopper Flip 12 Cooler

Soft-sided cooler that keeps ice frozen for days. Carry it to the lawn, the beach, or the campsite. Leakproof zipper and puncture-proof exterior handle rough use.

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Activity Timeline for Your Cookout

For kids: Set up a craft station with red, white, and blue supplies. Paper plate flags, star stamping, and friendship bracelets keep younger kids busy while adults socialize.

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