Level Up Your Prescott Summer: 4 Creative Backyard BBQ Games

Prescott summers bring something truly special. When the afternoon breeze kicks in and the grill starts sizzling, there is no better place to be than your own backyard. Gathering friends, family, and neighbors for a weekend BBQ is a staple of our local lifestyle. But how do you keep everyone entertained after the burgers disappear?

We put together a list of creative backyard games to make your next outdoor gathering unforgettable. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a cozy patio overlooking the pines, these games will keep the laughter going well into the evening.

1. Yard-zee (Giant Yard Dice)

Take a classic tabletop game and supersize it for the outdoors. You can buy or make five large wooden dice to roll right on your grass or patio. Hand out clipboards with printed scorecards and dry-erase markers. This game works beautifully because it requires minimal space and appeals to everyone from young kids to grandparents. Plus, tossing giant wooden dice across the yard brings an immediate sense of fun to the party.

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss

As the sun sets and those cool Arizona summer evenings set in, the party does not have to stop. Crack open several glowing necklaces and bracelets to create a vibrant, illuminated ring toss game. Use water bottles filled with glowing water (crack a glow stick and carefully pour the non-toxic liquid into the bottle) as targets. This keeps the kids completely entertained in the dark while the adults relax on the deck.

3. DIY Backyard Obstacle Course

If you have high-energy kids running around, put them to the test with a simple obstacle course. You can use common pool toys and household items to build it. Have them balance a plastic egg on a spoon, jump through a line of hula hoops, and crawl under a bridge made of pool noodles. Time each participant and hand out small prizes for the fastest finishes. It burns off energy and gives the adults plenty to cheer for.

4. Bocce Ball with a Twist

Bocce ball fits perfectly into the Prescott outdoor lifestyle, thriving on grass, gravel, or dirt—basically any backyard surface you have. To play, divide your group into two teams and give each team a set of colored bocce balls. The game begins by tossing a smaller ball, called the pallino, as the target. Teams take turns throwing their bocce balls, trying to land as close to the pallino as possible.

Here’s where the twist comes in: before play begins, scatter a few light obstacles around your yard, such as a lawn chair, cooler, large planter, or even a hula hoop that must be avoided or bounced off. These “hazards” make the throwing angles unpredictable and add an extra layer of strategy (and laughter) to the game. Maybe you’ll decide that a ball hitting a chair gets an extra point, or that the ball must roll through a hoop before counting. Feel free to get creative with the rules based on your group!

This easy, flexible setup lets everyone join in, and the added backyard obstacles spark friendly competition and plenty of good-natured heckling. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy your outdoor space, encourage interaction among guests, and make backyard memories that last long after the BBQ is over.

Find Your Perfect Backyard

Summer memories happen right at home. A great backyard makes outdoor entertaining an absolute breeze, giving you the space to host, play, and relax. If your current outdoor space does not quite fit your summer vision, we can help. Our Prescott real estate team specializes in finding homes with the perfect patios, decks, and yards to host your next great memory. Contact us today to start the search for your dream home, Bloomtree Realty (928) 443-8800.