The sizzle of the grill, the aroma of smoky meats, and the laughter of delighted guests—there's nothing quite like a barbecue party to bring people together. But with great grills come great responsibilities, including ensuring your party games are as fun and inclusive as the food. Here's a comprehensive guide to hosting the ultimate barbecue party games event, complete with step-by-step instructions for some classic and creative games.
Remember, the key to successful party games is variety. Offer a mix of competitive and cooperative games, catering to different ages, interests, and physical abilities. With the right games, everyone can be part of the fun, making your barbecue a memorable event that guests will rave about well into the off-season.
Classic Barbecue Party Games
No barbecue party is complete without these time-tested games. They're easy to set up, require minimal equipment, and are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Cornhole
This classic bean bag toss game is a barbecue staple for a reason. It's accessible, competitive, and requires minimal space and equipment. To play, simply set up a cornhole board ten feet apart, and let players take turns tossing bean bags at the board to score points. The first team to reach 21 points wins. To keep things interesting, consider hosting a tournament with elimination rounds or a round-robin format.
If you don't own a cornhole set, you can DIY one using plywood, a jigsaw, and some bean bags. It's a fun project that'll be the envy of your grill-loving friends.
Ladder Ball
Ladder ball is another portable and easy-to-learn game that's perfect for barbecues. The objective is to throwbolas (aGolf ball tethered to two wooden golf ball-sized dowels) and wrap them around rungs on a three-tiered ladder to score points. To set up, simply insert the ladder into the ground and provide each team with three bolas. The team with the highest score after several rounds wins.
For a more challenging version, create a "blackout" rule where players must also aim for a specific rung to score, or add a "double dip" bonus where players can score points off each ball if it wraps around the top rung.
Creative Barbecue Party Games
If you're looking to mix things up and keep your guests guessing, consider these creative and engaging games that celebrate the best of summer.
Watermelon Eating Contest
What's a barbecue party without some friendly competition? A watermelon eating contest is a satisfying and cool way to keep guests engaged on a hot day. To set up, simply slice watermelons into wedges or chunks, provide each contestant with a plate, and have them race to see who can eat the most in a set time, usually three minutes. Encourage contestants to keep their hands behind their back for an extra challenge.
To ensure safety, ensure participants are seated comfortably, and provide plenty of napkins and water. You might also want to havebibs on hand for those who get a little overzealous with their watermelon wedges.
DIY Backyard Obstacle Course
For a more active game that encourages friendly competition, set up a DIY backyard obstacle course. This can include challenges like sofa cushion tunnels, sprinkler jumps, hula hoop limbo, or laundry basket weave-ins. To make it a game, divide guests into teams and have them complete the course in relay-style, with the fastest team winning.
For a more structured approach, use a stopwatch to time each team as they complete the course. You can also incorporate penalties for mistakes, such as having to do a silly dance or telling a joke before resuming the course.
Glow Stick Twister
As the sun sets and the barbecue winds down, bring out the glow sticks for a unique twist on a classic game. To play, simply lay out a Twister mat or create your own with masking tape on the ground, and replace the traditional colors with glow sticks of the same color. Turn off the lights and have players follow the spinner's instructions, trying to achieve increasingly difficult poses with their hands and feet on the colored circles.
For an even more challenging version, use different scents instead of colors, and have players identify the scent before making their move. This variation, known as "Sniffer," adds an extra layer of complexity and fun.
As the embers of the grill fade and the last of the ice cream melts, there's nothing left to do but raise a glass to another successful barbecue party. With this comprehensive guide, you're equipped to host the ultimate games event, filled with laughter, competition, and unforgettable moments. So go ahead, fire up the grill, and let the good times roll. Your guests will thank you for it!