As Labor Day rolls around, it’s time to celebrate the hard work that keeps our world turning—with a well-deserved day of fun, relaxation, and, of course, a good old-fashioned BBQ!
But what’s a Labor Day picnic without the perfect lineup of games to keep everyone entertained? Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or a park picnic, we’ve got you covered with a fantastic list of 100 games that are sure to bring smiles, laughter, and a healthy dose of competition.
Now on to the list. We have broken it down into different categories: outdoor, picnic table, kids. Enjoy!
Outdoor Games for Labor Day BBQ
Transform your Labor Day picnic into an unforgettable day of fun with these classic and creative outdoor games! Whether you’re looking to challenge your friends with strategic games like Bocce Ball and Kubb, or aiming for high-energy excitement with Tug of War and Dodgeball, there’s something for everyone.
Cornhole Tournament – Classic bean bag toss with a competitive edge.
Horseshoes – Aim for the stake in this traditional backyard game.
Ladder Toss – Toss bolas onto a ladder for points.
Giant Jenga – Stack and remove blocks carefully to avoid a tumble. Tip: get a set that has a straightener to make setup a breeze.
Bocce Ball – Roll balls close to the pallino in this fun lawn game.
Frisbee Golf – Set up makeshift “holes” and aim for them with frisbees.
Three-Legged Race – Pairs race while tied at the leg for a challenging sprint.
Water Balloon Toss – Partner up and see who can toss a water balloon the farthest without breaking it.
Relay Races – Combine different activities like egg balancing, spoon races, and more.
Tug of War – Test strength and teamwork in a rope-pulling competition.
Scavenger Hunt – Create a themed hunt around the party area.
Kubb – Knock down the other team’s blocks before hitting the king. It’s a bit like bowling but without a ball. You can check out Kubb sets here.
Spikeball – A fast-paced, 2-on-2 volleyball-inspired game.
KanJam – Throw frisbees to hit or slot into a can. Tip: if you are going to get a KanJam set for Labor Day, be sure to get the American Flag version.
Ring Toss – Aim for the stakes and ring them for points.
Croquet – Navigate wickets in this classic lawn game.
Badminton – Lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock make for an engaging game.
Kickball – A twist on baseball, perfect for large groups.
Giant Connect Four – Life-size version of the classic Connect Four game. There are beautiful wooden sets, but the plastic versions are so easy to move around.
Tetherball – Hit the ball around the pole to outplay your opponent.
Dodgeball – A high-energy game where players aim to knock out opponents.
Capture the Flag – Strategy and speed are key in this team game.
Mini-Golf – Set up a DIY course in the yard.
Obstacle Course – Create a course with different challenges for participants to overcome.
Giant Yahtzee – Roll large dice and score points just like in the original game.
Slip ‘n Slide – Cool off with a fun water slide challenge.
Balloon Darts – Pop balloons with darts for points.
Human Ring Toss – Use hula hoops and try to ring them onto teammates.
Flickin’ Chicken – Toss rubber chickens toward a target, adjusting each round.
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe – Use large pieces or chalk on the lawn.
Human Foosball – Set up a life-sized foosball game with people as players.
Wiffle Ball – A lighter version of baseball, perfect for all ages.
Glow Stick Capture the Flag – Play after dark with glowing sticks.
Kick the Can – A mix of hide and seek and tag, with a can involved.
Beach Volleyball – Play on sand or grass for a fun, energetic game.
Sardines – A reverse hide-and-seek game where one person hides and others join in.
Water Balloon Piñata – Hang water balloons and take turns trying to break them.
Bumper Balls – Wear inflatable balls and bump into each other.
Giant Dominoes – Line up oversized dominoes and topple them.
Quoits – A ring-toss game similar to horseshoes but with rope rings. You can find the full rules here.
Crokinole – Shoot discs across a board to land them in high-scoring areas. Checking out the Crokinole game board is the best way to understand how the game works.
Mini Soccer – Set up small goals for a quick soccer match.
Kite Flying – Have a competition for the highest or most creative kite.
Plunger Relay Race – Carry an object using only a plunger.
Giant Pick-Up Sticks – Play a lawn version of this classic game with oversized sticks.
Parachute Games – Use a large parachute for group games like “popcorn” or “mushroom.”
Snowball Fight (with Sponges) – Use soaked sponges for a summer twist on a snowball fight.
Human Tic-Tac-Toe – Players become the pieces in this interactive version.
Field Hockey – Use a ball and small sticks to play a fun version of hockey on the lawn.
Picnic Table Games for a Labor Day BBQ
After enjoying a delicious BBQ, gather around the picnic table for some classic and engaging games that are perfect for all ages. Whether you’re testing your trivia knowledge with Trivial Pursuit or strategizing your next move in Chess or Checkers, these games provide the perfect mix of fun and relaxation.
Card Games – Bring out a deck for games like Spades, Hearts, or Go Fish.
Dominoes – Set up a game of Mexican Train or classic Dominoes.
Checkers – Easy to set up and play outdoors.
Uno – Fast-paced, family-friendly card game.
Chess – For those who enjoy a strategic challenge.
Pictionary – Guess what’s being drawn before time runs out.
Charades – Act out phrases without speaking.
Scrabble – A word game that’s easy to play outdoors.
Monopoly Deal – A quicker, card-based version of Monopoly. This version of the game is such a great way to enjoy classic Monopoly in any setting.
Trivial Pursuit – Test knowledge with trivia questions.
Scattergories – Think fast to fill out categories before time runs out.
Clue – Solve the mystery in this classic board game.
Taboo – Get your team to guess the word without using forbidden words.
Bananagrams – A fast-paced word game using letter tiles.
Rummikub – Combine tiles to form groups or runs.
Balderdash – Make up definitions for obscure words and guess which one is real.
Cranium – A game that mixes sketching, trivia, word puzzles, and acting.
Apples to Apples – Compare cards for the funniest or most fitting match.
Mancala – An ancient game of strategy using stones or seeds.
Guess Who? – A two-player game where you guess the opponent’s character.
Battleship – Sink your opponent’s ships before they sink yours.
Phase 10 – A rummy-type card game with a twist.
Boggle – Shake up the letters and find words before time runs out.
Ticket to Ride – A board game about building train routes across the country. Ticket to Ride has several variations, the European version is one of our favorites.
Sequence – Play cards to place chips on the board and form sequences.
Qwirkle – A tile-based game where you match colors and shapes.
The Game of Life – Travel through life events in this classic board game.
Risk – A strategy board game about global domination.
Exploding Kittens – A card game of strategy and luck with a quirky twist.
Carcassonne – A tile-laying game where you build cities, roads, and fields.
Backgammon – A classic board game of strategy and luck.
Pegs and Jokers – A board game where pegs move around a board based on cards.
Telestrations – A drawing and guessing game similar to “Telephone.”
Othello – A classic strategy game of flipping discs to dominate the board.
Mafia – A social deduction game of bluffing and intrigue.
Blokus – A strategy game where you try to fit your pieces on the board.
Catch Phrase – Guess the word or phrase based on descriptions from your team.
Codenames – A word game where you give clues to find your team’s words. This game is easy to learn and it can be played over and over.
Twister – A game of flexibility and balance on a colored mat.
Kids’ Games for Labor Day Picnic
Keep the little ones entertained and active with these classic and exciting kids’ games, perfect for your Labor Day picnic! Whether they’re racing to pop balloons, chasing each other in Duck, Duck, Goose, or cooling off with a water gun fight, these games guarantee endless fun.
Pin the Tail on the Donkey – Classic game with a blindfold twist.
Water Balloon Dodgeball – A fun way to turn the chaos of a water balloon fight into a more organized affair. You learn how to set this up in our complete Waterballoon Dodgeball guide.
Simon Says – Follow commands but only when “Simon” says!
Duck, Duck, Goose – A game of tagging and chasing.
Red Light, Green Light – A fun stop-and-go game.
Freeze Tag – Get tagged and freeze until someone unfreezes you.
Balloon Pop Race – Run to a chair and pop the balloon by sitting on it.
Water Gun Fights – Keep cool with a fun water battle.
Bubble Blowing Contest – See who can blow the biggest bubble.
Sponge Relay – Carry a soaked sponge in a relay race to fill a bucket.
Red Rover – A game of teamwork and strength, ideal for kids to play together in a group.
Bounceball Tag – Make classic tag a little more challenging in this super fun contest for kids.
Freeze Dance – A fun way to get kids moving while practicing listening skills.
Hot Potato – Kids pass around a “hot potato” (like a ball) while music plays, adding excitement with minimal setup.
Find more game options for kids:
