Planning a picnic for a big group of adults can be tricky. You want everyone to have fun, but just sitting and chatting might not keep the energy up. The challenge is finding games for all ages, skill levels, and group sizes.
Picnic games for large adults are the perfect solution! These activities bring people together with laughs, friendly competition, and teamwork. From classic outdoor games like tug of war to creative DIY yard ideas like giant Connect Four, there’s something for every type of gathering.
This post will guide you through tons of exciting game options! By playing these engaging activities, your picnic will be unforgettable. Keep reading—you’re about to level up your next outdoor party!
Jump to Section [Hide]
Classic Picnic Games for Large Groups
Picnic games bring excitement to any outdoor gathering. They are simple, fun activities everyone knows and loves—perfect for big groups!
1. Tug of War
Grab a sturdy rope and split into two teams. Each team pulls the rope in opposite directions, trying to drag the other past a marked line. Play this before meals to avoid feeling too full for such an active game.
Add a twist to make it exciting! Place water balloons or bean bag toss spots near the center as fun obstacles. Tug of War is perfect for outdoor party games with large groups—it’s simple yet thrilling!
2. Sack Race
Line up everyone in sturdy sacks. Use potato sacks or large burlap bags for this game. Have players hop to the finish line while staying inside their sack. It’s harder than it looks, but it’s so much fun!
Make teams for a competitive twist. The first person hops down, returns, and passes the bag to a teammate—it’s like a relay! You can track winners with tags or small prizes. Sack races create laughs and photos you’ll love looking back on later!
3. Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is a classic elimination game. You arrange chairs in a circle, one less than the number of players. The music plays while everyone walks around the chairs. The music stops suddenly—each person must find a chair fast! The player left standing is eliminated.
Keep removing one chair each round. This makes it harder and more exciting as players compete for fewer spots. It’s simple to set up, fun to play, and great for large outdoor groups!
4. Red Light-Green Light
Play Red Light-Green Light to get everyone moving. One person acts as the “caller” and yells “green light” so players can run toward them. Shout “red light,” and everyone must freeze! If anyone moves, they go back to the starting line.
Inspired by “Squid Game,” this adds a fun twist for adults. Use music or lights instead of just voice commands for extra challenge. Turn it into an evening game with glow sticks or light-up props!
Competitive Team Games
Team games bring out the fun side of competition—get ready for laughter and friendly rivalries!
5. Cornhole
Cornhole is a fun game for adults. You toss beanbags onto a board with a hole. The goal is to get the bags in the hole or on the board for points. Boards are often customizable, so you can make them fit your picnic theme!
Setting up and playing anywhere easily, even in large groups. Use sturdy boards and colorful beanbags for better visibility. This game adds friendly competition without being too tiring—perfect for long picnics under the sun!
6. Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball is fun and easy to set up at any picnic. You only need a grassy area, eight balls, and a pallino (target ball). Split into two teams. Each team tries to toss their balls closest to the pallino.
It’s calm but still competitive! You can play while chatting or enjoying snacks. The game works for all ages, young or old. It brings everyone together in laughter and light competition! To make it even more engaging, offer tiny prizes to the winners.
7. Kubb
Kubb is perfect for a picnic with adults. It’s a team game that mixes focus, strategy, and hand-eye coordination. You toss wooden batons to knock down your opponent’s blocks while guarding your king piece.
Focusing on this mix of offense and defense keeps everyone engaged.
This game is great for socializing as you work together in teams. You’ll feel the excitement build with each turn! Kubb is suitable for groups of any size and works well on grass or dirt surfaces.
Simple rules mean anyone can jump in quickly—even beginners!
8. Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga brings great fun to any picnic. Build it using 23 boards, then paint them for a colorful touch. Stack the blocks high and take turns pulling one out while trying not to topple the tower.
This game tests your focus and hand-eye coordination. It’s perfect for large groups and gets everyone laughing. You can even customize it with bold colors or themes.
Relay Races & Active Challenges
Get ready to move and race with fun, fast-paced challenges! These games bring energy and laughter to any picnic.
9. Sack Relay Race
Grab a sack and jump your way to victory. In this game, players hop inside large sacks to reach the finish line first. Split into teams for a relay challenge adds more fun and excitement.
Use old potato sacks or sturdy bags that won’t rip easily. Start each player at the same line, then pass the sack to the next teammate after hopping back. It’s simple but hilarious!
10. Balloon Pop Relay
Teams race to pop balloons. Each player sits on a balloon and bursts it before tagging the next teammate. The first team to finish wins! The game adds laughter, excitement, and a bit of chaos.
You can make it harder by hiding small challenges inside balloons. These could be trivia questions or mini-tasks for players to complete before moving on. It will keep everyone engaged!
11. Obstacle Course Challenge
A blindfolded obstacle course adds fun and laughter to your picnic. Trust and teamwork are key here. Guide your partner through the course with only words—no touching allowed! Use everyday things like cones, chairs, or ropes as obstacles.
To boost competition, add twists, like timing each team. Mix in funny challenges, like crawling under tables or stepping over small hurdles. This will create memories and strengthen bonds!
Scavenger Hunts & Puzzle Games
Get everyone searching and solving together with scavenger hunts or brain-teasing games—perfect for sparking fun and teamwork!
12. Traditional Scavenger Hunt
Teams work to find hidden items or solve clues. You create a list of objects for players to search for during the hunt. Use simple materials like paper and a pen to write down each item or clue.
Split everyone into groups, keeping it fair with equal numbers. Set clear rules, like no hiding in unsafe spots. The team that finds all the items first wins! Add personal touches by including themed clues or unique objects tied to your picnic location.
13. Photo Scavenger Hunt
Grab your phone or camera. Create a photo scavenger hunt for everyone to enjoy. List objects, colors, or actions people need to snap pictures of—like “a red flower” or “someone laughing.” Make it fun with silly poses or hidden surprises.
Set a time limit and offer prizes for the best photos. Later, you can analyze the pictures as a group for laughs! Personalization is key; add items that match your picnic’s theme. This game combines creativity, usability, and lasting memories!
14. Trivia Challenges
Trivia challenges add a spark to any picnic. Divide everyone into teams and test their knowledge with fun questions. Keep the topics light—movies, cookies, or even company facts! Guessers can earn points for their team by answering quickly.
Make it more exciting by adding themes like werewolf myths or website analytics. Use trivia apps or create your questions inspired by advertisements you’ve seen. Add bonus rounds with lip-sync contests for extra laughs.
Fun and Unique Outdoor Activities
Try something new and exciting with your picnic group. These outdoor activities add a fun twist to the usual games, keeping everyone entertained!
15. Light-Up Frisbee
Play Light-Up Frisbee after sunset for a fun twist. The glowing frisbee makes it easy to see in the dark. Toss and catch while enjoying the cool evening air. It’s perfect for large groups or teams.
Competitions can make things exciting—see who has the best aim or longest throw! It’s also great for hide-and-seek-style games where you chase the lit-up disc through open spaces.
16. Kan Jam
Kan Jam brings excitement to any large picnic. Players toss a frisbee, aiming for a unique goal with a slot. This game is great for adults who love teamwork and friendly competition. It is also inclusive, making it fun and easy for everyone to join.
This activity boosts social interaction and creates laughter-filled moments. Try it at company picnics to improve camaraderie among employees. Modify the rules or setup if needed, but your group will still have fun playing Kan Jam!
17. Backyard Mini Golf
For your picnic, set up a fun backyard mini golf course. Use buckets, pipes, or ramps to create different holes. This game boosts teamwork and promotes friendly competition.
It’s perfect for large groups at company picnics or team events.
Pair it with other activities like giant Jenga to keep the energy high. Mini golf encourages strategy and physical activity while helping people bond. It’s also great for social interaction in casual outdoor settings!
18. Human Foosball
Human Foosball is a life-sized version of the classic tabletop game, perfect for large groups at a picnic. In this game, players play the role of the foosball figures, holding onto horizontal poles or ropes while staying in designated positions.
Teams must work together to kick a soccer ball into the opposing goal while remaining attached to the rods, limiting their movement to side-to-side shifts—just like the miniature foosball players.
This game encourages teamwork, coordination, and communication while providing plenty of laughs and friendly competition. It’s best played in an enclosed area with a soft surface, such as grass or sand.
Human Foosball is a fantastic way to bring people together for an exciting and unique outdoor challenge, whether at a corporate picnic, family gathering, or community event.
Water-Based Picnic Games
Cool off with some fun water games! These activities bring laughter, friendly competition, and excitement to your picnic.
19. Water Balloon Dodgeball
Grab some water balloons, and let the fun begin! Combine classic dodgeball with a splash of water. Split into two teams, and take turns dodging or tossing balloons at your opponents.
Each hit means someone is “out,” but getting wet makes it even more exciting.
This game keeps everyone cool on hot days while adding a playful twist to an old favorite. Use plenty of balloons—about 50 per round—so no one runs out mid-game. Get ready for laughs, splashes, and friendly competition!
20. Watermelon Eating Contest
No hands allowed! This challenge involves eating watermelon as fast as possible without using your hands. To ensure fairness, slice the watermelons into equal pieces. Set a timer or watch who finishes first—pure fun and laughter are guaranteed.
Keep napkins nearby, as things can get messy fast. Use this game to liven up the picnic while adding a competitive twist. It’s easy to set up and works well with large groups.
21. Slip ‘N Slide Relay
Grab some friends and get ready to slide! The Slip ‘N Slide Relay is all about speed, teamwork, and fun. Set up a water-covered slip ‘n slide in a long space, then divide your group into teams.
Each player slides down the slippery path and then runs back to tag the next teammate.
This game cools you down on hot days and brings plenty of laughs. It’s perfect for large gatherings like company picnics or family reunions. You’ll need coordination to win but expect friendly competition too! This refreshing activity will keep everyone engaged while boosting team spirit.
Lawn Toss & Target Games
Lawn toss games are easy to set up and fun for everyone—grab some friends and start aiming!
22. Ring Toss
Ring Toss is simple but fun. Set up poles or bottles as targets and use rings made of plastic, rope, or DIY materials. Place the setup at varying distances for different levels of difficulty.
You can get creative with neon colors to make it stand out—perfect for outdoor evening picnics. This game works as both entertainment and a friendly competition between adults. It’s excellent for large groups to join in without much setup time!
23. Bean Bag Toss
Bean Bag Toss is fun and easy for everyone. You need a board with a hole and beanbags to play. Make the game yourself using tutorials like Mod Podge Rocks. Customize your boards with colors or designs and match them to party themes.
Set up the board on any lawn or flat area. Players throw beanbags, aiming for the hole—the closer you get, the more points you score! This game works great for large groups at picnics or outdoor parties.
It’s perfect for competition or casual fun with friends.
24. DIY Ladder Golf
Build your ladder golf set with simple materials. Use PVC pipes, golf balls, and nylon ropes. Cut the PVC into three ladders and connect them using elbow joints. Drill holes in the golf balls and thread them onto the rope to make bolos.
Paint or decorate each ladder for a fun look! The game lets you score points by throwing bolos onto the rungs. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and perfect for outdoor picnics.
Check out tutorials like Addicted 2 DIY for step-by-step instructions!
Social and Icebreaker Games
Break the ice and get everyone chatting with these fun group activities. These games spark laughter, build connections, and keep the energy high!
25. Charades
Act out clues without speaking to make others guess the word. This classic game makes everyone laugh and gets people moving. You can mimic actions, pretend to use objects, or act like animals.
Use categories like movies, songs, or famous people to keep it fun and varied. Play in teams for an added challenge—time each round with a phone timer!
26. Mafia
Mafia, also called Werewolf or Assassin, is perfect for large groups. You need cards and a moderator to lead the game. Players take on roles as villagers, mafia members, and other characters.
The goal is to figure out who the mafia are before they “eliminate” everyone else.
This outdoor game helps people bond through teamwork and fun debates. It is especially effective at picnics, encouraging social interaction and laughter. Plus, its flexible rules make it easy to play anywhere!
27. 21 Questions
21 Questions is a fun guessing game for picnics. You think of an object, animal, or person—others ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to figure it out. The challenge makes everyone curious and engaged.
Large groups love this game because it’s simple and social. Offer rewards for correct guesses to boost excitement! It works well outdoors, creating memorable moments at your picnic.
DIY Picnic Game Ideas
Make the picnic even more fun with DIY games! Get creative, use simple materials, and add a personal touch to your activities.
28. DIY Giant Lawn Dice
Grab some wooden blocks and sand them smooth. Cut each block into a 3.5-inch cube for the perfect size. Use black paint or stickers to add dots, just like regular dice.
Seal the cubes with outdoor polyurethane for durability. These giant lawn dice are great for games like Yardzee or Farkle. They’ll make your picnic extra fun!
29. DIY Giant Connect Four
Make your giant Connect Four with simple materials. For the board and pieces, use plywood and colorful plastic cups. Build a sturdy frame to hold it upright, ensuring it can withstand outdoor play during your picnic.
This game is perfect for strategy lovers. Aim to get four in a row—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. It’s big enough to grab attention but easy to put together! Fun for adults and kids alike at any gathering.
30. DIY Ring Toss
You can craft a fun ring-toss game with simple items: target bottles, wood boards, or even stakes in the ground. Gather rope or plastic rings to toss.
Brighten up your setup by painting bottles in bold colors or wrapping them in lights for evening games. This inexpensive activity is easy to store and perfect for any picnic group size!
The Bottom Line
Picnic games bring people together and make outdoor gatherings exciting and fun. From classics like Tug of War to creative DIY ideas, there’s something for everyone. These activities are easy to plan and keep your guests laughing and engaged.
Get ready to enjoy fresh air, good company, and unforgettable memories!
