As soon as the temperatures rise, the party moves outdoors — and with the right games, time together outside turns into an afternoon that's guaranteed to bring the mood up. Outdoor drinking games for adults are quick to set up, need hardly any equipment and get every round going fast. Alongside the well-known classics, there are a few games that not everyone knows yet — those are exactly the ones we're introducing here with full rules. So you'll always have the right game ready for your next garden party, barbecue or day outdoors.
Last updated: 6 June 2024
What makes a good outdoor drinking game for adults? A game that makes use of the space outside, is quick to explain and works for a group of adults — from throwing and skill games to sociable team contests. Ideally it gets by with little equipment, is sturdy enough for outdoors and sparks a bit of competitive spirit.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the SwigSki3000® — four people, one ski, one shot in rhythm. More on that further down ↓
Fresh Outdoor Drinking Games Not Everyone Knows Yet
KanJam (Frisbee Target Game)
A throwing game for two teams of two: at each end of the playing field stands a bin with a slot at the front. One player throws the frisbee toward the bin, and their teammate can still deflect it to score a hit. A direct hit or a throw through the slot earns points — the losing team of each round takes a sip. Combines skill and teamwork and is a hit in the garden as much as in the park.
Stack Cup
Everyone sits in a circle, each with a cup, and an empty "target cup" sits in the middle. Taking turns, each player tries to bounce a ping-pong ball into their own cup. If it lands, they pass their cup to their neighbour — who now also has to score a hit before passing it on. If a player catches up with the person ahead and stacks their cup on top of theirs, that person has to drink. A fast-paced reaction game for the whole group.
Wizard Staff (the Magic Wand)
A game with cult status: everyone tapes their empty cans together and, over the course of the evening, builds an ever-longer "magic wand". Whoever has the longest wand becomes the "wizard" and gets to set the rules. A word of caution: this can add up fast, so play with a light or alcohol-free drink. A silly, endless bit of fun that brings the whole group together.
Drinking the Shotski together and a product walkthrough of the modular … – @apresallstars
Handy side effect: because the SwigSki3000® is made of four separately removable modules, it goes straight in the dishwasher after the round instead of into a corner.
Reaction & Skill Games
Slap Cup
The fast-paced variant of Stack Cup: two players bounce a ball into their cup at the same time. Whoever scores first passes it on, while the slower player tries to catch up. If the faster player catches up with the slower one, their cup gets knocked away (hence "Slap") and they have to drink. Fast, loud and perfect for outdoors.
Flunkyball
The lawn classic can't be missing: two teams face each other with an empty bottle in the middle and a full drink in front of each player. One team throws a ball at the bottle — if they hit it, everyone drinks until the other team has stood the bottle back up and shouted "Stop!". Whoever empties their drink first wins.
Beer Pong
The international evergreen: two teams, a pyramid of cups at each end of the table, taking turns throwing a ball into them. A hit means drinking up and removing the cup. Whoever clears their side first wins — plays especially well on a sturdy garden table.
Outdoor Drinking Games for Big Groups or a Small Round
When choosing, it helps to look at the group and the location. For a small, cosy round, reaction games like Stack Cup and Slap Cup work best, because everyone is involved the whole time. For bigger groups, team contests like KanJam, Flunkyball and Beer Pong are ideal, because they bring in lots of players at once and spark the competitive spirit. When there's plenty of space, throwing games like KanJam and Flunkyball really come into their own; in tight spots, a table and a few cups are enough for Stack Cup and Beer Pong. And if you just want things silly and sociable, Wizard Staff is the classic that keeps the round busy all evening. A good tip for any outdoor afternoon: start with a simple reaction game as an icebreaker, then work up to the more active team contests — that way the mood builds up in stages.
Handy side effect: because the SwigSki3000® is made of four separately removable modules, it goes straight in the dishwasher after the round instead of into a corner.
Tips for Outdoor Drinking Games with Adults
- Shatterproof materials: Outdoors calls for sturdy cups and wooden gadgets instead of glass.
- Plenty of water & shade: In the sun, drink water in between and set up shaded spots.
- Light drinks for volume games: For games like Wizard Staff, play with a light or alcohol-free drink.
- Safe playing area: Keep throwing games well away from windows, flower beds and other people.
- Playing alcohol-free: Every game works just as well with a spritzer or juice, so everyone can join in.
Tip from experience: labelling one of the Miniski Roulette's four blank discs with just your own inside jokes turns every evening into its own game.
More Drinking Game Inspiration
You'll find more rules in the best drinking games and the drinking games without equipment. For the big celebration, the summer party drinking games are a great fit, and for the pool, try the pool party drinking games.
FAQ
What are some outdoor drinking games for adults?
Alongside classics like Flunkyball and Beer Pong, it's worth trying fresher games like KanJam, Stack Cup, Slap Cup and Wizard Staff. They're quick to explain, sturdy for outdoors and spark the competitive spirit.
Which outdoor drinking game isn't so well known yet?
Many people don't yet know KanJam (a frisbee team game), Stack Cup and Slap Cup (fast-paced cup reaction games), or Wizard Staff — which is exactly why they add some variety.
Which game suits a big group?
Team contests like KanJam, Flunkyball and Beer Pong bring in lots of players at once and are perfect for big outdoor rounds.
Which game works for a small round?
Reaction games like Stack Cup and Slap Cup, because everyone stays involved the whole time. Wizard Staff also works well even in small rounds.
What should you keep in mind with outdoor drinking games?
Shatterproof materials, enough water and shade, a safe playing area for throwing games, and a light drink for volume games like Wizard Staff.
Do the games also work without alcohol?
Yes, every outdoor drinking game works just as well with a spritzer, juice or water. Especially for reaction and volume games, that's often the smarter choice.
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Summer party drinking games ·
Pool party drinking games