The backyard is the sociable spot where the party spills right out into the neighbourhood: you sit close to the street, wave at neighbours walking past and end up chatting with people in minutes. That's exactly why icebreaker and get-to-know-you games work so well here — games that turn strangers into friends and pull the whole group in. Below you'll find the best backyard drinking games with full rules, plus tips for hosting a sociable party right on the street.
Last updated: 6 June 2024
What makes a good backyard drinking game? A sociable game that brings the group together and works even with new faces — usually an icebreaker, guessing or party game you can play sitting down. Perfect for the backyard or garden, where you're often mingling with neighbours and passers-by and want to break the ice fast.
💡 By the way: this is exactly why we built the wooden mini skis — add a glass and a binding and you get the original wearable ski. More on that below ↓
Backyard and garden drinking games to break the ice
Human Bingo (Find someone who …)
The perfect icebreaker for a mixed group: everyone gets a card with squares like "has been to Australia", "plays an instrument", "has already exercised today". You walk around and find someone who fits each square to sign it. Whoever fills a row first shouts "Bingo!" — everyone else takes a sip. Gets the whole group talking, especially when not everyone already knows each other.
The profile bluff
Everyone writes down three statements about themselves — two true, one made up. Taking turns, each person reads theirs out loud and the group guesses which statement is the lie. Whoever guesses wrong drinks; whoever fools everyone gets to hand out a sip. You learn the most surprising things about people in no time.
The name chain
A memory game that teaches everyone's names at the same time: the first person says their name with a gesture, the next repeats both and adds their own — and so on around the circle. Whoever forgets a name or a gesture takes a sip. By the end of one round, the whole group knows everyone's name — pure gold with new faces.
A fun summer explainer video of how our products work … – @apresallstars
Good to know: the wooden mini skis only really come into their own with a glass and a binding — that's what turns them into the original wearable ski.
Sociable guessing and betting games
Who in the circle …?
An icebreaker full of "aha" moments: taking turns, everyone asks a "Who among us …?" question ("Who's travelled furthest to get here today?", "Who lives the farthest away?"). Everyone points at who they think it is, all at once. Whoever gets pointed at the most tells the story behind it and the group toasts to it. Gets conversations and connections going fast.
The guessing round
One person asks a guessing question about the group ("How many of us have been to a concert by this band?", "How many pets do we have between us?"). Everyone guesses a number, and whoever is furthest off drinks. A simple game that generates conversation almost by accident.
Category chain
One person names a category ("streets in our neighbourhood", "summer drinks", "TV shows"). Taking turns, everyone names an example without repeating one already said. Whoever hesitates or takes too long takes a sip. Needs no equipment and works with any number of players.
Mini-Ski Roulette from Apres Allstars
Spin-the-bottle in ski form for your backyard crew: give it a spin, land on a person — and it's decided who answers the next question or takes a drink. Compact and sturdy enough for outdoors.
Shop now →Street-side parties: consideration and hospitality
The backyard, or front garden, is a semi-public spot — you're on your own patch of green, but clearly visible from the street. That's a big part of the charm: you easily fall into conversation with neighbours and passers-by, and a small gathering quickly turns into a sociable street party. To keep it enjoyable for everyone, a little consideration goes a long way. Keep the noise reasonable, especially after 10 pm once quiet hours begin, and don't block the pavement or any driveways. A nice touch is simply inviting your direct neighbours — in a backyard or garden setting, that often turns into a small street party all on its own. Use unbreakable cups instead of glass so there's no broken glass left lying in the grass, and put out non-alcoholic drinks too so that everyone can join in. Mix that openness with a bit of consideration and your backyard becomes the most sociable spot on the whole street.
Good to know: the wooden mini skis only really come into their own with a glass and a binding — that's what turns them into the original wearable ski.
Tips for your backyard party
- Choose icebreaker games: They bring new guests and neighbours into the group fast.
- Invite the neighbours: In a backyard or garden setting, this often turns into a spontaneous street party.
- Keep pathways clear: Don't block the pavement or any driveways.
- Unbreakable materials and non-alcoholic options: Provide sturdy wooden cups and alcohol-free drinks.
- Quieten down after 10 pm: Turn the volume down once quiet hours start.
The mini skis also work as standalone table decoration: four in a set, and your table has instant mountain vibes.
More drinking game inspiration
Find more rules over at drinking games without equipment and our best drinking games. For the backyard, try the backyard drinking games, and for a bigger garden party, the garden party drinking games.
FAQ
Which drinking games work well in a backyard?
Sociable icebreaker and guessing games like Human Bingo, the profile bluff, the name chain, "Who in the circle …?", the guessing round and category chain. They bring new faces into the group fast.
Which game works best when the group doesn't know each other?
Human Bingo, the profile bluff and the name chain are ideal icebreakers — they get everyone talking and teach the names along the way.
How do I throw a considerate backyard party?
Keep the noise reasonable (especially after 10 pm), leave the pavement and driveways clear, invite the neighbours and use unbreakable materials.
What is Human Bingo?
An icebreaker game: everyone looks for people who match the squares on their card ("has been to Australia", etc.) and gets them to sign. The first full row shouts "Bingo!" — everyone else drinks.
Which drinking gadget suits a backyard party?
Sociable, unbreakable wooden gadgets like wearable Miniskis or a Mini-Ski Roulette. They're the perfect icebreaker for striking up conversation with new guests.
Do the games work without alcohol too?
Yes, every backyard drinking game works just as well with spritzers, juice or water. That way everyone can join in, even if they're not drinking or still driving.
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