Blue sky, sun on your skin and a cold drink in hand — there's not much better than a relaxed summer day with friends. And with the right summer drinking games, the lazy sunny afternoon turns into a day that flies by. For a relaxed summer, the best games are the ones you can play comfortably in a deck chair, on the picnic blanket or at the patio table — no effort, plenty of laughs. Here are the best summer drinking games with full instructions.
Last updated: 6 June 2024
What makes a good summer drinking game for a relaxed day? A game that needs no real effort and not much movement, and can be played sitting or lying down — usually with cards, dice, a small gadget or just the group itself. Ideal for a laid-back sunny afternoon, where the fun comes first and nobody has to run around.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the Miniski Roulette — the fair random picker instead of spin the bottle. More on that below ↓
Summer drinking games: relaxed card & dice games
Drunk Jenga
The wobbly tower with a twist: before you start, label the blocks of a Jenga tower with small tasks or drinking rules ("Everyone in a blue shirt drinks", "Take two sips", "Hand out three sips"). Whoever pulls a block carries out the task written on it. Whoever topples the tower takes an extra sip and rebuilds it. Perfect for the patio table, because you play it comfortably seated.
Drinking Uno
The popular card game with drinking rules: draw cards don't just make you draw, they make you drink too — a "Draw 2" means two sips, a "Draw 4" means four. On a colour change, the player who played it decides who drinks, and anyone who forgets to say "Uno" takes a penalty sip. A relaxed classic for the shady corner of the garden.
Blackjack drinking game
Played like the classic card game: get as close as possible to 17 (or 21) without going over. Whoever busts or has the lowest hand takes a sip. A calm game for the afternoon that combines tension with relaxation.
A great reel from an apres ski party on the Axamer slope… – @apresallstars
Sick of the eternal "Whose turn is it?" — spin the Miniski Roulette instead of the bottle: four writable discs are included, so you can write your own rules on it.
Laid-back games with zero movement
Most Likely To
A game that fits perfectly into a deck chair. Taking turns, everyone asks a "Who's most likely to …?" question ("Who's most likely to oversleep and miss the flight?", "Who's most likely to walk up to a celebrity?"). On the count of three, everyone points at the person they think fits best. Whoever gets pointed at the most takes a sip. Guaranteed to spark the funniest discussions.
I Spy — drinking edition
The childhood classic gets a summer twist: one person picks something nearby and names its colour. The others guess. Whoever guesses right gets to hand out a sip; whoever guesses last or gives up drinks themselves. Perfect, because all you need is the view in front of you.
Bottle cap toss
A calm game of skill: set a cup or bucket down a few metres away. Everyone tries to toss a bottle cap into it. A hit means you get to hand out a sip; if you miss the whole round, you drink yourself. You can play it comfortably from your chair.
Sunshine categories
A word game for the shady corner of the group: one person calls out a summer category ("ice cream flavours", "cocktails", "holiday destinations", "things at the beach"). Taking turns, everyone names an example without repeating one. Whoever hesitates or takes too long takes a sip. A game that needs zero equipment and gets everyone chatting.
Day drinking, done right
A relaxed summer day with a few drinks has its own special charm — but especially with sun and heat, there are a few things to keep in mind so the fun doesn't tip over. Sun and alcohol amplify each other: you feel the effects faster, and the heat draws extra fluid out of your body. That's why the most important rule for relaxed summer drinking games is to keep drinking water between rounds and take breaks in the shade. A solid base of snacks or a light meal also helps take the pace out of things. Feel free to go for lighter drinks too, like spritzers or shandy — they keep the group sociable for longer, instead of everyone getting tired by mid-afternoon. That way the sunny afternoon stays exactly what it should be: relaxed, fun and a good memory.
Sick of the eternal "Whose turn is it?" — spin the Miniski Roulette instead of the bottle: four writable discs are included, so you can write your own rules on it.
Tips for relaxed summer drinking fun
- Shade & water: in the sun, always set up shady spots and drink plenty of water.
- Lighter drinks: spritzers and shandy keep the group going longer than heavy drinks.
- Unbreakable gear: outdoors calls for sturdy cups and gadgets made of wood instead of glass.
- Don't forget sun protection: apply sunscreen, especially if you're sitting outside for hours.
- Play alcohol-free too: every game works just as well with spritzer or juice, so everyone can join in.
As table decor, the Miniskis also work on their own: four in the set, and the table instantly has a mountain theme.
Even more drinking game inspiration
You'll find more game rules in the best drinking games and drinking games without equipment. For an evening celebration, check out the summer drinking games for the summer party, and for the balcony the drinking games for the balcony.
FAQ
Which summer drinking games work for a relaxed day?
Calm card and dice games like Drunk Jenga, Drinking Uno and the blackjack drinking game, plus laid-back games with zero movement like Most Likely To, I Spy and bottle cap toss. You can play them all comfortably seated.
Which drinking games can you play in a deck chair?
Most Likely To, I Spy and card games like Drinking Uno need no movement at all and can be played relaxed, lying down or sitting.
What should you watch out for when drinking in the sun?
Sun and alcohol amplify each other — so drink plenty of water between rounds, take breaks in the shade, eat something as a base, and feel free to choose lighter drinks like spritzers.
What is Drunk Jenga?
A Jenga tower whose blocks are labelled with drinking rules. Whoever pulls a block carries out the task written on it. Whoever topples the tower takes an extra sip. Ideal for a relaxed patio table.
Which drinking gadget fits a summer day?
Sturdy wooden gadgets like Miniskis to wear around your neck or a Miniski Roulette. They're unbreakable, sun-proof and need no power.
Do the games work without alcohol too?
Yes, all the summer drinking games work just as well with spritzer, juice or water. Especially in the heat, an alcohol-free version makes sense anyway.
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Summer drinking games for the summer party ·
Drinking games for the balcony