Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration
  3. Activities
  4. Stages
  5. Evergreens

The best backyard summer family games under $40

By
Add as a preferred source on Google

Summertime is a chance for kids and adults to relax and unwind without the daily pressures of schoolwork, homework assignments, strict bedtimes, and fights to get out of bed. Not only does this give parents a break, but it allows families the freedom to grow and bond over sweet treats and splashes in the pool. If your family is looking for a few yard games to add to your entertainment stations around the lawn, then we have an excellent list of favorites to share with you.

From fun sprinklers to water blasters, a slip ‘n slide to moon shoes, our list has something for everyone, sure to elicit laughs and smiles for weeks to come.

Girl laying with a sprinkler
MNStudio/shutterstock

Boogem Inflatable Cactus Sprinkler

  • Easy to set up
  • Made of eco-friendly PVC plastic
  • Suitable for ages 3 and up
Recommended Videos

This easy-to-inflate and easy-to-connect backyard sprinkler toy is perfect for kids — and adults — of all ages. Its adorable cactus theme, bright colors, and oversized base make it a fun, exciting, and durable toy sure to bring smiles to all your kids’ — and grown-ups’ — faces. Complete with rings to toss onto its outstretched arms, this toy will be a big hit at your next backyard barbecue.

Biulotter Water Blasters

  • Comes in a pack of six so they’re easily shareable
  • Lightweight
  • Suitable for ages 3 and up

If your humble abode will be hosting a large gathering of kids, you may be wondering what to do with your group to keep them happy and entertained. There’s not much more quintessential to summertime fun than water blasters. These lightweight water hand-pump jets are perfect for the lawn, the swimming pool, vacations, or trips to the lake. Each pack costs less than $15, making it a fantastic and economical way to entertain the masses all summer long.

GoSports Pro Grade Ladder Toss

  • Assembly takes less than two minutes
  • Rubber bolos are kid-friendly
  • Comes with a carrying case

For a fun game sure to please any child or adult in your group, you may want to consider picking up this game of skill. With a similar concept to cornhole or toss-across, this ladder toss requires each player to toss the set of double-ended rope across to the opposing side, attempting to “hook” it onto the ladder. Each rung equates to a set number of points, and the team with the most points wins. This game is excellent for adults, kids, or a family vs. family ultimate showdown.

Wham-O Slip N Slide Double Rider

  • Comes with two inflatable riding floats
  • Offers 2-lane and 3-lane options
  • Recommended for ages 5-12

Another traditional backyard family favorite is a good ‘ol slip ‘n slide. That being said, you didn’t really think we’d share something plain-Jane or boring, did you? This double Rider Slip N Slide from Wham-O offers kids — or adults — an afternoon of laughs and giggles while expending energy and soaking up the sunshine. This version of the classic outdoor summer activity comes equipped with two inflatable riding floats, saving your child’s chest from those painful abrasions their parents likely received as kids.

Big Time Toys Moon Shoes

  • No tools needed to assemble
  • One size fits all
  • Recommended for ages 7-15 (fits up to a size 9 men’s shoe and can hold up to 160 lbs)

Speaking of parents and their childhoods, any mom or dad born in the ’80s or early ’90s will likely remember a previous version of these amazing anti-gravity moon shoes. Referred to as “trampolines strapped to your feet,” moon shoes are a super-fun way to experience space life and play like an astronaut on the moon. Once strapped on, kids can enjoy simply jumping, playing outdoor games like hopscotch or tag, or can add a jump rope for a new level of anti-gravity entertainment.

So, whether your kids want to jump like an astronaut, play sneak-attack with water blasters, or want to slide across the lawn in an all-out water-infused battle, our list of summertime favorites are sure to pack your lawn with fun every single day this summer. With all our options under the $40 mark, these summertime toys also save your pocketbook a little cash, as well, so what are you waiting for? Grab these goodies and hit the yard for hours of fun and laughter, no matter what your age.

Emily Pidgeon
Emily Pidgeon
Former Author
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

Ear piercings for kids: A complete guide for parents
Thinking about ear piercings for your children, read this first
cute baby sitting in a box with pierced ears

Do you have ear piercings? Many people do. Most get their ears pierced for the first time as teens. For some, ear piercings are typically dictated by family and cultural traditions. Some parents believe strongly in getting their child's ears pierced as infants or toddlers.

While others wouldn't consider it until their children are older. For parents who don't have ear piercings, the decision may not even come up until your child asks. So, if you have questions about when, where, and how to go about getting your child's ears pierced, we've got your go-to guide.
Ear piercings for kids

Read more
Do you agree with these unpopular parenting opinions?
Everyone has an opinion on parenting styles, what's yours?
Parent scolding teen about electronic device

Pretty much everyone has an opinion on parenting kids and the boundaries children and teens have or don't have, including people who aren't parents. Sounds crazy, right, but it's true. Some of the most opinionated people on parenting don't actually have kids to worry about. E

veryone has an opinion,n though. A recent Reddit discussion focused on unpopular parenting opinions that ran the gamut from screentime to letting kids do as they please and quite a few controversial things in between. So, what do you think? Do you agree with these unpopular parenting opinions or think they're too extreme?
Sounding off with unpopular parenting opinions

Read more
Do men get paternity leave? Here’s what you need to know
We know women take time off for having a baby, but do men get paternity leave?
A parent holding a newborn baby in the hospital room

When a woman finds out she is pregnant, part of the initial planning is figuring out maternity leave, from when it will start to how long it will be. While we immediately think of the time the mom will take off work for the baby, what about the dad? Do men get paternity leave? Here's what you need to understand about dads taking time off work for the birth of a child.
If men get paternity leave, here's how they can take it

There are a few options for the dad to take time off work for the birth of a baby, and it's all pretty similar to how a mother would take maternity leave. There are types of leave dads can't take since they aren't the ones having the medical procedure or going through the actual birth, but there are some workarounds.
Take FMLA
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) allows mothers, fathers, and non-birthing parents to take up to 12 weeks off work to care for a new child. The time off is unpaid, but your position will be there for you when you return. There are rules and stipulations to use FMLA depending on where you work and for how long, and you may not qualify to use it under certain conditions, so talk to your employer as soon as you find out your partner is pregnant to know your options. FMLA is amazing if you qualify, but please remember it is unpaid. 
Use your PTO and vacation time
Another way to take some time off (and still get paid for it) is to use your PTO and vacation time. The second you know your partner is pregnant, start saving up your time. Talk with your HR department to see how much time off you can stack together and see if they will work with you on how to best use your time. If you can't use it all at once, see about peppering days off throughout the week to get you down to only working one to three days a week so you can still be home quite a bit.
Use unpaid time
Another option is to talk to your HR department about unpaid time off. Depending on how long you have been with the company, you could be entitled to an extended unpaid leave or a sabbatical, or your work will let you take time off for certain things like a medical issue or the birth of a child. This is another unpaid way to take time off, so you need to plan appropriately. 
What is paternity leave?

Read more