Are you planning on hosting a tailgate party for the big game? If so, don't forget to pack some games to keep your guests entertained! From classic games like cornhole and ladder ball to newer favorites like giant Jenga and Kan Jam, there is something for everyone.
In this blog post, we will discuss eight must-have tailgating games.
1. Cornhole
Cornhole is a classic tailgating game that people of all ages can enjoy. The objective of the game is to toss bean bags into holes in a raised platform. You can play cornhole with two or four players. If you have four players, divide into two teams and stand on opposite sides of the platform. If you have two players, take turns throwing the bean bags. The first team or player to reach 21 points wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Each player gets four bean bags (or three if there are only two players)
- Stand on opposite sides of the cornhole platform, which should be 27 feet away from each other if playing with four players or 21 feet away if playing with two players.
- Take turns throwing the bean bags at the platform. If you make it into the hole, you get three points. If you land on the platform, you get one point.
- The first team or player to reach 21 points wins the game!
What You'll Need:
- Cornhole boards
- Bean bags
- Tape measure (optional)
If you want to make things more challenging, you can try playing cornhole with a smaller hole or from a farther distance. Cornhole is the perfect game for tailgates because it is easy to set up and does not require any special equipment.
2. Ladder Ball
Ladder ball is another classic tailgate game that is perfect for groups. The objective of the game is to toss bolas (two balls connected by a cord) onto a ladder. The rungs of the ladder are worth different points, so you want to aim for the highest-scoring rung. Ladder ball can be played with two or four players.
Here's how to play:
- Each player gets three bolas
- Take turns throwing the bolas at the ladder.
- The rungs of the ladder are worth different points, so you want to aim for the highest-scoring rung.
- The first team or player to reach 21 points wins the game!
What You'll Need:
- Ladder ball set
- Tape measure (optional)
Ladder ball is a fun game for tailgates because it is easy to set up and can be played by people of all ages.
3. Beer Pong
Beer pong is a classic party game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The objective of the game is to throw ping pong balls into cups of beer. If you make it into the cup, your opponent has to drink the beer. The first team or player to clear all of the cups wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Set up ten cups on each side of a table in a triangle formation.
- Fill each cup with beer.
- Each team gets ten ping pong balls.
- Take turns throwing the ping pong balls at the other team's cups.
- If you make it into the cup, your opponent has to drink the beer.
- The first team or player to clear all of the cups wins the game!
What You'll Need:
Beer pong table
Beer cups
Ping pong balls
Tape measure (optional)
Beer pong is a great game for tailgates because it can be played by people of all ages. It is also easy to set up and does not require any special equipment.
4. Giant Dominoes
Giant dominoes is a fun game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The objective of the game is to topple over giant dominoes by hitting them with smaller dominoes. The first team or player to topple over all of their giant dominoes wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Each team gets six giant dominoes.
- Take turns hitting the giant dominoes with smaller dominoes.
- The first team or player to topple over all of their giant dominoes wins the game!
What You'll Need:
- Giant Domino set
- Tape measure (optional)
Giant Dominoes is a classic family game that is perfect for tailgates. It is an easy-to-set-up outdoor game and does not require any special equipment.
5. Football Commercial Bingo
Football commercial bingo is one of the best tailgate games to play for the whole family. It's chill yet competitive and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The objective of the game is to mark off items on your bingo card every time they appear during a football commercial break. The first person or team to get five in a row wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Each person or team gets a bingo card.
- During the football game, keep an eye out for commercials.
- Whenever you see a commercial, mark off the corresponding square on your bingo card.
- The first person or team to get five in a row wins the game!
What You'll Need:
- Bingo cards
- Markers
6. Football Toss Game
The football toss game is a popular tailgate game that is perfect for friend groups. It's a rather simple game where the main objective is only to throw a football through a hanging tire. The player or team with the most points at the end of the game wins!
Here's how to play:
- Each team gets three footballs.
- Take turns throwing the footballs at the hanging tire or the other team's net. If the football goes through the tire, you get three points.
- If the football hits the net, you get one point. The team or player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
What You'll Need:
- Football Tire Toss Set
- Tape measure (optional)
7. Jenga Jumbo Size Versions
Jenga is a classic fun game for everyone. It's a high-energy game that is perfect for outdoor tailgates. For those who haven't played Jenga before, the main goal of the game is to remove one block at a time from the Jenga tower and then stack it on top without knocking over the whole structure. The person who knocks over the tower loses the game!
What You'll Need:
- Jenga set
- A table to set the Jenga tower on
To spice up this game with friends, you can opt to get the giant Jenga version and play it in the parking lot. Now, the loser can have a little punishment or dare to do it. No matter what size you choose to play with, Jenga is always a great game to bring to any tailgate party.
8. Rubber Horseshoes
The idea for rubber horseshoes came about as a safer alternative to metal horseshoes. Rubber horseshoes are popular for both indoor and outdoor use. The game is similar to the classic game of horseshoes, but instead of metal horseshoes, you throw rubber ones at stake in the ground. The player or team who scores the most points wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Each team gets four rubber horseshoes.
- Take turns tossing the horseshoes at stake in the ground.
- If the horseshoe lands around the stake, you score one point.
- If the horseshoe hits the stake, you score three points.
- The team or player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
What You'll Need:
- Rubber Horseshoes Set
- Stake in the ground
9. KanJam
KanJam is a popular team game that is also perfect for tailgates. To play KanJam, you need two teams of two people each. The goal of the game is to score points by throwing a Frisbee into your team's KanJam can, into or onto the Kan, which is a raised container. The first team to score 21 points wins the game!
Here's how to play:
- Each team gets two KanJams and one Frisbee or flying disc.
- Take turns throwing the Frisbee at your team's KanJam can.
- If the Frisbee goes into the can, you score three points. If it goes into or onto the Kan, you score one point. The team that scores 21 points first wins the game!
What You'll Need:
- Frisbee or flying disc
- Two KanJams
- A table or raised surface to set the KanJam cans on
10. Water Balloon Toss
The water balloon toss is a classic tailgate game that is perfect for a hot day. Like any water balloon toss, the goal is to throw and catch a water balloon without dropping it. Each opposing team will be given a set of water balloons, and to start the game, they will stand across from each other. When the signal is given, they will start to toss the balloon back and forth until one team drops their balloon or the balloon pops. The first team to drop their balloon or have their balloon pop loses the round!
What You'll Need:
- Water balloons
- A cooler of ice water to keep the balloons cold
This game is simple yet so much fun and is best played on a grassy area. It's also a great outdoor game to show your competitive side, plus it will surely get everyone at the tailgate party laughing and having a good time.
Start the Perfect Tailgate with These Games
Now that you know which games to pack for your next tailgate party, all that's left to do is have fun! There's nothing like spending time with friends and family, enjoying good food and drinks, and rooting for your favorite team. Round up some friends, fire up the grill, and get ready to have a blast! So, whether you're looking for something to keep the kids entertained or something to get the adults competitive, there's sure to be a game for you! And don't forget to pack these essential tailgate games. Trust us; they'll make your tailgate party even more enjoyable.