TL;DR
Outdoor gaming requires wind management (weights, clips, enclosed spaces), shade (direct sun damages components and players), and game selection (avoid paper money, loose cards, tiny tokens). Best outdoor games: dice-heavy, chunky components, wind-resistant. Avoid: light cards, paper components, games requiring flat surfaces. Backup plan essential—British weather is British weather.
Last June, a sudden gust sent our Catan resource cards scattering across the garden. We spent twenty minutes retrieving them from hedges and flower beds. One sheep card remains missing, presumably claimed by the garden.
Outdoor gaming is wonderful when it works. Making it work requires planning.
Why Game Outside?
Beyond the obvious joy of sunshine and fresh air:
- Novelty effect: Familiar games feel fresh in new environments
- Space: Gardens offer room for larger groups
- Social: Combines gaming with barbecue/party hosting
- Comfort: On nice days, outside beats stuffy interiors
- Photography: Natural light makes beautiful game shots
The Enemies of Outdoor Gaming
Three forces conspire against garden gaming. Manage them all.
Wind
Even "calm" days have enough breeze to:
- Scatter cards across lawns
- Tip lightweight components
- Blow rulebooks away
- Frustrate players endlessly
Solutions:
- Glass weights on cards/papers (use coasters, paperweights, smooth stones)
- Card clips (office binder clips work)
- Choose games without loose light components
- Position table in wind-sheltered spots
- Canopy/gazebo provides windbreak
Sun
Direct sunlight creates problems:
- Glare on glossy components
- Faded artwork over time
- Hot surfaces uncomfortable to touch
- Player discomfort and sunburn
Solutions:
- Shade structures (parasol, gazebo, tree shade)
- Position table to avoid direct sun on play surface
- Schedule during morning or evening (gentler light)
- Sunscreen and water for players
Insects
Depending on location and time:
- Wasps attracted to drinks
- Mosquitoes on exposed skin
- Various crawlies on components
Solutions:
- Citronella candles nearby
- Cover drinks between sips
- Insect repellent for players
- Accept some buggy company gracefully
💡 The Triple Check
Before setting up outside, assess: wind (can I feel any?), sun (is the table shaded?), bugs (are they active today?). If two of three are problematic, consider staying inside.
Games That Work Outdoors
Certain games handle outdoor conditions better than others.
Ideal Outdoor Games
Best Games for Garden Gaming
| Game | Why It Works | Player Count | |------|--------------|--------------| | Crokinole | Heavy, flat, no loose pieces | 2-4 | | Klask | Magnetic containment | 2 | | Hive | Chunky, heavy tiles | 2 | | Qwirkle | Dense wooden tiles | 2-4 | | Giant Jenga | Impossible to blow away | 2+ | | Quoits/Ring toss | Outdoor by design | 2+ | | Cornhole | Made for gardens | 2-4 | | Kubb | Traditional outdoor game | 2-12 |
Workable With Precautions
- Dice games: Weight the dice tray, use walls or box lids as boundaries
- Tile-laying games: Carcassonne tiles are heavy enough; playmat helps
- Chunky Euros: Azul tiles stay put; weighted player boards help
Avoid Outdoors
- Paper money (any breeze = disaster)
- Lightweight cards without sleeves
- Games with hundreds of small tokens
- Games requiring perfectly flat surfaces
- Anything irreplaceable
Setting Up Your Outdoor Gaming Space
Table Selection
Stability First
Wobbly garden furniture ruins gaming. Test before committing. Add levelling shims if needed.
Surface Quality
Slatted tables allow components to fall through gaps. Cover with tablecloth or playmat.
Height Matters
Low garden furniture makes reaching uncomfortable. Standard dining height preferred.
Shade Solutions
Parasol: Quick, portable, provides focused shade. Ensure base is weighted.
Gazebo: Best protection from sun and light rain. Setup takes time.
Natural shade: Trees work brilliantly but dappled light moves. Morning shade may become afternoon sun.
Sail canopy: Modern option, provides good coverage, requires mounting points.
Seating Arrangement
- Garden chairs often lack lumbar support—add cushions
- Ensure everyone can reach the centre
- Have alternative seating for when evening cools
Component Protection
- Playmat prevents components slipping and protects from table moisture
- Small bowls or containers corral tokens
- Card boxes weighted keep draw piles secure
- Zip-lock bags for component storage between games
Weather Contingency
British summers are... optimistic propositions.
The Rapid Retreat Plan
Always have:
- Indoor backup space ready
- Games in transportable containers (not spread across table)
- Someone monitoring weather forecasts
- Willingness to relocate mid-session
Reading the Sky
- Dark clouds approaching: 20-minute warning
- Temperature drop + wind pickup: rain imminent
- That peculiar pre-storm stillness: move now
Light Rain Protocol
A few drops? Consider covering the table with a tarp and waiting 15 minutes. Often passes.
Sustained rain? Relocate. Don't risk component damage for stubbornness.
⚠️ Warning
Moisture damages games faster than you'd expect. Humidity alone (even without rain) can warp cards and boards. On genuinely humid days, consider staying inside.
Beverages and Snacks
Outdoor gaming often pairs with barbecues and drinks. Manage the risks.
Drink Safety
- Covered cups/bottles only
- Drinks on separate surface from game
- No glasses directly on playing area
- Dark beer stains are forever
Food Protocol
- Napkins readily available
- Finger foods require clean fingers policy
- Greasy snacks (crisps, chips) away from cards
- Designated "snack hand" for serious gamers
Barbecue Timing
- Games before food (clean hands)
- Or games well after food (digested, hands washed)
- Not during cooking (divided attention, smoke exposure)
Evening Transition
As summer evenings draw in, conditions change.
Lighting Solutions
When natural light fades:
- Solar garden lights (adequate for casual games)
- String lights (atmospheric, limited visibility)
- Portable lanterns (best for actual play)
- Move inside when squinting begins
Temperature Shifts
- Keep blankets accessible
- Light jackets nearby
- Know when cold becomes uncomfortable (varies by person)
- Don't force cold people to stay out
Insect Escalation
Evening often brings increased insect activity. Citronella may not suffice. Be prepared to retreat.
Garden Games Beyond the Board
Outdoor sessions pair well with physical games.
Classic Garden Games
- Croquet: Timeless, social, skill-based
- Kubb: Viking throwing game, competitive, excellent
- Cornhole: American favourite, easy to learn
- Boules/Pétanque: French classic, strategic
- Giant garden chess/draughts: Visual impact, strategic depth
Dexterity Options
- Molkky: Finnish skittles, endlessly replayable
- Giant Connect Four: Indoor game, outdoor scale
- Ladder golf: Easy throwing game
These can warm up or cool down sessions, provide variety, and accommodate larger groups.
Hosting an Outdoor Game Day
Planning a garden gaming event requires coordination.
Invitations Should Include
- "Weather dependent" caveat
- Suggested clothing (layers for evening)
- Sunscreen reminder
- Dietary/drink preferences
- Parking/transport logistics
Setup Checklist
✓ Packing Checklist
- □Table(s) and seating
- □Shade structure
- □Playmats/tablecloths
- □Component weights and clips
- □Selected games (outdoor-appropriate)
- □Backup games (indoor if needed)
- □Drinks station (separate from gaming)
- □Snacks (clean-hand options)
- □Sunscreen station
- □Insect repellent
- □Blankets for evening
- □Lighting for evening
- □First aid basics
- □Phone chargers
Timeline Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
What if components blow away?
Search immediately. Check hedges, under furniture, in flower beds. Accept some losses philosophically. This is why we don't take irreplaceable games outside.
Can I use sleeved cards outdoors?
Yes—sleeves add weight and protection. Still use weights on draw piles. Matte sleeves reduce glare better than glossy.
What about gaming on grass?
Possible but challenging. Uneven surfaces frustrate. Blankets slide. Better as casual activity than serious gaming. Bring folding tables if possible.
Should I use my expensive games outside?
Your risk tolerance. Consider: wind resistance, humidity, sun damage, drink proximity. For pristine collections, use copies you don't mind weathering.
How do I handle guests who want to go inside?
Accommodate immediately. No one should be uncomfortable. Have indoor backup ready. Don't guilt people for preferring shelter.
What about public parks?
Possible with portable games. Challenges: no shade/tables usually, public unpredictability, component security. Picnic blanket gaming works for the right games.
Final Thoughts
That lost sheep card from Catan? It became a running joke. "The garden claimed its tribute." Some sessions become stories precisely because of their complications.
Outdoor gaming won't replace indoor sessions—but on the right day, with the right preparation, it offers something special. Sunshine on your face, drinks in hand, games on the table, friends around you.
Just weight down those cards.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team owns three parasols, a collection of decorative paperweights, and no complete copies of Catan.
