Tailgating is an art form that can be easily mastered under the right guidance. Knowing certain tricks and hacks of tailgating can make your experience much more enjoyable. Here is the ultimate guide for the best tailgating games for 2020.
Having the proper yard games at your tailgate could make or break your entire tailgating experience. If you’re the host of a tailgate you are expected to provide the entertainment for everyone you invited along. If you’re a college student, oftentimes just drinking beer and partying is enough entertainment to make the day fly by.
When deciding on the game that fits your style the most you have to consider the traditional tailgating games as well as the games that have recently emerged as a popular option for any tailgating scene. You have to also consider how much room you are expecting to have at your tailgate. Some tailgating scenes are shoulder to shoulder and others have a lot more space allotted for their die-hard spectators. Space might be the biggest factor in deciding which game to get. Here are the top yard games to bring to a tailgate:
Hammerschlagen
Otherwise known as “Stump”, hammerschlagen is one of the most underutilized tailgating games. The basic idea of this game is to hit your opponent’s nail in before they can hit your nail in. Last nail standing wins. Before swinging on the nail you have to flip the hammer so it does one full rotation and then hit the nail down in the same motion. The nail is only considered down if you can no longer slide your fingernail underneath the nail.
For some of you who have never swung a hammer before, this game might take a little practice to be good at but it’s all part of the game. You typically want a stump that is the height of your waist, which can be heavy. I recommend buying a sturdy stand and bringing a smaller stump if you don’t want to deal with transporting a heavy log. A regular hammer would do the trick but a hammer with a large head would make the game easier and will land more hits.
Beer Darts
Beer darts might have become one of the most popular outdoor drinking games of the 2010s and still going strong through 2020. The game is simple enough. Players form a circle while sitting in lawn chairs and place a beer can between their legs. All you need to do is throw a steel-tipped dart through an opposing player’s beer can. Where ever the dart hits the can, that player must drink until the beer is level with the hole. If the dart punctures the top of the can then that player must finish or shotgun the beer.
Yes, I realize this game can look a little intimidating to someone who has never played it but it’s a really fun game. Make sure to keep an eye on the players who have had more to drink than the others because they are the most prone to throw a rogue dart (which you do NOT want to hit you).
KanJam
KanJam has emerged as one of the best yard games since it was released. The game is derived from the classic game garbage can frisbee which involves two trash bins and trying to hit your partner’s frisbee into the top of the can. KanJam took this idea to the next level by adding a hole in the front of the can that is worth more points making the game go much faster for skilled throwers. It has to be noted that this is one of those yard games that does require more space so if you’re expecting to be in close quarters, maybe KanJam isn’t the right choice for that particular scene. (https://amzn.to/3bRFyf2)
Kubb
Kubb is one of the most fun yard games you’ll ever play. Many people have never heard of Kubb because it originates in Europe. Many people call Kubb “The Viking Game” because of its popularity in Scandinavia. The goal is to knock down all of the opponent’s pons and then knock down the king. It does require more space than the typical tailgate game but if you have the room to do it, I would recommend giving it a try.
Beersbee
Beersbee is another classic yard game to add the arsenal. The objective is simple; all you need to do is knock the opponent’s bottle from the pole. You must catch the bottle before and the Frisbee before they hit the ground. If the Frisbee misses the bottle you must catch the Frisbee or the other team gets a point. We always play the rule that you have to have a drink in one hand to make catching a little tougher.
Throwing Frisbees may not be the best idea if you are planning on being in an area with a lot of people but if you feel like you will have the room then this is an excellent game to bring to any function. This is another game that you could make yourself if you wanted to get crafty.
Cornhole/Bags
Cornhole might be the most popular lawn game to ever exist. Everyone knows the concept and you can find them at any tailgate you go to. I would imagine that you all know the rules. You can find super portable cornhole sets which could save you a lot of space when you’re packing for a tailgate.
The one qualm I have with cornhole is the fact that you have to bend over to pick up the bags before each turn. Yes, that sounds incredibly lazy but it does make a difference to some people. I have brought cornhole to a few tailgates but I have found that you hardly ever have enough space to properly set it up and when you do, people are always trying to walk through your playing area. As a whole, I would recommend cornhole for your lawn only not to bring to a tailgate.
Ladder Ball
Ladder Ball is another fan favorite when it comes to the world of yard games. One of the reasons why this is such a popular game is because of its uniqueness. Throwing golf balls tied together with rope at a stack of PVC pipes is just an intriguing concept. Good for tailgating and any outdoor scenario. This is a game you could definitely make yourself but if you’re not super crafty I recommend buying it online. A set of ladder ball typically runs around $30.
Beer Darts
Beer pong might be the most obvious choice for a tailgate. Having a portable table with cups and ping pong balls can be entertaining for most of the day. Most of you probably know the basics of beer pong but another popular game that uses the same materials is flippy cup. Flippy cup is one of the staples at my tailgates. Beer pong usually only incorporates four people at a time but flippy cup can pretty much include anyone who can fit around the table.
