Top Board Games to Play in the Sun

As the saying (kind of) goes – sun’s out…games out.  

Now that Spring is here and Summer is approaching, it’s time to move your sessions outdoors.  

Well, at least a few meters from your kitchen door. 

Here are eight of our favorite games that you and your pals can enjoy in the fresh air.  

Starting with- 

Purpose-built for sessions in the sun, Chess’ limited piece count, asynchronous play, and durability makes it a perfect pick for rain, wind, or shine. And there’s a set for all kinds of players. Small portable kits can be perfect for trips on the train or holidays on the beach. Large garden sets can be a brilliant centrepiece for an evening of drinks and fun. Or you can just break out your favourite battered set and take out Dad again after learning a few tasty traps and tactics. Of course, it’s worth remembering that the game’s high skill ceiling can make it frustrating for amateurs or novices to play experts. Thankfully, trying a few variants can breathe new life into the game and make it fun for newbies and seasoned veterans alike.

Of course, if you need to resort to lawn games instead of playing on your gorgeous table – it’s vital that you go big. A favorite for many, Kubb (pronounced ‘coob’) is a mad mix of horseshoes, bowling, and chess as players battle it out to destroy the game’s king. Highly strategic, players hurl underarm throws to topple their opponent’s Kubbs and take a pot-shot at the game’s King. Play alternates back and forward, taking anywhere from 20 minutes for experienced (re: lucky) players all the way to an hour or more for high-level games. Perfect for players that love a little dexterity with their games…and something that leaves their other arm free to hold a beer. 

An abstract classic, Qwirkle’s robust design and simple gameplay makes it perfect for you next trip outdoors with friends. Play is simple, with players required to make lines of colour or shape on your rapidly changing board. Quick, clean, and simple, Qwirkle is engaging but not brain-burning – making a perfect choice for younger players or friends and family who may struggle with more complex options. You can also pick up a travel copy of the game and break it out on holiday…or during the next lull in conversation.  

At this point, we’d like to think that anyone reading these articles know that Skull is close to a universal constant. Great for any occasion, this is an exceptional pick for groups looking for fun in the sun – letting you enjoy all the fun of poker without having to worry about your hand blowing away. Each turn sees players throwing one of their hand of robust placemats down and eventually betting on how many a player can flip over without revealing a grinning skull instead of a beautifully rendered rose. And at this point, the game sings.

You got dice?? You got cups? Then you’ve got yourself one of the best games ever, friend. A bluffing game without compare, players roll their dice, hide them under their mug and place a bet on how many of a number are present at the table. You win, you get whatever the pot was for the round. Fail, and you lose a dice. Perudo is perfect for any gathering or barbecue. And with a wealth of different options, you can quickly house rule a setup that works for your gathering and lets you enjoy the sun with ease.

The definition of a cult classic, Quarto is a minimalistic beauty of an abstract game that looks gorgeous and plays even better. Played across a 4×4 board, Quarto offers a next-level tic tac toe experience as they try to manoeuvre their pieces into a row of four with a similar ‘trait’. These traits include pieces (made from wood, did we mention how gorgeous they are already) that light, dark, tall, short, square, round, and so on. The twist? You select the piece that your opponent is able to use and vice-versa. This lifts it into the realm of straightforward play to bluffs, counter-bluffs, and psyche-outs as you pray your opponent doesn’t take advantage of the trash you’re handing them. With a short playing time, gentle learning curve, and high portability – Quarto is a solid pick for groups of all ages and definitely deserves to be shown the sun as soon as possible.

Of course, there may be some groups that are more into wordplay than tossing sticks or counting points multipliers. Thankfully – Czech Games has something special for them. A co-operative guessing game, Letter Jam asks your group to band together to crack clues and unscramble word puzzles. Each of the game’s five turns sees your group discover their own letter…which remains unseen and unknown in front of them. With a quick teach and short runtime, LJ is great at bringing players together and delivering the high of a collaborative victory. Throw in the use of a smartphone app, this a low-friction game like no other and – with no player left behind – is perfect for groups of mixed ability. Or just those who enjoy a little bit of wordplay before a picnic.

If you’re willing to schlep a little bit of plastic with you, there are few games that look better outdoors than the amazing Santorini. Simple to play and easier to teach, Santorini is played on a 5×5 grid that asks players (ideally two) to build an object and move their piece one space – with the aim of moving one of your two characters onto the third level of a structure. And that’s it. With games lasting no more than ten minutes, players build a gorgeous model of the city…and then get mean. With such a simple ruleset, any mistake can be punished by serious gamers and even kids can have fun learning the basics in the fresh air. Though once little Tim ends up crushing you for the fifth time in a row, it may be worth packing up your game and heading back indoors again. 

What are your favorite board games to take out with you? Tell us in the comments!