Lawn Games for Weddings: Giant Jenga, Cornhole, Croquet

Lawn games turn a long cocktail hour or a gap between ceremony and dinner into something people enjoy. They give kids, cousins and guests who do not dance something to do, and they photograph well. They also take space, supervision and a plan for weather. This guide helps you choose, size and place them.

Game by game: what you need

Cornhole boards are 24 by 48 inches, and regulation play puts the boards 27 feet apart, front edge to front edge. Players stand beside the board and throw to the opposite one, so allow a few extra feet around each. These are standard published dimensions, but friendly wedding play does not need to be exact.

How many games do you need?

Guests do not play all at once. A good rule of thumb is one game per 25 to 30 guests, so 100 guests can share 3 to 4 games. Pick a mix:

• One quick game that needs no rules, like giant Jenga.
• One team game, like cornhole.
• One kid-friendly game, like ring toss.
• One showpiece, like croquet or bocce, if you have the lawn.

Designing the game zone

Think of the game area as its own mini lounge. Put games in one cluster, so guests can wander and watch.

Practical details

Surface. Games need flat, firm ground. Uneven lawns make croquet and Jenga frustrating. Check the ground when you tour the venue.

Seating and shade. Add chairs at the edges so grandparents and spectators can sit and watch. A few market umbrellas help in July afternoons. Our guide to outdoor event chairs covers durable choices.

Signage. A small sign with the rules turns "what do I do" into "let's play." Print a score card or a chalkboard.

Safety. Croquet mallets and lawn darts-style items can hurt when swung. Keep game zones away from the dance floor and walkways, and keep a kids' game area visibly separate. Choose soft versions for young children.

Timing. Games work best during cocktail hour, between ceremony and reception, or at the start of dinner. They fade once the dance floor opens.

Night plans. If the event runs after dark, light the zone with string lights or lanterns. Giant Jenga glows under uplights.

Chicago weather notes

Midwestern weather swings, so have a plan B. Wet grass cancels croquet and soaks cornhole bags, while hot July afternoons empty a game zone unless there is shade. Ask the venue whether games are allowed on the lawn, since some venues protect turf or restrict stakes. In public parks, ask the park district about its rules for events and equipment.

Mistakes to avoid

• Too many games, too little room. Three well-spaced games beat six crowded ones.
• Forgetting seating. Without chairs, the zone empties.
• Ignoring the ground. Hoops and stakes need soft earth, and a patio needs a different game.
• No one in charge. Ask a cousin or hire an attendant to reset games and collect pieces.
• Missing the pickup plan. Count pieces at teardown; Jenga blocks vanish.

For corporate versions, see games for corporate picnics.

Plan your seating for the lawn

Book a free 15-minute seating call to plan chairs, tables and shade around the game zone, or request a quote.