The Backyard Edit

How to keep the summer going (once the holidays are over)

How to keep the summer going (once the holidays are over)

By Robyn Brown

The Christmas rush is over but summer's barely halfway through. Here's how to keep the backyard alive through January and make the most of what's left.
Christmas afternoon games — for when lunch is done and everyone's up for a game

Christmas afternoon games — for when lunch is done and everyone's up for a game

By Robyn Brown

The hours after Christmas lunch are golden. Here are the games that keep everyone having a good time — from the competitive types to the ones who just want to sit alongside it
The best outdoor gifts for kids this Christmas

The best outdoor gifts for kids this Christmas

By Robyn Brown

The best outdoor gifts for kids aren't just for Christmas Day — they're the ones still getting pulled out years later, when the child who received them has grown into a teenager
The best games for Christmas Day — for the whole family

The best games for Christmas Day — for the whole family

By Robyn Brown

The best Christmas Days have everyone outside, doing something together. Here are four group games that make that happen — for every age and every energy level
The Backyard Games NZ Christmas gift guide: games the whole family will actually play

The Backyard Games NZ Christmas gift guide: games the whole family will actually play

By Robyn Brown

Every Christmas, someone gets a gift that gets used once and then stored. These are the ones that don't do that.
Why the best family summers happen in the backyard

Why the best family summers happen in the backyard

By Robyn Brown

The summer memories that stick aren't from the expensive days out. They're from the afternoons in the backyard where nobody planned to stay as long as they did.
Two girls playing Beach Tennis by the ocean

The best games to bring to the bach or beach this summer

By Robyn Brown

Not every game travels well. These are compact enough to pack, good enough that everyone plays, and built for real outdoor conditions — including the Travel Adventure Bundle if you want the full kit sorted...
Backyard Games Deluxe Cornhole board outside

How to run a Cornhole tournament in your backyard (step by step)

By Robyn Brown

A Cornhole tournament changes the energy of a gathering. Here's the complete step-by-step guide — formats, rules, scoring, and the setup that makes it work.
How to make the most of a long summer evening

How to make the most of a long summer evening

By Robyn Brown

Summer evenings in NZ and Australia are long, warm, and worth making the most of. Here's how to keep the backyard going well after the sun goes down.