The Backyard Edit

The Story Behind Backyard Games NZ: Why We Started and What Keeps Us Going

By Robyn Brown

Backyard Games NZ started the way most good things do: in a backyard, with people we love, and a game that kept everyone together longer than anyone planned. Here's the story behind the brand, and...
Friends playing gutter board and giant dominoes on a covered deck in New Zealand during autumn

How to Keep the Gathering Going When the Weather Turns

By Robyn Brown

A bit of cool weather is no reason to pack the games away. Here's how to keep the fun going well into the cooler months, with the right games for every setting from the covered...
Custom branded Giant Connect Four at a corporate event activation in New Zealand

Why Smart Event Planners Are Choosing Games Over Gimmicks

By Robyn Brown

The brands and events people actually remember are the ones where something happened. Where people participated, not just attended. Most activations are answering the wrong question entirely. Here's the right one.
Family playing outdoor games together in a New Zealand backyard on Mother's Day

The Mother's Day Gift She'll Actually Want to Use

By Robyn Brown

Flowers are lovely. Breakfast in bed is lovely. But if you really want to give Mum something she'll be talking about for years, we've got a better idea. Here's the Mother's Day gift guide she...
Kids playing outdoor games in a New Zealand backyard during school holidays

School Holidays Without Screens: A Two-Week Survival Guide for Parents

By Robyn Brown

Two weeks of school holidays sounds like a lot of fun. And it is! It's also a lot of days to fill. Here's a practical plan for keeping the kids active, entertained, and genuinely having...
Family playing outdoor games in a New Zealand backyard over Easter long weekend

Four Days, Four Games: How to Make the Most of Easter Weekend

By Robyn Brown

Four days off, the family all together, and absolutely zero obligation to be anywhere. Easter weekend is genuinely one of the best long weekends of the year especially if you make the most of it....
Cornhole tournament at a New Zealand backyard or corporate event

How to Run a Cornhole Competition: The Complete Guide for Backyards and Events

By Robyn Brown

Cornhole is brilliant on its own. But run it as a proper competition and it becomes the event within the event. Here's everything you need to set up a tournament that keeps everyone involved, whether...
Custom branded cornhole game station set up at a corporate event in New Zealand

How to Set Up Outdoor Games at Events That Draw People In

By Robyn Brown

Games at events work hard. A few simple setup decisions can unlock their full potential and turn a great game into the highlight of the whole day. Here's how to get the most out of...
Group of friends playing Giant Jenga in a New Zealand backyard during autumn

How to Throw the Best Autumn Gathering

By Robyn Brown

Hot take: autumn is just as good for outdoor entertaining as summer. In some ways, even better. Fresh air, golden light, crisp evenings, and yes, you might just need a jumper. Here's how to make...