Hot take: autumn is just as good a season for outdoor entertaining as summer. In some ways, it's even better.
We know, we know. Summer gets all the glory. And look, it deserves it. Long days, warm evenings, games in the backyard until the sun finally gives up. Summer is great and we will never say otherwise.
But autumn? Autumn is genuinely underrated. The air is crisp and fresh in the best possible way. The evenings are still long enough to keep the gathering going well after dinner. The light turns golden in a way that makes everything feel a bit more special. And honestly, there's something about rugging up slightly, fresh air in your face, cold drink in hand, that makes a backyard game feel even better than it does in the heat of January.
You might need to chuck a jumper on at some point. That's about as dramatic as it gets.
If you want to make the most of the season before the cooler months properly arrive, March and April are your window. Here's how to throw a gathering that does autumn justice.
Start With the Right Game
Every great outdoor gathering needs a focal point. Something that pulls people together naturally, breaks the ice for guests who don't know each other well, and keeps the energy going once the initial round of catching up has run its course.
A great outdoor game does that better than almost anything else. It gives people something to do with their hands, a reason to talk, and a shared moment to laugh about afterward. Honestly, it's the ultimate social cheat code.
Cornhole is the natural starting point. The Deluxe Wood Cornhole Set from Backyard Games NZ is built from premium hardwood, looks beautiful in any backyard, and takes about thirty seconds to explain to someone who's never played before. Competitive enough to be genuinely fun, relaxed enough that nobody feels left out or shown up. Set it up before guests arrive and watch it become the gravitational centre of the whole afternoon.
For larger groups or anyone after something with a bit more strategy involved, Giant Kubb is a brilliant choice. Two teams, wooden blocks, throwing batons, and a set of rules simple enough to explain in two minutes but deep enough that skill genuinely matters over time. It works beautifully on grass and scales well for anywhere from six to twenty people. Fair warning: it tends to produce extremely vocal sideline commentary. That's a feature, not a bug.
Bocce Ball is another ideal autumn game. Slower paced, more conversational, and the kind of game you can enjoy with a glass of something in hand without feeling like you need to be in full on 'game mode'. It's the game that works while people are still arriving, and it suits the relaxed, golden-hour energy of an autumn afternoon perfectly.
Think About the Setup
A great gathering isn't just about the game. It's about the environment you build around it.
Give games a clear space that's separate from where the food and drinks are set up. This sounds obvious but it makes a huge difference to how the afternoon flows. When people can move between playing, watching, and chatting without feeling like they have to fully commit to one thing, the gathering finds its own rhythm naturally. Nobody feels pressured to play. Everyone ends up playing anyway.
Set up seating around the playing area rather than away from it. The best gatherings have an audience as well as players, and spectators need somewhere comfortable to be. Garden chairs, outdoor cushions, a picnic rug on the sideline. Whatever you've got.
For evening gatherings, lighting matters more than most people expect. String lights, a fire pit, or even a few well-placed lanterns can extend the usable hours significantly and create a vibe that's genuinely hard to replicate indoors. It's the difference between "we should probably head off soon" and "actually, one more round."
Choose Games The Work for Your Whole Group
One of the most common gathering mistakes is picking entertainment that only works for part of the group. Too physically demanding for some guests, too complicated for kids, too competitive for the people who just want to relax. Games that only work for half the room end up dividing rather than connecting.
The best outdoor games are the ones where anyone can join in and feel like they're genuinely in with a chance. Cornhole, Bocce, and Giant Kubb all land here. They reward skill without demanding it, which means a competitive adult and a ten-year-old can genuinely be on the same team and both have a great time.
The Backyard Chats Tumbling Tower Good Chats edition is another brilliant choice for mixed groups. It's Giant Jenga with conversation prompts on every block, which means even the quieter guests get pulled into the discussion. Works particularly well in the later part of the evening when the energy has settled and people are ready for something a bit more relaxed and connective.
The Games Worth Having Ready
If you're building out your outdoor game collection ahead of the autumn entertaining season, here's a no-fuss guide to what's worth having.
For a setup that covers most group sizes and occasions in one go, the Ultimate Fun Bundle is the most efficient option. A collection of games that works across different energy levels and group dynamics, so you're sorted whether twenty people show up or six.
For one standout game that works for almost every gathering, the Deluxe Wood Cornhole Set is the most reliable choice. It's the game that gets the most use, generates the most conversation, and holds up beautifully year after year.
For something a bit different that'll genuinely surprise guests, Giant Kubb is the one. A lot of people haven't played it, which means there's real novelty alongside real enjoyment. Always a good combination.
Make the Most of the Season
Autumn doesn't last. The comfortable evenings, the golden light, the sweet spot of perfect outdoor weather before the cooler months arrive. Make the most of it while it's here.
Get the game set up. Invite the people. Let the afternoon take care of itself.
Browse the full range at Backyard Games NZ and find the right game for your next gathering.
