The Backyard Edit

friends playing reversal at a coffee table

5 games to play inside when the weather turns

By Robyn Brown

When the backyard's off the table, these five games keep everyone entertained — no big setup, no long rule explanations, just something to actually do.
Woman and child playing Giant Connect Four on deck in winter

How to keep kids entertained inside this winter (without defaulting to screens)

By Robyn Brown

Screens aren't the enemy. But there's a version of a rainy afternoon where kids are actually laughing and playing together — and it starts with the right game.
Games night at home: how to actually make it happen

Games night at home: how to actually make it happen

By Robyn Brown

The difference between a brilliant games night and one that fizzles by 8pm almost always comes down to game choice. Here's how to get it right.
family playing giant connect four

The best school holiday activities for kids in NZ (that don't cost a fortune)

By Robyn Brown

By day three of the school holidays, most parents are googling "things to do with kids NZ winter." Here's what actually works and doesn't require booking in advance
Block from Backyard Chats Tumbling Tower

Best indoor games for a NZ winter (that actually get played)

By Robyn Brown

Most "indoor games" end up at the back of a cupboard. These ones actually get reached for — compact enough for the coffee table, good enough that people keep coming back.
child picking up backyard games nz kubb pieces

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...