TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
With the weather warming up, summer weekends at home have started to feel more appealing, especially when the alternatives involve expensive travel and crowded destinations. A backyard can easily become the center of a weekend staycation when it’s set up with some fun additions. Instead of spending money going out, you can turn an ordinary outdoor space into a fun and relaxing place to gather for cookouts, afternoon drinks, and laid-back evenings with friends without any major renovations. Plus, you get to keep everything afterward and use it over again. A few well-chosen backyard items can completely change the game, especially for this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.
Mixing different types of entertainment can offer something for any occasion, whether it’s a hot sunny day that’s best spent in an above-ground pool, or the family is over to play lawn games and have some barbecue in the evenings. Additionally, adding in some essentials like sun shades and comfortable seating can help take it to the next level. By combining active games with relaxing essentials, these additions provide a balanced backyard that makes staycations more appealing.
Backyard basics
The most successful backyard gatherings usually come down to comfort. Having comfortable and convenient seating makes it easier for you and your guests to stay outside for hours. While picnic tables and patio sets are always useful, you may need a few easier options if you have more guests than seats. Choosing portable seating can be a convenient and easy way to offer seating that guests can grab and move around the yard on their own, without relying on you to set everything up. It’s also great because it can easily be set up next to the campfire or around the pool, or you can also opt for a portable firepit, which can be set up anywhere around the yard if the evening starts getting chilly, allowing the party to continue into the evening hours.
If you’re planning on a large cookout, beverage stations or coolers are a must. Not only does this offer easy access for your guests, but it also prevents dirt and water from being tracked in and out of the kitchen from outside.
If you really want to spend some quality time in your yard, but find that the mosquitoes and other bugs make it almost impossible, there are great options that protect you from itchy bites while still allowing you to hang out and enjoy the outdoors. Selecting larger overhead items, like pop-up tents or bug nets, can offer a reprieve from bug bites while also doubling as a sun shade, and generally can be set up by one or two people, offering an easy alternative for any occasion.
Chefjoy 2-Person Portable Chair with Umbrella
Gvdv Smokeless Collapsible Firepit
Vingly Rolling Ice Chest
Zaze Extra Large Picnic Blanket
Alvantor Large Screen House
Backyard games
Classic backyard games continue to be one of the best forms of entertainment that doesn’t make the day feel overly planned. Cornhole is a well-known and well-loved game that requires almost no setup and can be used almost anywhere. Unlike complicated party games, casual games allow guests to participate at their leisure while still carrying on conversations, eating, or moving around the yard freely. Games that have virtually no player limit are also a good idea. Giant Jenga and other similar games offer fun for any number of people, and allow guests to meander in and out of the game as they desire.
Games that are easy to set up offer quick, low-maintenance entertainment that doesn’t take up a lot of space, and can be played casually or add a touch of competition to the evening. Creating small tournaments can be exciting for guests while also allowing them to be put down at any time to go eat or enjoy another activity. Portable yard games are also beneficial as they can be set up anywhere, whether everyone is gathering next to the pool or near the outdoor seating.
Nattork Portable Cornhole Set
Aivalas Giant Block Tower Set
Eastpoint Easy Setup Badminton Set
Spikeball 3-Ball Original Round Net Set
Pools
Above-ground pools are one of the easiest ways to make a backyard feel more like a summer destination. They work well during long holiday weekends when temperatures climb, and people want a place to cool off without a crowded public area. For adults, above-ground pools can create a relaxed environment that works well for sunbathing, cooling off between rounds of grilling, or lounging after work with some music. Even smaller blow-up pools can change the feeling of the backyard by offering a place to sit and cool off or to stick your feet for a refreshing feeling without having to get into a bathing suit or dry off afterward. These also offer a shallow area for kids to splash around in the afternoon without having to pack up a bag and pay for the public pool.
Unlike permanent pools, above-ground pools are much more approachable and affordable for people who want the summer pool experience without the year-round maintenance or cost of entry at the local pool. Larger inflatable lounge pools and compact above-ground options create a social gathering space without taking up the entire yard, and can be paired with floating drink holders and fun inflatable games, offering up a good time for the whole family.
Sloosh Inflatable Tanning Pool
Intex Inflatable Pool
Intex Above-Ground Swimming Pool
Aixpool Inflatable Pool with Seats
Water features
Water games and options that allow you to cool off while still having fun can help keep the energy at a function, especially during the hottest part of the day. Sprinkler pads offer a reprieve from the heat that can be used as long or as sparingly as someone likes. You can run through the pad for a boost of cool water, or put on a bathing suit and play in it for a while. Smaller splash pads are a convenient and useful option for adults, kids, and pets to help keep the summer heat at bay, especially if you’re outdoors for long periods of time.
If you already have a pool or plan on getting one of the above-ground pools listed above, inflatable pool games can be a big hit, offering something fun that provides an activity for kids and adults alike. The blow-up games are also fun for a mix-and-match style setup. Beach balls and blow-up volleyballs can also be used for inflatable basketball hoops, or they can just be thrown around on their own.
Water games are flexible and work for different gatherings. A casual afternoon cookout can start to be more interactive once splash games or sprinklers are added in, and adults tend to lean into the competition during team-based water events like pool volleyball. Water features and games also offer the opportunity to be outside during those blistering hot days, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what the summer temperatures get up to.
Bilibara Splash Pad
TicTac Shot Inflatable Pool Set
Joyin Pool Toys Volleyball Net Set
Toy Life Inflatable Cornhole Game
What’s best for your needs?
Depending on what space you have to work with and what type of outdoor gatherings you’ll be hosting, certain backyard additions may be more practical than others. For families with younger kids or households that frequently host playdates, opting for simple and easy-to-use options can help create a comfortable and low-maintenance setup for spending time outside. A backyard firepit with some folding chairs is another versatile option for the whole family, offering a central place for the family to gather in the evenings for drinks, conversation, and roasting marshmallows.
For those who enjoy hosting larger barbecues, convenience-focused essentials can make entertaining easier. Coolers and drink tables allow guests to grab drinks and refreshments without repeatedly going inside, helping keep the gathering centered outdoors. Backyard games also work well for mixed-age groups, providing casual entertainment that can easily turn competitive depending on the crowd and the occasion.
Ultimately, adding a few well-chosen games and outdoor essentials can make almost any backyard feel more functional and inviting. Inflatable pools provide an easy way to cool off during both quieter weekdays and busy weekends, while portable seating and picnic-friendly accessories are useful across a wider range of occasions. Investing in versatile outdoor items not only makes long summer days more comfortable but also encourages people to spend more time outdoors, enjoying their space and their loved ones.
TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use.
