7 Fun Lake Games and Activities for Your Lake House

7 Fun Lake Games and Activities for Your Lake House

Good times are always on the horizon when you have lake games ready for the next get-together! Making lifelong memories with friends and family is part of what makes waterfront living so special. While the scenery alone is enough to create magical moments, sometimes you need some go-to lake activities to keep guests entertained.

Whether you’re hosting a family reunion, a neighborhood cookout, or a holiday celebration, we have everything you need to make sure that everyone has an amazing experience visiting your lakeside paradise.

As a team of realtors who are also lake homeowners, we have a whole lot of experience both hosting and attending lake house events. Here’s a look at some of our favorite lake games and pastimes.

1. Grilling Good Food With Good Company

An outdoor picnic table with burgers and other foods

Food brings people together, and grilling takes that age-old concept to the next level. There’s something about cooking food outdoors over an open flame that creates a sense of togetherness. It certainly doesn’t hurt that grilled food is so delicious, too!

Backyard barbecuing is an event in and of itself, but we do recommend having other entertainment options available so guests can stay occupied while the food’s cooking. While adults may be perfectly content to sit around the table chatting, the younger crowd may need to work off some energy and build up an appetite!

2. Cornhole Tournaments

A group of people playing cornhole by a lake

Cornhole is one of the most popular lake games. It’s a blast for all ages, letting everyone enjoy some friendly competition without getting too worn out. It’s super easy to set up and takes up very little space in storage.

Cornhole provides a similar experience to horseshoes—aiming and tossing—but it’s an ideal choice for family gatherings because beanbags are a whole lot safer than heavy metal horseshoes. With a big crowd, a tournament can fill an entire day, giving guests a way to either participate in the day’s lake activities or spectate if they feel like relaxing.

3. Gathering Around the Fire

A backyard fire pit

A fire offers light and warmth, but it’s not just practical. After a long day playing lake games and hiking trails, getting cozy and unwinding around a fire is pure bliss.

The flickering flames provide an enchanting backdrop as you catch up with loved ones, share stories, and maybe even sing a round of campfire songs. And, of course, roasting skewered hot dogs and making s’mores is a must!

Outdoor patio fire pits keep your fire controlled and contained. They’re so handy—you can put them anywhere in the yard, or enjoy the convenience of having a fire going on your deck or patio. 

4. Outdoor Movie Night

A patio with an outdoor TV

Watching a flick under the stars is another lovely way to relax after playing lake games all day. Pop some popcorn, cozy up on your contemporary outdoor furniture, and kick back and enjoy a film. No need to drag your living room TV outside—we sell weatherproof TVs that can stay outdoors 24/7!

5. Fun On the Water

A person paddle boarding next to boats

While plenty of fun can happen at home, be sure to plan some lake activities if the weather allows it. Stock up on floaties and life jackets so everyone can enjoy the water worry-free. Take the experience to the next level with lake water toys, like floating trampolines, rafts, docks, and mats. Don’t forget to order plenty of towels!

Besides swimming, you may wish to have boating equipment ready for nautical adventures. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding are all wonderful ways to explore the local scenery.

6. Karaoke

Karaoke is one of those fun lake games that all ages can enjoy. A Bluetooth wireless karaoke microphone lets you take the party anywhere—from the living room to the deck to the dock. Whether you’re serenading your sweetheart with a romantic ballad or belting out your favorite rock ‘n’ roll classics, karaoke instantly turns a gathering into a party!

7. Giant Game Sets

A giant chess set

Sure, you’ve played Connect 4 on a table, but it’s a whole different experience when you’re playing an oversized set in the backyard! Giant game sets are exactly what they sound like—classic games, but huge! Kids go wild over them, and they give the festivities a larger-than-life look that really pops in photos.

Shop Lake Games & Other Essentials

All of these lake activities and more are just a click away! Not only do we carry everything you need to host an unforgettable party, but we even have outdoor storage solutions so you can keep everything out of sight and ready for the next event. We only stock high-quality products we would use ourselves, so shop with confidence.

Check our lake house blog for more hosting tips and ideas. Order your lake house entertaining essentials today!

Chrissy Harsin

Chrissy Harsin is the co-founder of Lake House Must Haves—the ultimate one-stop shop for high-quality lake house necessities. As a realtor who owns a lake house with her husband and business partner, Chrissy brings unmatched expertise and experience to the table.

Her passion for helping people turn their lake houses into homes shines through in Lake House Must Have’s lovingly curated inventory, as well as the in-depth guidance she so enthusiastically shares with the lake homeowner community.

Lake House Must Haves has proven to be an incredibly valuable resource for new and established waterfront property owners. The future is bright!

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