Corporate Event Garden Games (UK Guide)

A summer afternoon on the lawn, a marquee at the edge, and a hundred colleagues who have never held a mallet before. The moment garden games appear, the mood shifts. People who barely spoke over coffee are suddenly captains of rival teams.

Good outdoor games do the social work for you. They give quieter guests a role, let competitive ones off the leash, and need no explanation beyond a quick demonstration. The sets that last across many events tend to share a few traits: solid FSC-certified timber that survives being dropped on gravel, and toys made to UKCA and CE safety standards so nobody frets about splinters or sharp edges.

Below is how we think about choosing, quantifying, and caring for games built for large mixed groups, drawn from our outdoor games and long experience making them.

What to Look for in Garden Games for Corporate Events

Start with durability. A corporate event might see a set handled by two hundred people in an afternoon, so the timber matters. Look for FSC-certified hardwood that resists knocks, and confirm the set carries UKCA or CE testing marks. These are not decorative details; they are the difference between a game that survives one summer and one that lasts a decade.

Next, consider the learning curve. The best games for corporate events are grasped in under a minute. If a guest needs a rulebook, they will drift back to the bar. Kubb, boules, and giant skittles all pass this test: watch one round, join the next.

Size counts too. Larger sets read well from across a lawn, draw a crowd, and photograph nicely for the company newsletter. Our outdoor games range spans compact to oversized for exactly this reason.

Think about mixed abilities. An event brings together every age and level of mobility, so a good spread avoids anything that demands athleticism or crouching for long periods. Games that can be played standing, seated, or at a gentle pace keep everyone included.

Finally, weigh portability and storage. A set that packs into a single carry bag is far easier for an events team to move between venues. Loose components that scatter across a field cause headaches. Browse our traditional games for pieces that store together neatly and travel without fuss.

The Best Types of Garden Games for Large Groups and Mixed Abilities

For large groups, the winning formats are those that scale. Kubb is a fine example. Two sides lob batons at wooden blocks, and you can run it as a two-player duel or split a big group into teams. Our Kubb Outdoor Game suits smaller lawns and tighter budgets, while the Kubb Game Set - Large Garden Game gives you heftier blocks that stand out on a busy field.

Croquet earns its place at any garden gathering. The Croquet Association, founded in 1897, remains the governing body for the sport in England, and the game has a genteel rhythm that suits mixed abilities. Play runs at a walking pace, so guests can chat between shots. Jaques manufactured and sold the first commercially produced croquet sets in the 1850s, and the format has changed little since.

Boules and lawn bowls reward accuracy over strength. Lawn bowls has been played in England since at least the 13th century, with Southampton Old Bowling Green, established in 1299, among the oldest in the world. A game that old has clearly earned its social appeal.

Giant skittles and quoits work brilliantly as drop-in games, where guests wander over, take a turn, and drift off. No teams to organise, no scores to track.

For a mix of these formats in one purchase, our Outdoor Family Game Collection bundles several classics together, which spares an events team the job of sourcing each set separately. It is a practical way to cover a whole afternoon of varied play.

Our Pick of Wooden Garden Games for Corporate Events and Summer Parties

Our shortlist begins with Kubb, because it does so much with so little. The Kubb Outdoor Game at £22.00 is the sensible entry point: enough for a small team event, easy to demonstrate, and quick to pack away. It is the set we recommend when budget matters but quality cannot slip.

Scale up to the Kubb Game Set - Large Garden Game at £42.50 for bigger crowds. The larger blocks carry across a wide lawn and take the rougher handling of a busy party in their stride. As an all-rounder for corporate use, it is hard to fault.

Where you want a single purchase to furnish an entire event, the Outdoor Family Game Collection at £165.50 gathers several games into one kit. It reads as a considered gift too, should you be equipping a team or thanking a host, and it spares you assembling a spread piece by piece.

Each of these is made from FSC timber and tested to UKCA and CE standards, so the practical worries are already handled. Beyond the shortlist, our outdoor games collection holds croquet, boules, skittles, and more classics that suit the same setting.

If your event runs into the cooler months or moves indoors, our board games and traditional games ranges keep the same spirit going once the lawn is out of use. A good games cupboard rarely sits idle for long.

How Many Garden Games Do You Need for a Corporate Event?

A rough rule works well: plan for one game station per twenty-five to thirty guests. Fewer than that and queues form; many more and sets sit unused while people wait their turn elsewhere.

For a fifty-person summer party, two or three games strike the right balance. Pair a quick drop-in game like skittles or quoits with a slower team game such as Kubb or croquet, so guests can choose their pace. The Outdoor Family Game Collection covers most of this spread in one go.

For a larger event of two hundred or more, aim for six to eight stations spread across the lawn. Spacing them out prevents crowding and keeps foot traffic flowing between the marquee, the bar, and the games. It also gives your photographs several focal points rather than one clustered scrum.

Consider the shape of the day. If guests arrive in waves, favour games that need no setup between rounds, so latecomers can simply join in. Our outdoor games are chosen with this kind of continuous, casual play in mind.

Duplicate your most popular format. If Kubb proves the crowd favourite, two sets running side by side halve the waiting. Buying a value Kubb Outdoor Game alongside a larger one is a common and sensible way to do this.

Finally, keep a small reserve. One or two spare sets stored nearby mean a dropped block or a damp lawn never brings play to a halt.

How to Store and Care for Wooden Garden Games After Your Event

Wooden games reward a little care. The chief enemy is damp, so the single most useful habit is drying every piece before it goes into storage. A set packed away wet after an evening on dewy grass will spot and warp over a winter in the shed.

Wipe each piece with a dry cloth to lift off grass and soil. For stubborn marks, a barely damp cloth followed by a thorough dry is enough. Avoid soaking timber or leaving it to sit in water, which raises the grain and loosens any glued joints.

Store sets somewhere cool and dry, off a concrete floor where cold and moisture rise. A shelf in a garage or a cupboard indoors is ideal. If your set came with a canvas bag, use it, but check the contents are fully dry first so nothing sits in trapped moisture.

Once a season, a light rub of the timber with a suitable wood oil keeps the surface from drying out and cracking in the sun. This is the same care that keeps our wooden toys handsome across generations, and the principle carries straight over to garden games.

Check components before each event rather than after. A quick count and a look for splits means you replace anything worn in good time, rather than discovering a gap on the day.

Treated this way, a quality set from our outdoor games range will serve event after event, summer after summer, and still look the part in the photographs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Games For Corporate Events

What are the best garden games for corporate events?

The best garden games for corporate events encourage friendly competition and easy participation. Croquet is a classic choice — Jaques of London manufactured the first commercially produced croquet sets in the 1850s, making it a genuinely historic option. Giant Jenga, lawn bowls, boules, and Kubb also work brilliantly, requiring no prior experience. These games promote conversation and team interaction without being physically demanding. Choose games that accommodate mixed skill levels and allow spectators to engage naturally, ensuring colleagues who prefer to watch remain part of the experience.

What garden games are suitable for large groups of adults?

For large groups of adults, the best garden games are those that run as tournaments or accommodate rotating players. Boules, croquet, and lawn bowls work well in knockout formats. Lawn bowls has been played in England since at least the 13th century, with Southampton Old Bowling Green established in 1299 among the oldest in the world — a its enduring appeal for gatherings. Giant Connect Four, Kubb, and Quoits allow multiple games running simultaneously, keeping everyone engaged and minimising waiting times throughout the event.

Are wooden garden games worth the money?

Wooden garden games are generally worth the investment for quality and longevity. Well-crafted wooden sets from reputable makers withstand repeated outdoor use, resist warping when properly maintained, and look far more impressive at events than plastic alternatives. For corporate or party settings, presentation matters — solid wood pieces convey quality and care. Jaques of London has produced wooden games and sporting equipment since the 19th century. A durable wooden set amortises its cost over many events, making it more economical long-term than cheaper alternatives that require frequent replacement.

What should I look for in garden games for a corporate event?

For a corporate event, prioritise games that are easy to explain in under two minutes, require no specialist skill, and accommodate players rotating in and out. Look for robust construction — wooden or high-quality resin components survive repeated use on varied surfaces. Consider portability: games that pack into neat carry cases are simpler to transport and store. Avoid games with complicated rules or sharp learning curves. Croquet, boules, giant Jenga, and Kubb all tick these boxes. Branding opportunities on equipment can also add a professional touch for client-facing occasions.

How do I choose garden games that work for mixed ages and abilities?

Choose games with simple objectives and adjustable difficulty. Boules and Quoits require minimal physical exertion and no prior experience, making them accessible to a wide range. Croquet, with roots in 1850s England when Jaques of London produced the first commercial sets, suits players of varying mobility levels as it is a walking-pace game. Avoid games with heavy lifting, fast reactions, or complex rules. Giant Noughts and Crosses and Connect Four are immediately understood by virtually everyone, ensuring nobody feels excluded regardless of age, fitness, or familiarity with garden games.

What size garden or outdoor space do I need for lawn games?

Space requirements vary considerably by game. A full croquet lawn traditionally measures around 28 by 35 yards, though abbreviated versions play comfortably on much smaller areas. Boules requires a strip of roughly 3 by 15 metres. Giant Jenga and Connect Four need only a few square metres per set. Kubb plays on a pitch approximately 5 by 8 metres. For a corporate event, a standard garden or park area of 20 by 20 metres can accommodate several simultaneous games comfortably. Always check the ground is reasonably level to ensure fair and safe play.

What is the best giant garden game for a summer party?

Giant Jenga is consistently the most popular giant garden game for summer parties, combining simple rules with genuine drama as the tower grows increasingly unstable. It draws a crowd naturally and works for any number of spectators alongside the two or more active players. Giant Connect Four is another strong choice, offering quick rounds and immediate appeal. For a more active option, Kubb provides team-based play that suits the relaxed pace of a summer gathering. Jaques of London offers quality versions of these classics, built for repeated outdoor use at events and parties.

How many garden games do I need for a corporate event of 50 people?

For 50 people, aim for enough simultaneous games to keep roughly half your guests actively playing at any one time. A practical combination might be three or four games running concurrently — for example, two boules or croquet sets, a giant Jenga, and a Kubb set. This allows 20–30 people to play while others socialise and rotate in. Running a simple tournament structure across two or three games also maintains momentum throughout the event. Having variety across game types ensures different preferences are catered for within the group.

Can you use garden party games indoors if the weather turns?

Many garden party games adapt well to indoor use, provided you have sufficient ceiling height and floor space. Giant Jenga plays perfectly on a hard floor with adequate head clearance. Connect Four, Quoits, and tabletop versions of boules transfer easily inside. Croquet and Kubb generally require outdoor space due to their footprint and surface requirements. If you are planning an event where weather is uncertain, select a mixed kit that includes games playable indoors and outdoors. A marquee or large hall provides a practical compromise, keeping the sociable atmosphere whilst sheltering from British summer conditions.

What age are giant garden games suitable for?

Giant garden games are generally suitable for children aged six and upwards, though most are designed with adults in mind. Giant Jenga and Connect Four are quickly understood by older children and remain genuinely engaging for adults at corporate and social events. Boules and Quoits suit ages eight and above with minimal supervision. Always check individual product guidelines, as component sizes and weights vary between manufacturers. For mixed-age family or corporate events, choose games where children and adults compete on broadly equal terms, maximising inclusive participation across the full age range present.