Screen-Free Summer: Puzzles & Games To Play With Friends
Customer CareKey Takeaways:
- Playing screen-free games with friends and family can make your summer feel more special.
- Games and puzzles, dominoes, card games, and board games provide avenues for connection with loved ones and make it easier to bond.
- From barbecues and pool parties to camping trips and evening hangouts, find all types of games to play with friends at Cribsi to break the ice, challenge your mind, and unwind from stressful workdays.
Ever been to a party where something felt amiss? Or maybe you’re looking for unique ways to spend quality time with friends. Games and puzzles have always been a fun pastime, but in the midst of hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, they’re becoming a novel way to bring you closer to the people you love.
These screen-free summer games for adults are all that you need to turn everyday hangouts into moments you’ll cherish and look back on. Whether you want to unwind (without a screen) after a long day at your computer or want some fun games to pep up your next party, Cribsi offers plenty of options for indoor and outdoor summer games to play with your friends.
Top Screen-Free Games To Play With Friends
1. Conversation Starter Games
As valuable as it is, not everyone has the natural prowess and charisma to talk to a new acquaintance and put them at ease. In most cases, introversion and shyness win over the urge to socialize. But that’s where conversation starters, like 2 Truths and a Lie or the Pando Trivia Game, can come in handy.
From close-knit groups to strangers, get-to-know-you games are a fun way to break the ice and get everyone talking. Whether you’re hosting a summer cookout, attending a pool party, or having a casual weekend hangout, it’s always handy to have an icebreaker game up your sleeve to play with friends.
2. Games For Outdoor Gatherings
Carrying games to picnics, barbecues, or camping trips keeps everyone entertained in a screen-free setting. So if you’re looking for ways to bring everyone together, consider games like 21 Questions, Dominoes, and Tic-Tac-Toe. Portable games like these are easy to bring to faraway locations, much like this chess-and-checkers set by LUND.
3. Puzzles

In addition to screen-free games you can play with friends, you’ll also find 2-D and 3-D puzzles at Cribsi that are perfect for entertaining children and enthralling adults. The cognitive and mental benefits of solving puzzles cannot be overstated. Not only do 3-D puzzles help with mental well-being, but they also boost spatial intelligence.
When adults work with children on diversions like the Wooden Mammoth Puzzle, it builds patience in both adults and children. Solving a 1000-piece puzzle together (such as this Fred New York Puzzle) is a wonderful bonding experience that’s equal parts rewarding and challenging.
These summer games are ideal for adults and children. They’re designed to bring friends and family members closer because when the mind is free to wander and the hands search for puzzle pieces, conversation flows effortlessly and deeper connections are made.
4. Card Games

While city-themed card decks can be the perfect gift for that nomadic friend, they also make summer hangouts more social and fun. As long as you can find a flat surface and 2-3 friends to play with, you can enjoy various games such as Poker, Rummy, Crazy Eights, Go Fish, and plenty of other timeless favorites.
From road trips to at-home family game nights, card games are the easiest, most portable, and most versatile option to entertain groups of all sizes. At Cribsi, you’ll find Martin Schwartz Playing Cards in various city-themed designs, from Paris and Amsterdam to Barcelona and Copenhagen.
Why Games Make Summer Better
Think back to your fondest summer memories, and one thing’s for sure: there were probably no screens in sight. At Cribsi, we believe that nothing comes close to intentional time spent with loved ones. Summer is the best time to capitalize on that joy, and what better way to do so than through games?
If you’re looking for games to play with friends this summer, look no further than Cribsi’s curated collection. Our screen-free summer games are perfect for adults who want to deepen their friendships and unwind from their digital lifestyle.
There’s no better way to make memories you can look back on without the glaring blue light of screens and phones disrupting the atmosphere. Explore games that will unleash your inner child and bring joy bubbling up to the surface.
FAQs
Which games are good to play with friends and family at a barbecue?
4 In A Row is a fun strategy game that you can enjoy at a barbecue with friends and family. It’s portable and easy to set up, with straightforward rules that make it a great choice for older players and toddlers alike. So don’t forget to throw this in the kit along with your grilling accessories for your next cookout.
What’s a portable, screen-free game to play when it’s dark?
If you’re out camping or spending your evening in the backyard, the Shadow Game is a screen-free, hands-on (literally!) activity that’s sure to bring laughter and entertainment to your group. Whether you’re the one making fun shapes or guessing them, this game is equally entertaining and challenging. For better visibility, don’t forget to explore functional yet stylish outdoor lighting options for summer game nights with friends.
Are outdoor games better than video games?
While video games can be stimulating and engaging, outdoor summer games for adults encourage socialization and fitness. Although both kinds of games have their perks, we recommend spending your summer out, basking in the warm weather and enjoying the company of loved ones.