If you love being outside and are looking for some tried and true backyard hacks, then you’ve come to the right place! I have rounded up 50 Backyard Hacks that might just make your time outside more enjoyable this summer!  The hacks are broken down into the following five categories: grilling, gardening, outdoor games, outdoor entertaining, and outdoor hygiene. For more details on each tip, please click the blue links to be taken directly to the source where you’ll find the tutorial, product, or original post. Happy summer!
Grilling & Summer Eating Hacks
1. TABLETOP SMORES
How adorable is this? Find this terracotta pot idea here from Nest of Posies. Do you love s’mores? Click here if you need s’more recipes!
2. HOW TO CLEAN A STAINLESS STEEL GRILL
How to take your grill from GROSS to GORGEOUS with easily obtainable products. Find it here from Sand & Sisal.
Grilled corn on the cob is delicious in summer salads but removing the corn can be time consuming. This handy gadget is a brilliant way to easily and quickly remove corn kernels from the cob! Find it here. (affiliate link)
4. GRILL TABLE HACK
Love this table? You can find the conversation here from homeowners who hacked their grills by disassembling them and creating a more user-friendly grill table.
5. HOW TO MAKE YOUR GRILL NON-STICK
Cut down on your grill cleaning time with his fun hack from Skip to my Lou. Find it here.
Did you know you can make a berry pie on the grill? Find this yummy Grilled Peach and Blueberry Pie recipe here from Home Stories A to Z.
7. HOW TO BUILD A ROCKET STOVE
Attainable Sustainable has the full tutorial on how to build a rocket stove here. If you’re not familiar with these, do a quick google search. They’re gaining popularity with all things “off the grid.”
No summer cookout out is complete without watermelon! Slice it without the rind using this nifty watermelon slicer found on Amazon here. (affiliate link)
9. MUFFIN PAN HACK FOR GRILLED EGGS
I’m sure everyone who camps regularly knows this little secret, but it’s definitely new to me! Hack your muffin pan and use it to cook breakfast on the grill! Find the recipe here.
10. $2 DIY GRILL
Need a quick and inexpensive charcoal grill?  All you need is a dollar store lasagna pan, cooling rack, and some charcoal. Find out how easy it is to make one here.
Gardening & Landscaping Hacks
1. DIY BIRDBATH
This surprisingly simple DIY Bird Bath is perfect for hummingbirds and can be found here via Home Stories A to Z.
Create a quick and easy backyard fire pit using this tutorial from The Garden Glove.
I’ve tried this method with mixed results. It’s cheaper than landscape paper and provides a good temporary weed barrier and “greener” option!
4. PAINTED ROCK GARDEN MARKERS
Adorable way to mark your veggies! Find it here from West Valley Moms Blog.
It is widely circulated that these planters are spray painted with Rustoleum’s Glow in the Dark paint. As amazing as that would be, it simply isn’t true. These are solar powered planters! Find them here.
Kill your weeds with an all-natural solution! Find the full recipe here from Consider Me Inspired.
The kids would love this! Place these plastic tube molds over your veggies as they grow to create heart and star-shaped veggies. Find the molds here on Amazon. (affiliate link)
8. ICE CREAM CONE SEED STARTERS
Find these unique seed starter ideas from Country Living here.
Create a topsy-turvy birdbath and planter in one using a few simple supplies from the home improvement store. Find the full step-by-step tutorial here.
10. REPAIR GRASS BURNS FROM DOG URINE
Great tip on how to neutralize the dog urine spots on your lawn so that grass can be resown in the area. To prevent the spots from happening in the first place, water the area immediately after your dog urinates.
Kid Activities and Games
Full tutorial found on Build-Basic! Lots of amazing projects on this site.
Fun twist on this classic game! Find the full tutorial here featured on BHG.
This looks so fun! Find the instructions here.
4. KID CAR WASH
What a cute idea! Full tutorial here from Mom Endeavors.
5. GIANT BUBBLES FROM A BABY POOL
Adorable! Find this here.
6. MUSIC WALL
This this fun project and more music ideas here.
Kids and adults will both love this game! Find it here.
8. LAWN TWISTER
What a fun game to play outside! One Good Thing by Jillee always has great ideas!
9. CORN HOLE BOARD
Full tutorial of this DIY Cornhole Board from Home Stories A to Z found here.
10. DIYÂ SPRINKLER
Great way to keep your grass beautiful and have some fun at the same time! Find this project here.
Outdoor Entertaining
Recycle old tires and create additional outdoor seating for your guests with these DIY Rope Ottomans! Find the details here from Style Me Pretty.
There are LOTS of ideas for this project, but this one is by far the easiest version I’ve found. Find it here.
This is an inexpensive way to create outdoor mood lighting for your guests! Find this project here.
Create your own lawn drink holders with this step-by-step tutorial found here.
Create a beverage station, condiment station, or additional outdoor seating area with this easy build! Find the full tutorial here.
This is a great outdoor seating hack! Find the full tutorial here.
7. OLD WINDOW TO OUTDOOR SIGN HACK
This window turned sign just made me laugh! 🙂 Customize as necessary for your party using a white chalkboard marker.
Impress your kids and guests the next time you make a fire in your outdoor fire pit with these magic fire pouches!  Place a pouch on the coals of your fire to create rainbow-colored flames. This product has great reviews on Amazon!
9. DRINK STATION
AÂ drink station is a great way for guests to help themselves to drinks during your party! Get creative in repurposing what you have in your home or basement to create extra entertaining space outdoors. This old sewing table and fabric shoe storage make a great beverage station. Find this project here.
Need a quick tabletop speaker outdoors? Place your phone in an empty cup or bowl to create an instant speaker. Find this from HTC via Country Living.
Outdoor Hygiene Hacks
This idea would be great by the back door! Find it here from Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms.
2. WASP TRAP
This wasp trap is made from a recycled creamer bottle. Find the instructions here. If you need a better visual, try this idea.
This folding table hooks up to your garden hose to create an instant sink! This particular table is sold for cleaning game, but I see no reason why it wouldn’t work for camping, outdoor entertaining, or as a gardening table! Find it here.
Flies can really ruin your picnic! This is a great tip on how to keep flies away. Find it here.
This is brilliant! Thank you, Mom4real!
6. HAND WASHING STATION HACK
Keep hands clean at your next cookout with this collapsible water cooler hack!
I’m laughing about posting a printed and photographed facebook post, but this has been pinned THOUSANDS of times with rave reviews. And hey, if you frequently sit in your underwear outside at night then you might want to check this out! 😉
Go read which plants are great for repelling mosquitoes here on Home Stories A to Z.
9. OUTDOOR SHOWER HACK
Image credit: REI
Use a hoola hoop, rope, shower curtain, and a battery powered outdoor shower to create a private outdoor showering area.
10. BURN SAGE BUNDLES TO KEEP BUGS AWAY
Throw some dried sage on your fire or charcoal grill to keep unwelcomed pests away. Bugs do not like the smell of sage smoke. You can find the sage bundles here.
If you liked this post then check out:
17 DIY Outdoor Games for Families
Ann says
These hacks are absolutely amazing! I often hold a barbecue party a lot and I always find a way to make the grill become non-stick! Thanks for sharing it here!
Beth says
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
NORRIS COLEMAN says
GREAT IDEAS I plan to use quite a few of the ideas this summer with the children and adults
Jody says
Thank you for all the items in this fantastic list. Many ideas I will be making. Cup holders and cup covers for sure right away. S’mores from my dear little pot. Oh boy. Doesn’t get much better than this!
Beth says
I’m so glad you liked the list! Happy summer and thanks for visiting!
Wendy says
I loved reading through these even tho’ we live at a retirement center and would not use these, they are all great ideas!! Would have loved trying these back in the day ! Especially the lanterns, the mosquito sprays, the grill cleaner. I’m going to see about how I can do the grilled peach blueberry pie however 🙂 It looks scrumptious!
Beth says
Thanks Wendy! It was delicious. 🙂
Megan Duesterhaus says
Thanks so much for including my drink holder project in this awesome round up!
Beth says
I love it Megan! Such a great upcycle. 🙂