Let's be honest, most corporate gatherings can feel a bit… predictable. You know the drill: polite chatter, a few canapés, and a room full of people trying to network without looking like they're networking. What if you could flip that script? Large garden games are more than just a bit of fun; they are strategic tools for transforming a standard event into something genuinely memorable and interactive.
Your Secret Weapon for Genuine Engagement
Think of oversized games as the ultimate icebreakers. The moment a giant Jenga tower starts to wobble or a huge chess match kicks off, something magical happens. The usual corporate hierarchies just melt away.
Suddenly, the CEO and a junior team member are on equal footing, laughing together over a shared challenge. This simple act creates a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere where real, spontaneous conversations can spark to life—the kind that just don't happen over a vol-au-vent.
It’s all about shifting guests from being passive observers to active participants. In today's experience-driven world, people don't want to just watch anymore; they want to do. Introducing large format games gives them a compelling reason to put down their phones and actually engage with the space and, more importantly, with each other.
Boosting Morale and Social Sharing
These games aren't just filler. They create visually striking, incredibly shareable moments. The pure spectacle of a giant Connect 4 or a human-sized table football game is a natural magnet for photos and social media posts. This organic, user-generated content is gold, extending your event's reach far beyond the venue and amplifying your brand’s visibility without you lifting a finger.
For event planners, the tangible benefits are huge:
- Increased Dwell Time: When guests are having fun, they stick around. Engaging activities encourage them to stay longer and remain invested in the whole experience.
- Improved Team Dynamics: A bit of light-hearted competition or collaboration is brilliant for fostering teamwork and camaraderie in a low-pressure, natural way.
- Memorable Brand Association: People remember how you made them feel. A fun, positive experience becomes directly linked with your brand, leaving a brilliant lasting impression.
Here in the UK, we love our outdoor leisure. In fact, the average British gardener spends £109 per year on garden toys and games. This shows a real appetite for interactive outdoor fun, a demand that savvy event suppliers can tap into for large-scale venues. You can dive deeper into the outdoor games market potential on CBI.eu.
By weaving garden games large into your event strategy, you’re doing more than just providing entertainment. You’re engineering connection.
Choosing The Right Games For Your Event Goals
Choosing the right large garden games for your corporate event isn’t just about picking what looks fun. It’s a strategic decision. Think of it like casting for a play – each game has a unique personality and a specific role to fill in your event’s story. You wouldn't put a stand-up comedian in a serious drama, and you shouldn't throw a high-octane competitive game into a relaxed networking mixer.
The very first step is to nail down your event's main goal. Are you trying to break the ice between departments and get people collaborating? Or is the plan to spark some friendly competition at a sales rally and crown a winner? Maybe you just need a chilled, welcoming vibe where new clients can mingle without any pressure.
Answering that one question is everything. It shifts your choice from a random pick to a targeted investment, designed to get you a specific result. It’s about matching the right tool to the right job. When you get it right, the game feels like a natural part of your event's purpose.
Aligning Games With Atmosphere
To make this selection process easier, we can group large garden games into three main categories based on the kind of atmosphere they create. This simple framework helps you zero in on activities that will really connect with your guests and back up your event objectives.
These categories aren't set in stone, but they give you a solid starting point for planning your entertainment.
- High-Energy Competition: These games are your go-to when you want to create a buzz and get a bit of friendly rivalry going. They're perfect for sales kick-offs, company sports days, or brand activations where leaderboards and prizes really get people involved.
- Strategic Team-Building: When the aim is to get your teams talking, solving problems, and working together, these are the games you need. They work brilliantly for internal development days, departmental away-days, or as a welcome activity for new starters.
- Relaxed Socialising: For networking events, client appreciation parties, or that post-conference wind-down, the goal is easy conversation. These games act as low-key social hubs, giving people a shared focus to chat over without needing intense concentration.
Getting this right ensures your entertainment is actually helping create the mood you want, not fighting against it.
Matching Large Garden Games To Event Objectives
Let's make this even clearer with a few real-world examples. This table shows you exactly how to match different games to your audience and the outcome you're aiming for.
| Game Category | Example Games | Best For Audience | Primary Event Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Energy Competition | Giant Scalextric, Batak Pro, Boxing Simulator | Sales teams, competitive individuals, younger demographics | To create excitement, drive engagement with leaderboards, reward high performers |
| Strategic Team-Building | Giant Chess, Oversized Jenga, Human Table Football | Internal teams, new hires, cross-departmental groups | To foster collaboration, improve communication, encourage problem-solving |
| Relaxed Socialising | Giant Connect 4, Garden Darts, Cornhole | Clients, conference attendees, mixed corporate groups | To facilitate networking, act as an icebreaker, create a laid-back atmosphere |
This approach turns your choice of large garden games into a powerful tool for shaping the entire guest experience. It makes sure the fun has a purpose and directly supports what your event is all about. If you're planning a more casual get-together, you can find more ideas in our guide to outdoor party games for adults.
Mastering The Logistics Of Site And Safety Planning
The real magic of a flawlessly executed event happens long before the first guest arrives. Behind every great experience is a mountain of logistical planning, and when you’re dealing with garden games large enough to be a main attraction, this backstage work becomes absolutely critical.
Think of yourself as the event’s air traffic controller. Your job is to manage all the moving parts to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. This means going beyond just picking cool games and getting into the nitty-gritty of where and how they’ll actually work on the day.
That beautiful, manicured lawn might look perfect, but is it? A slight, unnoticed incline can turn a game of giant Jenga into a lopsided, frustrating mess. Proper site and safety planning isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s the very foundation of a successful and safe guest experience. Get it wrong, and you could be dealing with anything from a delivery lorry that can't get on-site to a genuine safety hazard.
Conducting A Thorough Site Assessment
Before you sign on the dotted line for any game hire, a detailed site assessment is non-negotiable. This is your reconnaissance mission. You need to walk the ground with a critical eye to make sure the venue can physically and safely handle your plans.
Your first port of call is the ground itself.
- Surface Stability: Is it level and firm? Soft, waterlogged, or uneven turf is a nightmare for setting up large equipment and can be a trip hazard for guests.
- Spatial Footprint: Every game needs its own space plus a safety buffer around it. People need room to play, and others need space to watch without getting in the way. Always get the exact dimensions from your supplier and measure it out.
- Venue Access: How is the delivery team getting the games into position? Look for narrow gates, tight corners, steps, or steep slopes that could stop a trolley in its tracks. Clear access is vital.
Don't forget about the unseen infrastructure. Do any games need power? If so, you'll need to plan for safe, outdoor-rated power sources and make sure every single cable is securely covered to prevent trips. These are the details that, if ignored, cause last-minute chaos.
A common mistake is underestimating the 'play zone'. A giant Scalextric track might have a 10m x 5m footprint, but the enthusiastic crowd it pulls can easily double the space you actually need. Always plan for success and the room it requires.
Prioritising Safety And Compliance
Once you’ve given the site the green light, your focus has to pivot to safety protocols. At any corporate event, safety is paramount, but it’s magnified when you have large, interactive equipment in the mix. Your supplier is your most important partner here.
The cornerstone of all of this is a comprehensive risk assessment. A professional supplier should provide you with detailed assessments for each piece of equipment. These aren't just bits of paper; they outline potential hazards and the steps taken to control them. It’s a crucial part of your due diligence.
Next up, insurance. This is non-negotiable. Check that your supplier holds significant public liability insurance—for instance, PSW Events is covered for £10 million. This protects you, your client, and your guests if an incident were to happen. Don't be shy about asking to see their insurance certificate.
Finally, you can't overstate the value of having professional staff on-site. For many of the bigger garden games, especially anything electronic or complex, trained supervisors are essential.
- They Manage Setup & Breakdown: They ensure everything is installed correctly and safely.
- They Supervise Play: They guide guests on how to use the games properly and step in to prevent misuse.
- They Engage Guests: They can act as brand ambassadors, explaining the rules and encouraging people to have a go.
- They Are First Responders: Trained staff can handle any minor issues on the spot, from a stuck game piece to a safety concern.
Nailing these logistical and safety details is what transforms a simple collection of games into a polished, professional, and secure activation. Get this right, and you can focus on your guests on the day, confident that you’ve built the event on a solid foundation.
Turning Fun Into A Powerful Branding Opportunity
Sure, providing entertainment is great. But turning that fun into a measurable return on your investment? That’s where the real magic happens. Large garden games are far more than just a bit of a laugh; they’re a blank canvas for brand activation, ready and waiting to become dynamic platforms that deliver tangible marketing results.
Think of each game not just as an activity, but as a mini-billboard or an interactive brand touchpoint. This is the crucial shift from simply providing entertainment to creating a strategic brand experience. The goal is to move beyond passive enjoyment and start a real conversation between your brand and your audience—all in a setting where they’re relaxed, engaged, and receptive.
This doesn't need to be a massive, complicated undertaking. It can start with simple, elegant touches and scale all the way up to fully immersive brand environments. When you get it right, the branding feels like a natural part of the fun, not a forced advert. That’s the key to making a genuine connection.
Creative Customisation Ideas
The most direct route to integrating your brand is through visual customisation. Sometimes subtlety is most effective, but a bold statement can make a huge impact, depending on your event goals. By weaving your brand identity into the games themselves, you reinforce brand recall in a memorable, positive way.
Consider these tiered options for customising your garden games large:
- Subtle Touches: Think about adding your company logo to individual Jenga blocks, creating custom-coloured Connect 4 counters, or applying branded decals to the side of a Batak Pro machine. These small details show a real level of care.
- High-Impact Visuals: Why not design a fully branded surround for a game like giant Scalextric? This creates a self-contained brand zone that’s perfect for photo opportunities and draws guests in from across the venue.
- Digital Integration: Use electronic leaderboards to display player scores right alongside your logo and event hashtag. This not only gamifies the experience but also ties that competitive spirit directly back to your brand.
This simple diagram outlines the core logistical steps you’ll need to think about, ensuring your branding efforts are built on a solid foundation.
As you can see, a successful execution hinges on a clear process. It moves from site assessment and safety planning right through to the final setup, with each step being crucial for a flawless brand activation.
From Engagement To Lead Generation
While getting your brand seen is a great outcome, large garden games can also be powerful tools for lead generation. The natural footfall and high engagement around a popular game create the perfect opportunity to capture valuable attendee data without being intrusive.
By positioning a brand ambassador near a high-traffic game, you can convert playful interactions into qualified leads. This human touch makes data capture feel like a conversation, not a transaction, dramatically improving conversion rates.
The key is to make the process seamless and offer some value in return. For instance, you could require an email scan to get onto the leaderboard for a prize draw. Or, you could place a simple QR code on the game's frame that links to a landing page with more information or an exclusive offer.
This strategic placement transforms the game from a simple piece of entertainment into an active data capture hub, contributing directly to your business development pipeline. You can explore a variety of other corporate event entertainment ideas on our blog to see how different attractions can be used to meet marketing objectives.
Ultimately, the goal is to weave the games into your wider event narrative. They shouldn't feel like some random addition, but an integrated part of the story you’re telling about your brand. By turning fun into a focused branding opportunity, you ensure that your investment in entertainment delivers a clear and measurable business outcome.
How To Budget For Large Garden Game Hire
Working out the budget for your event entertainment can feel a bit like guesswork. When it comes to hiring garden games large enough to really make a statement, knowing the cost structure is the key to getting an impressive setup without breaking the bank. The price you see isn't just for a game; it's for a whole service designed to make your job easier.
Think of it like getting a suit tailor-made versus buying it off the peg. The initial quote from a professional supplier covers the basics – the high-quality game itself, delivery to your venue, and collection afterwards. But it also bundles in the essentials that ensure a stress-free event, like public liability insurance and the know-how of trained staff for the setup and breakdown.
These bits and pieces form the baseline of your investment. But, just like with that suit, you can add extra features to get the perfect fit for your event's specific goals. These add-ons are where you can really tailor the experience, but they will nudge the final price up.
Breaking Down The Costs
To budget properly, you need to know what’s usually included and what might be an extra. A frank chat with your supplier is always the best bet, but most quotes boil down to core components and potential upgrades. Getting this clear from the start helps you sidestep any nasty financial surprises later on.
A standard hire package will almost always cover:
- Game Hire: The rental fee for the equipment, usually for the day or the duration of the event.
- Logistics: Delivery to your location and collection once everything's wrapped up.
- Setup and Takedown: Professional installation to make sure the game is safe and ready to go.
- Insurance: Crucial public liability cover, like PSW's £10 million policy, which gives everyone peace of mind.
Potential add-ons that can elevate the experience but will increase the cost include:
- On-site Staffing: Having trained crew on hand to supervise play, chat with guests, and manage the activity.
- Custom Branding: This can range from simple logos on game pieces to fully branded surrounds.
- Multi-Day Hire: You'll often get reduced daily rates for events that span several days.
- Complex Logistics: Expect extra charges for venues with tricky access, like tight city centre spots or upper floors.
The biggest variable is often the staffing. While it's an added cost, having a pro on-site to run a complex game like a Batak Pro or a giant Scalextric track often delivers a much better return by maximising guest engagement and keeping everything safe.
Sample Investment Levels
To give you a clearer picture, let’s look at what you might expect at different budget levels. These are just ballpark figures to help you frame your initial conversations with suppliers. The demand for top-notch outdoor entertainment is definitely on the rise. In fact, projections show the UK's Game & Toy Manufacturing market is set to hit £972.8 million by 2026, which shows just how much people love engaging experiences. You can discover more about the growth of the UK's toy and games market and see how this trend is shaping event planning.
1. Entry-Level Package (Approx. £500 – £1,200)
This is perfect for smaller get-togethers, internal team-building days, or as a fun extra at a larger event. You could get a package of classic, non-electronic garden games large like a Giant Jenga, an Oversized Connect 4, and a few Cornhole boards. This budget usually covers delivery and setup but might not include full-time staff supervision.
2. Mid-Range Package (Approx. £1,200 – £2,500)
At this level, you can bring in more high-impact, electronic games. Think of a single headline attraction like a Batak Pro reaction game or a twin-player arcade machine, complete with on-site staff to run it. This is a brilliant way to drive engagement at a trade show stand or create a real focal point at a corporate summer party.
3. Premium Multi-Game Experience (Approx. £2,500+)
For large-scale corporate festivals or major brand activations, this budget lets you create a truly immersive multi-game zone. You could combine a flagship attraction like a giant Scalextric track with a whole suite of supporting games, full custom branding, digital leaderboards, and a dedicated team of staff. This is where entertainment becomes a powerful brand activation tool.
By understanding these tiers, you can have a much more productive conversation with suppliers, making sure you get the most out of every pound in your budget. Take a look at our full range of outdoor garden games to find options that fit exactly what you need.