Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

Try Kubb .

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

another vote for cornhole, might be the best game evar

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

golf simulator (over budget) and space can be a problem

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

beer pong
darts

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

Outdoor ice rink, if you get 3 days in a row of under 32 degree weather, you have a fully functional ice skating rink in your backyard. Cost - 300ish

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

A horse-shoe pit is a great addition to a backyard if you host parties. Any game you can play with a beer in your hand is a good idea. I built a pit in my backyard and it was cheap and easy.

Bocce is another good backyard game. Its easy to play and you can play right on the lawn. If you get a Bocce set spend the extra money and get a nice one.

I would definitely go for a fire-pit if you have the space for one. You can buy decent pre-made ones at Home Depot or easily build one yourself.

My ideal basement setup would include:
-a bar
-poker table (preferably one of those octagon ones that have a cover so it can be used as an actual table as well)
-dartboard
-an arcade game (golden-tee would probably be popular with guests)
-pool table (bumper pool sucks)

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

For the basement, I recommend shuffleboard. Not the game you play on the deck of a cruise ship, but this here:

Linky

When we got tired of playing pool at the Green Room in Durham, NC, we played this. It was built in between two support columns where they couldn't fit another table in. The pucks ride on a layer of fine sand or glass bead. Good times.

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

Depending on the size of your yard you can get a cheap frisbee golf basket on a portable base and a few putters for a ton of fun. If you have the right shaped yard and a couple of natural obstacles (like, um, houses or trees) you are good to go.
Avoid the crappy foldable ones (like this: http://www.discgolfassoc.com/phmachlite.html)
and go with an M-14 ( http://www.discgolfassoc.com/phm14.html )

For discs you can just grab a bunch of Aviar putters ( http://www.dtworld.com/Aviar_Putter_p/g42-dxp.htm ). Get some of the lightweight ones for kids and a few heavier for adults.

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

[ QUOTE ]
bocce!

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QFT. I think it may be the perfect outdoor drinking game.

Re: Fun basement and backyard entertainment
 

You can't say enough for cornhole IMO. great game, and very easy to make the whole thing yourself. Kubb is also great fun, works with a bigger group than cornhole and both can be played casually by anyone which I think is a big factor for backyard activities.