New Video Games vs. Giant Backyard Games: An Honest Comparison for Parents

The real question isn't which is more fun

Every parent has been there: your kid is begging for the latest video game release, you're not totally opposed, but something makes you pause before you hit buy. Maybe it's the thought of another summer spent staring at a screen. Maybe it's the fact that the last "must-have" game collected dust within three weeks. Whatever it is, you're here weighing your options — and that's actually a smart instinct worth following.

This isn't a post that demonizes video games. Plenty of them are genuinely great. But when you're spending real money on something meant to entertain your kids and bring the family together, it's worth being honest about what each option actually delivers. So let's compare them directly.

What a new video game typically gives you

A new release hits different in the first week. The excitement is real, the social currency at school is real, and if it's a multiplayer title, those first few sessions with friends can be genuinely memorable. No argument there.

But here's what tends to happen after that initial rush: the novelty fades faster than the price tag. Single-player games especially tend to plateau once the main story is done. Multiplayer games keep kids engaged longer, but they also tend to pull everyone into their own corner of the house — headsets on, no eye contact, conversation reduced to in-game callouts.

There's also the platform dependency. A game tied to one console means only one person plays at a time, or you're buying multiple copies. And if your kids have different ages or skill levels, the gap between a 7-year-old and a 13-year-old in a competitive shooter makes the younger one feel left out fast.

What a giant outdoor game set actually delivers

The Bolaball Giant Outdoor Activity Set bundles three classic games into one pine wood set: 45 tumbling blocks, 28 giant dominoes, and 6 oversized dice — all made from 100% pine wood and packed into a durable blue carry bag. On paper, it sounds simple. In practice, it does something most single purchases don't: it gives you three completely different games with one buy, playable by 2 to 6 people at a time.

The tumbling block tower is the obvious crowd-pleaser. There's a specific kind of tension in a room — or a backyard — when a tower is wobbling and someone's hand is shaking on a block. That tension is universal. A 6-year-old feels it the same way a 60-year-old does, which is exactly why it works across generations at a BBQ or a birthday party in a way that almost no video game can replicate.

The giant dominoes add a slower, more strategic layer — good for winding down after a rowdy round of the tower game. And the oversized dice open the door to a dozen different games depending on who's playing. (If you want ideas for those, this guide to outdoor dice games is worth a read.)

Crucially, none of these require a screen, a power outlet, or a Wi-Fi connection. They work at a campsite, a tailgate, a park, or your living room floor on a rainy afternoon.

Side by side: what each one actually scores on

• Who can play at once: Most video games max out at 2-4 local players, often requiring extra controllers. The Bolaball set supports up to 6 players simultaneously, with no additional purchases.
• Age range: Video games have real skill and maturity gaps between younger and older kids. Giant tumbling blocks and dominoes are intuitive enough for young kids and engaging enough that adults don't feel like they're babysitting the game.
• Physical activity: Video games offer little to none. Outdoor block games get kids moving — reaching, crouching, jumping back when the tower falls. It's not a workout, but it's not sitting still either.
• Replay value over time: A video game's replay value depends heavily on the title. The Bolaball set doesn't have a story to finish or levels to unlock — every game is a fresh start, which means it doesn't "run out" the way a single-player game does.
• Portability: Video games require hardware. The carry bag means this set goes wherever you go — no chargers, no cases, no worrying about scratched discs.
• Screen-free time: Zero screens involved. For parents actively trying to balance their kids' screen time, this one matters.

Where video games still win

Honesty matters here. If your kid is passionate about a specific franchise, or gaming is genuinely how they connect with their friend group online, a new release serves a real social function that a backyard game can't replace. Long-distance friendships are maintained through online multiplayer in a way that's legitimate and worth respecting.

Video games also offer things giant block sets don't — narrative depth, creative worlds, and solo entertainment on a rainy day when no one else is around. If your child is an only child or frequently plays alone, a physical group game isn't always the right answer.

The honest verdict

If you're buying for one kid who mostly plays solo or online with distant friends, a new video game might genuinely be the better fit. But if you're buying something for the family — for gatherings, for siblings, for a summer of actual together-time — the math shifts pretty clearly. A set that plays three different games, works for ages 6 to 60, travels in a bag, and doesn't require charging is a harder thing to replace than a single game title.

The Bolaball Giant Outdoor Activity Set is built for exactly that kind of use: durable pine wood that handles outdoor conditions, a carry bag so it doesn't live permanently in the garage, and enough game variety that it doesn't get old after one afternoon.

Before you add to cart on that new release, take a look at what the Bolaball Giant Outdoor Activity Set delivers for the same budget — three games, real wood, and the kind of memories that don't require a power cord.