This Giant Outdoor Toppling Tower Game Will Liven Up All Your Backyard Gatherings This Summer

When the sun is out and the weather is warm, there's nothing better than spending an afternoon hanging out in the backyard with friends. And when you're surrounded by great company, all you need to enjoy the day are the basic essentials, like good food, delicious drinks, and, of course, some games to keep you occupied. Enter: GoSports' Giant Wooden Toppling Tower, a crowd-pleasing game that's easy to learn, simple to set up, and seriously fun to play.

When my now-husband and I got married this past spring, I added the game to our wedding registry on a whim; it seemed enjoyable enough, and I figured it'd be wise to stock up on entertainment options before the summer months came around. My friend was kind enough to buy it for us, and I'm so glad she did. The game is a blast.

Buy It: GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower Game in Tropical Hardwood, ($75, Amazon)

Those familiar with the classic game Jenga know the drill—after building a 2.5-foot-tall tower out of wooden blocks, players take turns pulling the blocks out while trying to avoid causing the tower to fall to the ground and placing them back on top of the tower. You don't need rules to play, but the blocks are labeled and the game comes with a dry erase board so you can set some up (i.e. "skip next turn if you pull out Block 5") if you want to give things a competitive twist, then erase them and start over with new rules for the next round.

What makes this game stand out from similar options is the quality and size of the blocks. They're sanded and smooth, and available in five high-quality stains. They're also huge; big enough to make 18 rows and to grow past five feet tall if all goes well. The blocks' ridiculous size adds an extra dose of fun to playing, upping the stakes and causing a hilarious scene when they inevitably fall to the ground. But don't worry about cleanup; the game comes with a carrying case that perfectly fits all 54 blocks, making storing the unit and bringing it along to outdoor events—despite its large size—a simple task.

Buy It: GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower Game in Brown, $84 (was $90), Amazon

My husband and I have spent numerous weekend afternoons entertaining ourselves with the game, and now that summer's around the corner, we'll be inviting friends over to enjoy the activity as well. We certainly won't be the only ones with the idea, either; hundreds of Amazon shoppers have left glowing five-star reviews for the game, which has earned over 4,900 perfect ratings.

The game "adds a great vibe to any party/gathering atmosphere," wrote one customer, adding that it's "great fun for all ages." Others praised everything from the blocks' lovely wood coloring to the ease of the carrying case to the ingenuity of the reusable rules board.

I'm so glad that we added the game to our registry, because it's already provided tons of fun this season and I know there's plenty more around the corner. Shop it at Amazon starting at $75.