The summer solstice is all about celebrating light, warmth, and the abundance of your blooming garden. What better way to honor the longest day of the year than by turning your outdoor oasis into a playground? From scavenger hunts among lavender and bee balm to sunflower ring tosses beneath towering Helianthus annuus, these games are sure to delight guests of all ages and keep the solstice spirit alive!
I know how magical it feels when kids dart between flower beds or friends gather under the rose‐scented breeze. But it’s such a bummer when guests lose interest or the solstice party fizzles out. Below are nine garden games—each tied to fragrant, pollinator-friendly plants—that will keep everyone smiling, laughing, and exploring your garden’s hidden corners well into the golden hour!
Seed Bomb Toss
Transform clay and compost into “seed bombs” studded with native wildflower seeds like Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) and Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan). Both species are native to North America and non-invasive in garden settings. Players take turns tossing their seed bombs into designated planting circles—closest to the target wins!
This game encourages guests to learn about your garden’s eco-friendly side while participating in a guerrilla-style planting mission. I love hearing cheers when a toss lands perfectly—and knowing that in a few weeks, those little clods of earth will burst into vibrant pollinator-magnet blooms!
Sunflower Ring Toss
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) hail from the Great Plains and aren’t invasive in home gardens, though they self-seed readily if spent heads are left. Plant sturdy stalks in a circle and hand out rope or wooden rings. Players aim to hook rings over the thick stems—each successful toss earns points!
It’s such a thrill watching guests line up their throws beneath those giant yellow faces. The combination of friendly competition and dramatic floral backdrop makes for memorable solstice snapshots—and a few stray rings looped over blooms sparks laughter all around!
Pollinator Scavenger Hunt
Create a checklist of pollinators—honeybees on Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender), bumblebees on Monarda didyma (bee balm), and butterflies on Zinnia elegans. Both lavender and zinnias are Mediterranean and Mexican natives, respectively, that naturalize without invasiveness. Guests wander with magnifying glasses, snapping photos or ticking off sightings!
I know how frustrating it can be when a scavenger hunt feels too easy or too vague. By tying each target to specific plants that reliably attract pollinators, you ensure nonstop action. Plus, it’s a delightful way to teach everyone about the critical role these insects play in our gardens!
Herb Identification Relay
Line up potted herbs—Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Mentha spicata (spearmint), and Ocimum basilicum (basil)—and have teams race to identify each by scent, appearance, or taste. Thyme and basil are Mediterranean natives that rarely spread invasively in containers; mint can be invasive, so keep it potted to tame its runners.
This game mixes knowledge with speed, as teammates tag each other to sniff, taste, or describe the herb’s origin. It’s so rewarding to hear excited gasps when someone correctly names that citrusy lemon thyme—they’ll remember these aromas long after solstice!
Garden Maze Challenge
Use tall matrices of Amaranthus cruentus (ornamental amaranth) and Nicotiana alata (flowering tobacco) to fashion a temporary hedge maze. Amaranth, native to the Americas, isn’t invasive in garden beds, while Nicotiana—originating in South America—can self-seed but seldom escapes cultivation.
Racers weave through fragrant tunnels, guided only by sun dials or garden markers. Each checkpoint features a quick trivia about the plants—like amaranth’s edible seeds or nicotiana’s moth-attracting blooms. It’s such a delight to see players emerge triumphant, faces flushed with laughter and pollen!
Bug “Bingo” in the Butterfly Bed
Design bingo cards listing common garden visitors: Monarch butterflies on Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), leafcutter bees nesting in Salvia stems, and ladybugs on Rosa rugosa (rugosa rose). Butterfly weed is native to North America and non-invasive; rugosa rose, from East Asia, can naturalize but is prized for erosion control.
As guests spot each critter, they mark their cards—first to bingo wins a jar of homemade solstice-harvested jam! I love how this game sharpens observation skills and connects participants with the tiny, buzzing neighbors that make our gardens hum.
Leaf-Art Station and Rubbing Race
Set out heavy paper and crayons near beds of Nebulosa oak (Quercus macrocarpa) leaves or the lacy fronds of Achillea millefolium (yarrow). Both are non-invasive North American natives. Guests race to create the most detailed leaf rubbings or composite leaf collages in a timed challenge!
It’s such a creative interlude—friends gather on blankets, giggling as they reveal hidden vein patterns beneath their crayons. Plus, the finished art makes charming keepsakes of the solstice celebration!
Soil Sifting Treasure Dig
Fill a sandbox or raised container with seed-free potting mix and bury small garden-themed tokens—miniature terracotta pots, ceramic ladybugs, or solar-powered garden lights. Provide hand sieves so players gently sift soil without damaging any emerging seedlings you’ve planted.
This tactile game teaches respect for soil structure (vital for native wildflowers like Gaillardia pulchella, the blanket flower) and gives everyone a hands-on taste of gardening fun. I always find a few precious gems tucked in dark corners—it’s like hunting for buried treasure beneath the parsley patch!
Flower Crown Craft and Parade
Harvest flexible stems of Nepeta × faassenii (catmint) and Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile)—both non-invasive European natives—and offer small floral wire and ribbon. Guests weave crowns in teams, then parade down a “garden aisle” for solstice honors!
Watching everyone don their botanical tiaras is pure joy. The scent of catmint and chamomile mingles in the air, and the impromptu fashion show brings out peals of laughter—making your longest-day party feel like a fairy-tale fête!
