A family sits on colorful POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs around a fire pit near trees and on a snowy day.
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How to Host Your Own Backyard Winter Olympics

Written by: POLYWOOD Staff

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Published on

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Last updated on

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Time to read 3 min

Winter weather keeps most of us cozied up indoors, but if you and your kids are eager to get outside, why not make the season extra special with at-home Olympic Games? With a bit of creativity, you can bring the world’s most popular international sporting event to your backyard.

Here’s how to go for gold and plan a fun, family-friendly backyard winter Olympics with activity ideas, setup inspiration, and POLYWOOD furniture that makes winter entertaining possible in any climate.

In This Article
Plan the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Build Your “Olympic Village” Style an Awards Ceremony Area Warming Station or Hospitality Zone Design the Olympic Games Final Tips for a Smooth Backyard Winter Olympics Explore More Winter Content

Plan the Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Let the games begin with the lighting of the “Olympic torch,” in this case, a fire pit table. Choose a torchbearer to carry a flameless candle and lead everyone to the table. With the press of a button, the flames light, signaling the official start. Set up Adirondack chairs around the table where family and friends can settle in and enjoy the festivities.

When it’s time for the closing ceremonies, wrap things up in the same spot. Recap the best moments, snap some group photos, and turn off the fire pit to end your day.

Assorted colorful POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs surround a white fire pit table on a lawn before a blue home with large windows.

Build Your “Olympic Village”

Spectator Seating

Set up a comfy viewing area with deep seating so observers can relax and watch the fun unfold. Post the day’s schedule and add some plush blankets, pillows, and other cozy accessories if it's chilly, or go for lighter layers if the weather stays mild. Since Genuine POLYWOOD™ lumber stays strong through snow, rain, and sun, there’s no need to store (or cover) our all-weather furniture after the games end.



SHOP OUTDOOR ACCESSORIES
A family sits together beneath a blanket and pillows on a POLYWOOD EDGE 6 Piece Modular Deep Seating Set with beige cushions.
Featured: EDGE 6-Piece Modular Deep Seating Set in Black/Dune Burlap

Judges’ Table

Set up a sturdy dining set for the official scoring station, staying organized and on-theme with stopwatches, a buzzer, clipboards, and score paddles. (We recommend bar-height furniture for the best sightlines—judges need to see all the action.)



SHOP DINING FURNITURE
A grey POLYWOOD Modern Studio Urban Bar Chair 3 Piece Balcony Set sits on a balcony overlooking trees and a river.
Featured: Modern Studio Urban Bar Chair 3-Piece Balcony Set in Slate Grey

Style an Awards Ceremony Area

Use chairs in varied heights as “podiums” where bronze, silver, and gold winners can accept their medals and pose for photos.

A brown POLYWOOD La Casa Café Dining Arm Chair sits on a stone tile patio near a 36 Inch Round Farmhouse Dining Table.
Featured: La Casa Café Dining Arm Chair in Slate Grey
A grey POLYWOOD La Casa Café Counter Arm Chair sits on a grassy green lawn.
Featured: La Casa Café Counter Arm Chair in Lemon
A brown POLYWOOD La Casa Café Dining Arm Chair sits on a stone tile patio near a 36 Inch Round Farmhouse Dining Table.
Featured: La Casa Café Dining Arm Chair in Teak

Warming Station or Hospitality Zone

Even Olympians need a break sometimes. To keep the competitors energized, offer a designated spot to warm up or cool down between events.

Cold climates: Add outdoor heaters, deep seating, a bar cart with hot drinks, treats, and lots of layers to stay cozy.

A girl wearing winter clothes laughs while sitting in a red POLYWOOD Palm Coast Adirondack chair on a snowy day.
Featured: Palm Coast Adirondack in Sunset Red

Mild climates: Shade the space with an umbrella or pergola, and stock a snack and sports drink station where the athletes can recharge.

A woman stands by a white POLYWOOD Chippendale Bar Cart filled with pool toys, towels, and drinks on a poolside patio.
Featured: Chippendale Bar Cart in White

Design the Olympic Games

The best part of hosting backyard Olympics? You make the rules. Recruit the kiddos to help choose the day’s events, considering different skills so everyone has a chance to shine. Here are some starting points to spark creativity based on climate.

Olympic Game Ideas for Snowy Climates

  • Snowball target game
  • Relay races on packed snow
  • DIY curling or “ice hockey lite”
  • Snowman building contest

Olympic Game Ideas for Warm Climates

  • Timed obstacle course 
  • Frisbee or beanbag “biathlon” 
  • “Snowball” water balloon toss 
  • Bocce ball
A man stands by a boy on a bocce ball court, and a woman and young boy sit on grey POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Chairs nearby.
Featured: Modern Adirondack Chair in Slate Grey

Pro Tip: Use Furniture as Functional Game Markers

  • Benches to define various event areas
  • Ottomans or small side tables to signal start/finish lines, boundaries, or rest points
  • Stools to denote transition zones where athletes hand off relay batons or switch challenges

Final Tips for a Smooth Backyard Winter Olympics

Ensures it stays all fun and games with a safe setup.

  • Plan your backyard winter Olympics with the weather in mind. It’s okay to delay the activities if a storm rolls in. 
  • Keep a flexible schedule based on daylight and temperature changes. 
  • Have plenty of first aid supplies, hand warmers, sunscreen, and water on hand to keep everyone comfortable throughout the games.

Explore More Winter Content

POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack Chairs in Lime, Pacific Blue, and Sunset Red; a Seashell 18 Inch Side Table in Lime; and a Palm Coast Adirondack chair in Sunset Red encircle a fire pit in the snow.

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A snowy winter scene featuring an assortment of POLYWOOD seating and tables around a fire pit next to a stone cabin.

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An orange POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack Chair sits by a fire pit with people gathered around on a snowy day.

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A snowy scene featuring a family bundled in coats and hats, seated on various POLYWOOD furniture around a fire pit.

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A small box tied with green ribbon sits on a wood surface with glowing fairy lights, dried fruit slices, and cinnamon sticks.

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