As you prepare your patriotic BBQ for Independence Day, have you given any thought to 4th of July games for the family? Think about it. Everyone will be gathered together, and when they are not eating or drinking, they will need some fun activities to fill the time before the fireworks.
The following ideas for 4th of July outdoor games are perfect for children and adults and will help to provide hours of laughter, entertainment, and fun.
DIY 4th of July Outdoor Games
If you don’t mind getting a little crafty, these projects yield amazing results that you can use year after year as 4th of July games for the family:
- Tin Can Toss – Think backyard carnival game!
- 4th of July Backyard Bowling – A great way to upcycle your plastic bottles!!
- Giant Lawn Matching Game – A patriotic game of Memory.
- 4th of July Sidewalk Chalk – Perfect for hopscotch or keeping score during other games.
- Giant Yard Jenga – Paint the pieces red, white, and blue for that extra 4th of July feel.
- 4th of July Flag Balloon Dart Game – Another great carnival game in your own backyard!
- Ring Toss – Safe, fun and great for all ages!
- Giant Pickup Sticks – A blast from the past with a modern twist.
- Ker-Plunk – Check out this board game that’s been re-imagined on a larger scale!
Baseball
There’s nothing more American than baseball, but sometimes whiffle ball is more backyard appropriate. Host a game in your backyard and invite your friends, family, and neighbors to participate. Sub in a tee-ball stand for younger children so everyone can get involved in our nation’s favorite pastime.
American History Trivia
In the past 241 years, the United States has left quite the mark on this planet so celebrate those 241 years in your own backyard with American history trivia. You can cover topics ranging from American pop culture to historical events, presidents and politics, national geography, and anything else related to our wonderful nation. Have questions ranging from easy to challenging so the whole family can participate.
4th of July Pictionary
Grab some paper, markers, and a hat, and you’ve got yourself a game of Charades. Create patriotic answers for teams to guess and get drawing.
Red, White, and Blue Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is perfect for entertaining your youngest guests while the adults get the BBQ set up. You can use objects such as recreations of the Liberty Bell, the Constitution, Paul Revere’s horse, and George Washington’s wooden teeth. Other American items that young treasure hunters can find are soldiers (little green army men), American flags, apples (nothing more American than apple pie), and anything else that reminds you of our great country.
Classic Backyard Games
If you think creatively, it’s pretty easy to transform any backyard game into a 4th of July themed one. For instance, put a patriotic twist on classic games like Twister by substituting red, white, blue stars and stripes in place of the standard colored dots.
Also, find ways to incorporate the stars and stripes, or red, white, and blue into classic outdoor games such as:
- Cornhole – Use red and blue bean bags.
- Croquet – Use mini American flags in place of the standard wickets.
- Badminton – Have one team be red and the other blue as you bat around a white shuttlecock.
- Potato sack races – Have patriotic finish line!
- Bocce ball – Create patriotic bocce ball challenges.
- Horseshoes – Paint your horseshoes or the pole to embody the patriotic theme.
- Capture the flag – Use a mini American flag for each team!
The weather is perfect for 4th of July games so get outside and enjoy some quality time with the people you love. Don’t forget, if you’re a Copperleaf resident, be sure to stop by the Arboretum pool to enjoy 4th of July festivities! Have a fun, safe, and very happy 4th of July!