10 Outdoor Games To Make Your 4th July Family Celebration Star-Spanglingly Good
Luci McQuitty HindmarshThe 4th of July is just around the corner... cue George Michael Freedom 90 on Alexa!! If you are as excited as I am about putting together a super fun star-spangled celebration, remembering all that is good about the U.S of A, these are the party games that will turn your backyard party into the THE party of the year.
And me being me, I like to stick to games that are low on prep but max-out on fun. Given the 4th July is often a family celebration, I've included a bunch of games that work across the ages, from toddlers to grandparentals.
Oh and there's no need for expensive supplies or complicated setups, because most of these games use stuff you already have at home or can pick up during your regular shopping run.
Now, just a little side note before you read on. I've also got a bundle of 12 printable 4th July games in the shop.
Family-Friendly 4th July Outdoor Games
So, here they are, 12 simple yet funzies outdoor games that will make your Independence Day celebration the talk of the 'hood.
Patriotic Relay Race
A classic relay race with a red, white, and blue flavour that gets everyone up on their feet and burning off those party food excess cals!
- Number of players: 6 or more (divided into teams)
- What you need:
- Red, white, and blue items (balls, bandanas, frisbees)
- Buckets or containers for each team
- Optional: patriotic music
How to play:
- Divide players into even teams
- Set up a starting line and place buckets about 15-20 feet away
- Give each team an equal number of red, white, and blue items
- Players take turns running to their team's bucket to deposit one item
- First team to successfully transport all their items wins
- For extra fun, add challenges like hopping on one foot or walking backwards
4th July Photo Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt? And what kid or teen doesn't love the chance to get their phone out for a legit reason their parents have sanctioned?!
- Number of players: Any number
- What you need:
- List of patriotic items to find
- Paper bags or buckets for collecting
- Small prizes for participants
FYI: There's a ready-made photo scavenger hunt game in the 4th July games bundle.
How to play:
- Create a list of items to find (things that are red, white, or blue; items with stars; things shaped like the American flag)
- Give each player or team a collection bag and list
- Set a time limit (15-20 minutes works well)
- Players search the yard/park for items matching the descriptions
- Award points for each found item
- The player/team with the most points wins a small prize
Red, White and Blue Water Balloon Toss
Now this one is just so perfect for hot, hot, hot summer days! Just make sure all participants are ok with the possibility of getting drenched!
- Number of players: 4 or more
- What you need:
- Water balloons in red, white, and blue (pre-filled with water)
- Bucket for each team
- Towels for drying off
How to play:
- Divide players into pairs facing each other about 3 feet apart
- Give each pair a water balloon
- On "toss," players gently throw balloons to their partners
- After each successful catch, partners take one step backwards
- If a balloon breaks, that team is out
- Last team with an unbroken balloon wins
- For younger children, use small sponges instead of balloons
4th July Freeze Dance
A patriotic musical game that gets everyone moving and laughing.
- Number of players: Any number
- What you need:
- Patriotic music playlist
- Speaker
How to play:
- Play patriotic music and have everyone dance
- When the music stops, everyone must freeze in position
- Anyone who moves after the music stops is out
- Last player remaining becomes the "Founding Father" or "Founding Mother"
- For younger children, let them rejoin after sitting out one round
Patriotic Obstacle Course
A high-energy challenge that combines physical activity with red, white, and blue fun.
- Number of players: Any number
- What you need:
- Various garden items to create obstacles (chairs, hula hoops, etc.)
- Red, white, and blue decorations
- Stopwatch
How to play:
- Create a course with 5-6 stations (crawl under a table, hop through hula hoops, etc.)
- Decorate each station with patriotic colours
- Time each player as they complete the course
- Award the fastest time or let players try to beat their personal best
- For younger children, simplify obstacles and focus on fun rather than speed
- Consider a "stars and stripes" finish line made from crepe paper
4th July Ring Toss
A carnival-style game that tests aim and provides gentle competition.
- Number of players: Any number
- What you need:
- Empty 2-litre bottles (6-10)
- Hula hoops or rope rings
- Red, white, and blue paint or tape to decorate bottles
How to play:
- Decorate bottles with patriotic colours and arrange in a triangle
- Players take turns tossing rings to catch them around bottle necks
- Award points for each successful catch (bottles in back rows worth more)
- Each player gets 5 tosses per round
- Highest score after three rounds wins
- For younger children, allow them to stand closer to the bottles
Capture The Flag
A 4th July twist on the classic capture the flag game.
- Number of players: 8 or more
- What you need:
- Two small American flags or red, white, and blue bandanas
- Chalk or cones to mark territory boundaries
- Optional: coloured pinnies or bandanas to identify teams
How to play:
- Divide players into two teams, each with their own territory
- Place each team's flag at the back of their territory
- Players try to capture the opposing team's flag without being tagged in enemy territory
- If tagged in enemy territory, players go to a designated "prison" area
- Teammates can free prisoners by tagging them
- First team to capture the opposing flag and bring it back to their territory wins
Liberty Bell Hot Potato
A musical twist on hot potato with a patriotic theme.
- Number of players: 5 or more
- What you need:
- Small bell or ball wrapped in red, white, and blue tissue
- Patriotic music
How to play:
- Players sit in a circle
- Start the music and pass the "Liberty Bell" around the circle
- When the music stops, the player holding the bell is out
- Last player remaining wins
- For added fun, have eliminated players sing a verse from a patriotic song
- For younger children, let them stay in the game but perform a silly patriotic action
American History Charades
A creative game that combines acting with patriotic themes.
- Number of players: 6 or more
- What you need:
- Cards with American history themes written on them
- Timer
- Optional: prop box with hats, toy weapons, flags
How to play:
- Divide into two teams
- Players take turns selecting a card and acting out the historical event or person
- Set a 1-minute timer for each turn
- Team earns a point for each correct guess
- Ideas include: signing the Declaration, Washington crossing the Delaware, fireworks display
- For younger children, use simpler concepts like "waving a flag" or "marching in a parade"
Red Versus Blue Tug of War
A classic strength game with a red, white, and blue twist.
- Number of players: 6 or more
- What you need:
- Strong rope (at least 15 feet long)
- Red, white, and blue ribbons to mark the centre
- Bandanas to mark teams
How to play:
- Mark the centre of the rope with patriotic ribbons
- Draw a line on the ground to mark the middle
- Divide players into two equal teams
- Teams pull on opposite ends of the rope
- The team that pulls the centre marker over their side's line wins
- For safety, ensure players don't wrap rope around hands or arms
- For added fun, have teams choose patriotic team names
And don't forget, you can grab our 4th July bundle of 12 printable games in the shop.
