Independence Day Games

Tips for Independence Day Parties that Go off with a Bang

Fun for any age

One of the greatest challenges of putting together party games that everyone will enjoy is that people of different ages will want to do different things. Some suggestions for how you can please many different people include having sidewalk chalk for younger kids, races and competitions for older kids and participating adults, and word puzzles for the older, shy, or less active guests. You do not have to have everyone participate in every game that you think of. Some parents will be happier watching their kids have fun and some kids would rather just take in the sights and sounds of the day. Leave your options open and just make sure that everyone can do something fun if they want to.

Water games

July is the perfect time of year for water related play. You can incorporate the 4th of July theme by using red, white and blue balloons in a water balloon toss. The water balloon toss is relatively simple. All you do is split your group into two teams and place them in equal parallel lines facing each other. The person that you are directly across from is your partner. Give each person in one of the rows a water balloon. Starting just a few feet apart all the people on the one side of the line will throw their balloon to their partner on the other side. If the balloon is dropped, that team is eliminated. If the balloon is caught, then each member takes a step back and tosses the balloon again. The game goes on until only one team remains.

Fireworks safety

Nothing ends a fun 4th of July party better than a fireworks show. And of course the worst thing that could happen is that someone gets hurt. Protect your family from any unpleasant 4th of July memories by starting any firework activities with rules to keep all out of harm’s way. For children who are responsible enough to handle sparklers, you can have them write their names in the smoke the sparkler lets off or see whose sparkler lasts the longest.

Make Your 4th of July Party Really Great With Games

4. Races – have relay races where flags are passed from one teammate to another. Have competitions to see who is best at hula hooping, Frisbee throwing, jump roping and yo-yoing. Decorate a broom stick with streamers and play limbo.
5. Piñata – every outdoor party needs a piñata. Fill a patriotic piñata star with candy and let the kids have at it.
6. Fireworks – The 4th of July would not be the same without fireworks. Set rules beforehand about firework safety. Let older children hold sparklers and show younger children how to use poppers (the little snap cracker fire works that you throw on the ground). Watch from a safe distance as an adult lights the ground fireworks. Have multiple families pool their firework supplies for a spectacular show that all can enjoy.

Of course these games are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more games that can be played at your next 4th of July party that will really go over well. As you are planning what you want to do for your party, it would be wise to keep the needs of your guests in mind. Older and younger children may not be entertained by the same games, so make sure that you have a good mix of younger and older children games or that you have a plan to keep everybody entertained. Make sure that you are organized and have planned your games well so that you have all of the supplies ready when you need them. It is a good idea to have several games that can be played at any time during the party (such as the word searches and scrambles). This way kids and adults can have something to do while they are eating or waiting for different games to be set up.