The 4th of July is the perfect time to make sweet memories with your family—especially the grandkids! With the sun shining and everyone gathered outdoors, it’s a great chance to laugh, play, and enjoy each other’s company.
Why not add a few homemade games to the mix? From simple races and silly contests to crafty activities and old-fashioned fun like yard bowling or scavenger hunts, there’s something here for every age.
We’ve put together some easy, kid-friendly ideas to help you get started. So gather up the family, head outside, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun together. These are the moments your grandkids will always remember—and so will you!
Red, White, and Blue Tag
After dessert, kids will be full of energy—so it’s the perfect time for a game of tag! Choose two to four kids to be “it.” Everyone else picks a red, white, or blue item to wear or carry (like a ribbon, lei, or poker chip). When someone gets tagged, they give their item to the tagger. The first “it” to collect all three colors wins!
Abraham Lincoln Spoon Race
This game is named after one of our great American leaders, and it’s full of fun! Split the kids into two teams. Set up a start and finish line. At the start, place a bowl of pennies and two spoons or ladles—one for each team. At the finish line, put an empty bowl for each team.
Here’s how to play: One player from each team fills their spoon with as many pennies as they can, then walks quickly to the finish to drop them into the bowl. If they drop any pennies, they have to pick them up, return to the start, and try again. The first team to move all their pennies to the finish wins!
Potato Sack Race
Bring back a classic with a 4th of July potato sack race! Use red, white, and blue garbage bags, or decorate plain potato sacks with American flags or pictures of the Statue of Liberty. Line up the racers, hop to the finish line, and get ready for lots of laughs!
Festive Yard Bowling
Turn old soup cans into a fun 4th of July game! Just add some red, white, and blue paint—or use colorful duct tape. Set up a craft station and let the kids decorate their own cans. Once they’re done, stack the cans into a pyramid and play yard bowling! This easy DIY game costs just a few dollars but brings hours of fun for everyone.
American Sand Castles
Heading to the beach for the 4th of July? Build a festive sandcastle! Decorate it with red, white, and blue sand, tiny flags, colorful shells, and more. Remind kids to leave only natural things behind and to take all decorations home when the fun is done.
Decorated Bikes
Want to have the coolest crew in the neighborhood? Let the kids decorate their bikes before the big 4th of July parade! Set out streamers, stickers, tinsel, garlands, and mini flags. Then let the kids get creative. Be sure an adult is nearby to help with tricky parts—like attaching things—so little fingers stay safe around bike chains.
Patriotic Scavenger Hunt
Looking for a fun 4th of July game? Try a patriotic scavenger hunt! Send kids around the yard or neighborhood to find red, white, and blue items. Add special things to the list—like a nickel (to honor Thomas Jefferson, who helped write the Declaration of Independence) or tiny American flags. It’s a fun way to explore and learn at the same time!
Flag Relay
Get into the patriotic spirit with a flag relay race! Fill two big buckets with sand and stick in small American flags—one for each player. Put the buckets at the finish line.
Split the kids into two teams and have them line up at the starting point. When you say “go,” the first player from each team walks (no running!) to grab a flag, then marches back. The next player can’t go until the last one returns. The first team to collect all their flags wins!
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe
Make a big version of tic-tac-toe for some simple outdoor fun! Use a burlap square for the game board and bean bags for the Xs and Os. It’s perfect for the backyard or beach—and great while waiting for fireworks. Want to make it more festive? Outline the board with red or blue duct tape!
Baseball-Throwing Contest
Add some all-American fun to your 4th of July with a baseball-throwing contest! See who can throw the farthest. Head to a park or open field, and have an adult mark each throw. The person with the longest throw wins!
Read Also: 60 Funny and Hilarious Fourth of July Jokes That Will Have Your Grandkids Laughing
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