The 4th of July is a great time for family, food, and fireworks. It’s also the perfect day for kids to play outside and enjoy fun games!
Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or just spending time with family, these 4th of July games for kids will help make the day special.

Best of all, they are low-prep and easy to set up. No fancy supplies needed – just smiles, laughter, and a little space to play.
From water fun to silly races, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready for a day full of red, white, blue, and fun!
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Fun 4th Of July Games For Kids
Looking for easy and exciting ways to keep kids busy on the 4th of July?
This list is packed with 25 fun backyard games that are perfect for kids of all ages.
They’re quick to set up, don’t need much planning, and bring a lot of joy. Let’s jump into the fun!
Patriotic Relay Races
Kids run with small flags, wearing red-white-blue gear. Use cones or pool noodles for obstacles.
Get ready to run!
In this fun relay race, kids carry small American flags while wearing red, white, and blue clothes.
Set up cones, hula hoops, or pool noodles in a line to create a simple obstacle course.
Kids must race from start to finish while holding their flag. They can hop, skip, or zig-zag through the obstacles.
Then they pass the flag to the next runner. The first team to finish wins!
Spoon & Water Balloon Race
Like the egg-and-spoon game – only with small water balloons for a splashy twist!
This is like the egg-and-spoon game – but wetter!
Each player gets a spoon and a small water balloon.
The goal is to walk from one point to another while balancing the balloon on the spoon. If it falls and pops, they have to start over.
You can do this as a relay or a single race. It’s super silly and fun. Watch out – you might get a little wet!
Capture the Flag (Red vs. Blue Edition)
Divide into red and blue teams and battle it out for the flag.
This classic team game is even more fun on the 4th of July!
Divide into two teams: Red and Blue. Each team hides its flag somewhere on its side of the yard.
The goal is to sneak into the other team’s area, grab their flag, and return without being tagged.
If you’re tagged, you go to “jail.” Teammates can rescue you. The first team to capture the other’s flag wins the game!
Firecracker Tag
“It” says “Boom!” and freezes everyone. Only someone who yells “Freedom!” can unfreeze them.
This game is a twist on freeze tag. One person is “It.”
When they tag someone, they shout “Boom!” and that person freezes like a firework.
Only another player can unfreeze them by yelling “Freedom!”
It’s a race to keep your friends moving while avoiding being “blown up.” You can play music or add fun rules, like hopping on one foot.
Star-Spangled Scavenger Hunt
Hide mini flags, stars, or themed trinkets around the yard for kids to find.
Hide red, white, and blue items around your yard.
These could be mini flags, stars, stickers, or small toys. Give each child a list or picture of what to find. Let them search high and low!
You can play in teams or have everyone look on their own. The first to find all the items wins a small prize.
It’s a great game for all ages and helps kids stay active and excited.
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🎯 Tossing & Aiming Games
These games are all about throwing, aiming, and having fun!
Kids can toss glow rings, pop balloons, and bounce ping pong balls into cups. They’re simple to set up and great for groups. Some are perfect for teams, others for solo players.
Whether you’re aiming for a target or trying not to pop a balloon, everyone stays active and smiling.
Best part? Lots of laughs and friendly competition!
Ring Toss with Glow Necklaces
Set up bottles and toss glow sticks – great as evening falls.
This game is perfect when the sun goes down.
Grab a few empty bottles and some glow-in-the-dark necklaces. Set the bottles in a row or circle on the ground.
Kids stand a few feet away and try to toss the glowing rings onto the bottles. You can move the bottles farther away to make it harder.
The glowing colors look super cool in the dark. See who can get the most rings on!
Cornhole with Red, White, and Blue Bean Bags
Easy to set up and always a hit with all ages.
Cornhole is a fun tossing game for everyone!
All you need is a cornhole board and some red, white, and blue bean bags. Players take turns tossing bean bags and try to get them into the hole or on the board.
You get points for each one that lands. Play one-on-one or in teams.
It’s easy to learn, and even little kids can play. First to reach 21 points wins!
Balloon Pop Tic-Tac-Toe
Fill red/white/blue balloons, arrange in a 3×3 grid, and pop to claim your square.
This is tic-tac-toe with a fun twist!
Blow up nine balloons – three red, three white, and three blue.
Set them up in a 3-by-3 square on the grass. Kids take turns choosing a balloon and popping it to place their mark.
You can use team colors or play with X and O signs on the balloons. The first one to pop three in a row wins!
Water Balloon Toss
Pair kids up and see how far they can toss without popping!
Cool off with this fun summer game!
Split into pairs and give each pair a water balloon. Start close together.
On “go,” each team tosses the balloon once. Then take a step back and toss again.
Keep going until the balloon pops. If yours breaks, you’re out!
The last team with an unpopped balloon wins. It’s a great way to stay cool and laugh a lot on a hot day.
Patriotic Ping Pong Toss
Use red cups and bounce ping pong balls into them for points.
Grab some red cups and ping pong balls for this easy game.
Set the cups in a triangle or straight line on a table or the ground.
Kids stand back and try to bounce ping-pong balls into the cups. You can put different points on each cup or add small prizes inside.
Try using red, white, and blue cups to make it more festive. It’s fun, fast, and easy to play again and again!
🎨 Creative & Chill Games
Need a break from running around? These games are perfect for quiet fun.
Kids can draw with chalk, paint their faces, or make star crafts. There’s also 4th of July Bingo and even a mini parade with decorated bikes!
These activities let kids use their imagination while still enjoying the holiday spirit. They’re also great for younger children or those who just want to relax and get creative.
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest
Let kids draw fireworks, flags, or whatever they want in red, white, and blue.
Give each child some red, white, and blue chalk. Let them draw on the driveway or sidewalk.
They can make flags, fireworks, stars, or anything patriotic. Set a timer if you want, or just let them draw for fun.
You can give out small prizes for the most colorful, most creative, or silliest picture.
It’s a relaxing activity that lets kids be creative and show off their art skills!
Star Craft Station
Low-mess setup with foam stars, stickers, and markers.
Set up a small table with simple craft supplies. Use foam stars, markers, stickers, glue, and glitter.
Kids can decorate their own red, white, and blue stars to take home. It’s a great low-mess activity for younger kids.
You can also use string to make star necklaces or hang them on a wall. It’s a calm and crafty break from running around.
4th of July Bingo
Printable bingo cards featuring patriotic items (flags, sparklers, BBQs, etc.).
Print out bingo cards with pictures of patriotic items like flags, hot dogs, sparklers, and fireworks.
Hand out a card and some markers or pennies to each player. As you call out the items, kids mark the spots on their cards.
The first person to get five in a row wins a prize! It’s simple, quiet, and fun for all ages – even adults can join in!
DIY Parade
Let kids decorate wagons, scooters, or bikes and march around the yard.
Let kids create their own mini-parade!
Set out decorations like streamers, ribbons, and flags. Kids can decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, or even strollers.
Once everyone is ready, have them line up and march around the yard or sidewalk.
Play patriotic music to make it feel like a real parade. Parents can watch and cheer. It’s cute, fun, and makes for great photos!
Face Paint Station
Quick red-white-blue designs like stars, flags, or fireworks.
Set up a table with red, white, and blue face paint. Use simple designs like stars, flags, fireworks, or stripes.
You can paint on cheeks, arms, or even hands. Make sure to use safe, washable paint.
Kids can choose their favorite design or ask for something silly. It’s a fun way to show off their patriotic spirit all day long!
💦 Water Games
Splash, laugh, and stay cool!
These water games are great for hot summer days. From water balloon tosses to sprinkler dances, there’s something for everyone.
Kids can play tag with water guns or try sponge throwing at silly targets. These games are perfect for backyard fun and don’t need much setup.
Just bring out the hose, a few balloons or buckets, and get ready for some soaking-wet excitement!
Sprinkler Limbo
Use a hose or sprinkler for a refreshing twist on limbo.
This game is like regular limbo – but with water!
Turn on a sprinkler or spray a hose in a straight line, low to the ground. Kids take turns leaning back and trying to go under the water stream without touching it.
After everyone tries, lower the water spray even more. Keep going until only one person can make it under without getting wet. It’s cool, silly, and fun on a hot day!
Red-White-Blue Water Gun Battle
Assign teams and color-code water guns with tape or balloons.
Split the kids into three teams – red, white, and blue. Give each team color-coded water guns using tape, balloons, or ribbons.
Set up bases or just let them run wild!
The goal is to tag players from other teams using water. Once a player is soaked, they return to their base before joining again.
Patriotic Sponge Toss
Fill buckets with water and throw sponges at targets (or each other!).
Fill up a few buckets with water and throw in some big sponges. Players take turns soaking a sponge, then tossing it at a target – or at a friend!
You can use hula hoops as targets or set up cans and bottles to knock over.
This game is easy to set up, fun to play, and perfect for staying cool. Great for all ages, and it’s safe, too!
Duck Pond Fishing Game
Float rubber ducks in a kiddie pool and fish for prizes.
Fill a kiddie pool with water and float some rubber ducks inside. Mark the bottoms of the ducks with numbers or colors.
Kids use toy fishing rods, nets, or even their hands to “catch” a duck. Each duck wins a small prize based on the number or color.
It’s a calm and simple game that little kids love – and it feels like a real carnival!
Flag Freeze Dance with Sprinklers
Dance around in the sprinkler and freeze when the music stops.
Turn on a sprinkler and play some fun, upbeat music.
Kids dance, jump, and play in the water. When the music stops, they must freeze like a statue!
Anyone who moves during the freeze is out for that round. Start the music again and repeat.
Add fun rules like “Freeze in a star shape!” or “Pose like a firework!” It’s a mix of dancing, laughing, and staying cool.
🍉 Party Favorites with a Twist
These games are fun classics – with a 4th of July twist!
Think pie tosses, cupcake walks, and a no-hands watermelon-eating contest. There’s also trivia to test your knowledge and bubbles to pop like crazy.
These activities are great for making memories and getting everyone involved, even grown-ups. Some are silly, some are tasty, and all of them bring tons of fun to your celebration.
Watermelon Eating Contest
No hands allowed! Always hilarious.
Get ready for a juicy challenge!
Slice up big pieces of watermelon and place them on plates. Kids must keep their hands behind their backs and eat using only their mouths.
The first person to finish their slice wins!
It’s messy, funny, and a great way to cool off. Everyone will be laughing as they try to gobble it down!
Cupcake Walk
Like a cakewalk – walk on numbered stars and win a treat when the music stops.
This is like a cakewalk but with sweet 4th of July treats!
Place numbered stars on the ground in a circle. Play fun music while the kids walk around the stars.
The person standing on that number wins a cupcake or a small prize. Keep playing until everyone wins something. It’s easy and super fun!
When the music stops, they freeze on a number. Then, pull a number from a hat.
Mini Pie Toss
Whipped cream + paper plates + brave participants = lots of laughs.
This one is all about whipped cream and silliness!
Fill paper plates with whipped cream – no need for real pie. Let kids toss the pies at a target, or even at a grown-up who’s brave enough to get messy.
You can use a plastic sheet or a cardboard cutout for a target, too.
It’s quick to set up and full of laughs. Be sure to have towels nearby for cleanup!
Bubble Bonanza
Blow tons of bubbles and have kids pop as many as they can in 30 seconds.
Bring out all the bubble wands, bubble machines, and bubble mix you have!
Blow tons of bubbles into the air. Kids have 30 seconds to pop as many bubbles as they can.
You can play fun music while they pop. Make it a contest or just let everyone play for fun.
It’s perfect for younger kids and a great way to keep everyone smiling.
Independence Day Trivia for Kids
Ask fun questions like “How many stars are on the flag?” or “What year was America born?”
Gather the kids for some red, white, and blue trivia!
Ask simple and fun questions like “How many stripes are on the U.S. flag?” or “What year did America become a country?” You can make teams or play individually.
Give small prizes or stickers for correct answers. It’s a fun way to learn while still enjoying the holiday party. Even adults might want to join in!
Conclusion
The 4th of July is more than just fireworks – it’s about making fun memories with family and friends.
These 4th of July games for kids are a great way to keep everyone smiling, laughing, and active all day long.
Whether it’s cooling off with water games or getting creative with crafts, there’s something for every child to enjoy.
Most of these games are simple, low-prep, and perfect for your backyard.
So grab your flags, gather the kids, and let the fun begin. Happy 4th of July – and let the games bring the celebration to life!
Engage With Us
We’d love to hear how your 4th of July celebration went!
Did you try any of these fun 4th of July games for kids? Which one was the biggest hit in your backyard?
Share your favorite game or even a fun photo in the comments below.
If you have other easy game ideas, feel free to let us know – we’re always excited to hear new ways to celebrate!