50 Easy 4th of July Backyard Games To Play and Party

Playing 4th of July backyard games is a great way to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends. Like Juneteenth, it’s a wonderful day to celebrate our great country.

Whether you’re looking for an active game such as Cornhole or Water Balloon Toss, something more relaxed like Horseshoes or Badminton, or games that the whole family can enjoy together like Ladder Ball or Giant Jenga, there is a 4th of July game for everyone.

Play some music and have some backyard barbecue – it’s going to be a great time!

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50 Easy 4th of July Backyard Games To Play and Party

Here are some ideas to help you plan your own backyard festivities:

Cornhole

Cornhole is a classic beanbag toss game that requires two boards with holes in the top and eight bags filled with corn. Players take turns throwing bags at their opponents’ board, trying to score points by getting the bag in the hole or on the board.

Water Balloon Toss

This game is perfect for a hot summer day, and can be played in teams of two or more. Fill up some water balloons (get red and blue balloons to be festive) and divide into teams.

Each team takes turns tossing the balloon back and forth to each other until it breaks!

Horseshoes

Horseshoes is a fun and easy game for all ages. It requires two horseshoes, a stake or peg, and an area of dirt or sand. Players take turns throwing the horseshoe at the stake, trying to get it to land around the peg for points.

Ladder Ball

Ladder Ball is a fun game that can be played with teams of 2-4 players. Each team stands or sits on opposite sides of the ladder and takes turns throwing bolas (two balls connected by a short rope) at the ladder.

The goal is to wrap the bola around one of the rungs, earning points depending on where it lands.

Giant Jenga

This giant version of the classic game requires 54 wooden blocks, which are stacked three levels high.

Take turns removing one block at a time from the stack without disturbing the tower, then adding it to the top.

The player who knocks down the tower loses!

This is one of my family’s favorite outdoor games to play at parties.

Ring Toss

Ring toss is another classic game that can be played with teams of two or more. Use cones and small hoops to see who can score the most!

Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe

This game requires two frisbees with different colors, which are used to make a tic-tac-toe grid on the ground. Players take turns throwing their frisbee at the other player’s square, trying to score points by making a row of three in a row.

Charades

This classic game is perfect for family game nights or backyard parties. Divide into two teams and have each team write down 10 phrases (e.g., “The Great Outdoors”) on pieces of paper.

Take turns drawing the phrases and acting them out without speaking, while the other team guesses correctly.

KanJam

This game requires two teams of two players each. The goal is to throw a frisbee at the can, trying to score points by getting it in or near the can for a “throw” or a “slam.” The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Tug-of-War

Divide participants into two teams and have them compete in a classic game of tug-of-war. The team that pulls the opposing team over the line wins.

Patriotic Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt with patriotic-themed items for participants to find around the backyard. Provide them with a list and see who can find all the items first.

Watermelon Eating Contest

This is a fun and refreshing way to celebrate Independence Day. Have teams of two or more participants compete in an all-out watermelon eating contest! The team that eats the most watermelon wins.

Volleyball

Set up a net and have teams of two or more players compete in a classic game of volleyball. Play to 21 points and keep track of the score on a chalkboard or large piece of paper. The team that reaches 21 first wins!

Glow in the Dark Ring Toss

This game requires some glow-in-the-dark rings and an illuminated target board (which you can make from neon poster board). Players take turns tossing the rings at the board, trying to get them onto one of the illuminated targets for points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Limbo

Set up a limbo stick and have participants take turns going under it without falling over or knocking it down. Lower the stick after each round until you have one winner that can pass under it with ease!

Kite Flying

Fly some patriotic kites in the backyard and have a friendly competition to see who can keep theirs in the air for the longest amount of time.

Capture The Flag

Divide participants into two teams, each with their own flag. The goal is for one team to capture the other team’s flag while defending its own. This game requires

Potato Sack Race

Set up a race track and have participants hop inside potato sacks or large pillowcases to see who can reach the finish line first.

Three-Legged Race

Pair up participants and tie one of their legs together. The pairs must then race to the finish line while keeping their legs tied together. First to reach the finish line wins!

Golf Putting

Set up some golf putting holes in the backyard and have teams of two or more compete to see who can putt their ball in the hole the quickest. The team with the most points at the end wins!

Sponge Relay Race

Fill up buckets with water and sponges, then divide participants into two teams. The goal is for each team to take turns running down to the bucket, soaking up the sponge, and running back to their starting point. The first team to finish wins!

Glowstick Twister

Twist up some glow sticks and set up a classic Twister board in the backyard. Each player must put their hands or feet on a glowing color while following the spinner’s directions. First to reach the end wins!

Glow Stick Fishing

Tie some glow sticks to a fishing line and have participants try their luck at fishing for them in a pool or shallow pond. The player with the most catches wins!

Firefly Catch

When the sun sets, turn off all the lights and have participants try to catch as many fireflies as they can in jars. The player with the most captures wins!

Grilling Contest

Divide participants into teams and have them compete in a grilling contest. Provide each team with the same ingredients and see who can make the best meal using only their BBQ skills. Delicious food and bragging rights are sure to be had by all.

Karaoke Competition

Turn up the tunes and have participants compete in a karaoke competition. Provide a list of patriotic songs for them to choose from and see who can hit the highest notes! The contestant with the best performance wins.

Coin Toss

This game requires two players, each with their own set of coins. Take turns tossing the coins and seeing who can get the most heads or tails in a row. The first person with the most winning tosses wins!

Glow Stick Sculpture Contest

Provide participants with an array of glow sticks and challenge them to create their own glowing sculpture. The artist with the best design wins!

Tugboat Races

Fill up a kiddie pool with water and provide each team with their own tugboat (e.g., empty plastic bottles or buckets). Have them race to see who can make it across the pool first!

It’s the perfect way to make use of your recyclables!

Flag Football

Divide participants into two teams and have them compete in a classic game of flag football. The team with the most touchdowns at the end wins! This is one of the most fun fourth of july games.

Glow Stick Golf

This game requires some glow sticks, a few golf clubs, and an illuminated target board (which you can make from neon poster board).

Players take turns hitting the ball with their clubs at the board, trying to get it onto one of the illuminated targets for points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Hot Dog Eating Contest

This classic backyard competition requires participants to compete in an all-out hot dog eating contest. Provide each team with their own hot dogs and buns, and the team that eats the most wins!

Parachute Tag

Spread out a large parachute on the ground and have participants take turns running underneath it while trying to tag each other. Whoever is not tagged wins!

Tire Flip Relay Race

Divide participants into two teams and have them compete in a tire flip relay race. Provide each team with their own tires and see who can make it to the finish line first!

Croquet

Set up a classic game of croquet in the backyard and have teams of two or more players compete. Play to 10 points and keep track of the score on a chalkboard or large piece of paper. The team that reaches 10 first wins!

Egg Toss

Divide participants into teams of two and have them take turns tossing an egg back and forth. The team that can toss it the furthest without breaking the egg wins! First player to drop an egg loses.

Glow in the Dark Badminton

This game requires some glow-in-the-dark rackets and shuttlecocks. Have teams of two or more players compete in a classic game of badminton. Play to 11 points and keep track of the score on a chalkboard or large piece of paper. The team that reaches 11 first wins!

Hula Hoop Contest

Provide each participant with their own hula hoop and have them compete to see who can keep the hoop going around their waist for the longest amount of time. Last one standing wins!

Water Balloon Fight

Fill up some balloons with water and have participants take turns throwing them at each other. The last person standing wins!

This classic party game is one of the best outdoor games, especially when it’s hot!

Bocce Ball

Set up a classic game of bocce ball in the backyard and have teams of two or more players compete. The team that reaches 12 points first wins! It’s a fun way to pass the time.

George Washington Says

A patriotic version of Simon Says, George Washington Says requires one person to be the leader and call out instructions like “George Washington says, touch your nose!”.

Anyone who does not follow the instruction is out of the game. Last one standing wins!

American History Trivia

Set up a trivia game based on American history facts. Provide each team with their own set of questions and see who can answer the most correctly. The team with the highest score at the end wins!

The best part is that if you win, you get major bragging rights! American History trivia is the perfect 4th of july game.

Kickball

Set up a classic game of kickball in the backyard and have teams of two or more players compete. Use paper plates or hula hoops are your bases.The team that reaches 21 runs wins!

Spud

Divide participants into two teams and have them compete in a classic game of spud, where they must throw a potato back and forth until one team catches it. The first team to catch the potato wins!

Build a Monument

Give everyone packs of straws and tape and have them construct a United States monument. Whether it’s the Statue of Liberty or the Lincoln Memorial, have them give it their best shot!

The team with the most impressive creation wins.

Ultimate Frisbee

Set up a classic game of Ultimate Frisbee in the backyard and have teams of two or more players compete. The team that reaches 21 points first wins!

Backyard Bowling

Set up some empty water bottles as pins and provide each team with their own set of balls or bean bags. Have them compete to see who can knock down the most pins in one turn. The team with the highest score at the end wins!

Bingo

Provide each participant with their own bingo cards and have them compete to see who can fill in the most squares. The player who completes five in a row wins!

Tiny Flag Hunt

Like an Easter egg hunt, but with paper flags! Hide several small American flags around the backyard and have participants compete to see who can find them all first. The player who finds the most wins!

Balloon Darts

Fill up some balloons with water and hang them from a line – bonus points if you set it up as the American Flag! Check the dollar store for cheap darts and balloons.

Provide each participant with their own set of darts and have them compete to see who can burst the most balloons in one turn. The player with the highest score at the end wins!

Flag Memory Match

Provide participants with an array of American flags and challenge them to find all the matching pairs. The player with the most successful matches wins!

Grandma’s Apple Pie Bake-Off

This game requires some baking skills! Have participants compete in an all-out apple pie baking contest. The contestant who bakes the best pie wins!

Final Thoughts on Easy 4th of July Backyard Games

These are just some of the many fun and exciting games that you can play on America’s birthday in your backyard. I hope these fun ideas inspired your fourth of july party games!

Don’t forget to keep score and keep the games going for next year. Happy 4th of July!

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