It’s July, which means Independence Day is just around the corner– and it’s time to celebrate. We have some fun, creative, patriotic, do it yourself games for you to try. Whether you’re having a party, or just want to show your kids a good time– we have 5 ideas to keep you and your guests entertained for hours.
Flag Balloon Dart Game
Giggles Galore has this creative idea, complete with prizes! This game even doubles as a photoshoot backdrop– so be sure to take pictures before you play it.
What You Need:
-White pegboard, approximately 6′ x 4′
-Red, white, and blue balloons
-Candy or money for prizes
-Darts
Directions:
1.) Cut your pegboard down to 6′ x 4′ to resemble the rectangular shape of the flag.
2.) Fill the balloons with candy or money.
3.) Once the treats are all inside, blow the balloons up.
4.) Add the balloons to the pegboard. Start at the bottom, take the end of the balloon, and thread it through. Leave about 5 holes in-between each balloon, alternating the pattern of the flag.
Patriotic Scavenger Hunt
Peachyhill has some fun, free, printable party games. Our favorite is the American-themed scavenger hunt. Split into teams and see who can find all of their items the fastest.
Watermelon Eating Contest
If you’ve never had a watermelon eating contest, you’ve been missing out! It’s a blast to play, and you’re guaranteed to laugh– a lot.
Rules:
The object of the contest is to be the fastest person to eat a large wedge of watermelon down to the rind. Hands-free eating is required! Players must place their hands behind their backs while eating the watermelon, and all of the watermelon on the plate must be consumed.
American Flag Giant Ring Toss
This game is a patriotic variation of a traditional ring toss. To change things up a bit you can use hula hoops in place of the rings, and small American flags for the sticks.
What You Need:
-Tape
-Small American flags
-4 hula hoops, 2 red, 2 blue
Directions:
1.) Mark the starting line with tape.
2.) Place the small flags in your yard. Make sure they’re about 3-4 feet apart from each other. Place them varying distances from your starting point.
Rules:
Each person has two hula hoops of the same color. They each have two chances to ring the closest flag. If they do, they get one point. Starting at the same spot, they now have two chances to ring the next closest flag, and so on. The person with the most points at the end wins.
Stars & Stripes Bean Bag Toss
Our final game comes to you from the brilliant minds at Charles and Hudson. It’s a little more time consuming, and requires you to be a bit crafty– but the end result is well worth the effort. You can use these corn hole boards in the future, and even repaint them for other occasions.
Supplies:
48” 2×4 pieces- 4
21” 2×4 pieces- 4
12” 2×4 pieces- 4
2 – 48”x 24” birch covered ½” plywood sheets
Box of 2” deck screws
4 – 3/8” carriage bolts with washers and wingnuts.
Sandpaper 180, 220 grit
Drill/Driver with Phillips bit or screwdriver
¼” drill bit
Circular saw
Measuring tape
Pencil
Red, white and blue paint
Stencils
Directions:
1.) Measure and cut wood pieces.
2.) Sand the edges of the pieces and the birch plywood sheet.
3.) Cut holes in the boards about six inches in diameter, and center 9 inches from the top and 12 inches from each side of the edges.
4.) Drill a starting hole and cut along the circle line.
5.) Sand the inside and outside edges.
6.) Build your board frames by aligning the sides and ends and pre-drill holes.
7.) Attach sides with deck screws into pre-drilled holes.
8.) Attach the platform placing it onto the frame and align each edge so it sits evenly.
9.) Pre-drill holes in each corner.
10.) Screw and secure each corner and put additional screws along the sides, top, and bottom.
11.) Before attaching the legs, around one end off so you can loosen and fold for storage.
12.) Measure the center point and mark it from the end down. Mark a half-circle.
13.) Cut the end and sand it. Drill a hole through the center point of your board using a 3/8” bit.
14.) Hold the leg against the outside of the top part of the board and mark the center point through the leg onto the frame.
15.) Drill a hole through the frame and attach the leg to the inside using the carriage bolt. Use a wingnut so you can fold down the legs.
16.) Print a star pattern to use as a template for your stencil kit and cut out a star stencil.
17.) Paint one board red and the other blue.
18.) Tape the red board and paint the open areas white
19.) Use your stencil and paint white stars on the blue board.
Click here to find out how to play corn hole if you aren’t familiar.
Pro-tip:
If you don’t want to go through all of the effort to build these from scratch, you can always find an old game and re-purpose it. Simply sand and re-paint!
Happy Fourth of July!
However you’re celebrating Independence Day, we hope you have a safe and happy fourth of July! Do you have any games that you’d like to add to our list?
Ever since he was little Dr. J. Fred Arnold wanted to be a dentist. He has lived in Kentucky all of his life, except for three years he spent serving in the Air Force (1984-1987). He and his wife Holly have raised their family here and couldn’t imagine spending life anywhere else. They love the great schools and the emphasis on arts and culture.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.