Outdoor Games to Play at a Fourth of July Barbecue

The Fourth of July barbecue is a perfect time for outdoor games. Here are a few of my favorite Fourth of July games that have been played many times with great success:

#1. Dress Up Relay For Children
Children can be divided into two teams that are each given red, white, and blue clothing and accessories. The goal for each member of both teams is to put on the items and run to a predetermined area, take some type of action such as ringing a bell or yelling out, "I'm here", and then run back, take off the items, and tag the next person on his or her team. That person then puts on the clothing and accessories and does the same until all members of the team have participated. The team whose last member returns, takes off the items, and shouts, "I'm done" first is the winner. The winning team members get prizes. The losing team can either get nothing, or the members can get consolidation prizes for their efforts.

In this Fourth of July game, clothing can include over sized pants and shirts, although you will want to stay away from anything heavy or bulky since you do not want the children to sweat or feel uncomfortable. Accessories can include hats, long necklaces, old wristwatches, or inexpensive bracelets or play medals that can easily be put around the neck or wrist. Regardless of what items you decide to use, you will want to have plenty of red, white, and blue colors to stay with your Fourth of July game theme. Also, if the backyard is not particularly suitable for running, or it is extremely hot, you might want to try something else like simple walking or hopping along, or a combination of the two. For example, each team member might walk until he or she reaches a certain point, hop for a short, predetermined distance, and then walk again.

#2. Dress Up Relay Race For Adults
The adult version is played like the children's version except that it is usually funnier and more complex or demanding. For example, clothing could include a comical hat, red or white wig, unusual headpiece or other articles of clothing and accessories that your guests can have fun with. Create an atmosphere, too, by playing some rock 'n roll or other type of music and, rather than run or walk, have the participants dance their way to the point they need to get to and back. Additionally, you may want to give a funny, inexpensive prize to the winners and a bogus consolation prize to each of the losers. Adults and children both seem to have a really good time with this adult version of the relay game, and the more creativity is put into its preparation, the more laughs and good times people seem to experience.

#3. Find Uncle Sam
This game involves the children hunting for pictures of famous leaders that have been hidden in various parts of the backyard. The pictures or drawings may be of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and other patriots and national heroes that have been instrumental in helping to establish and develop our country. The children go on a backyard adventure to find the pictures and whoever finds Uncle Sam wins a prize. If the children experience a particularly difficult time finding the hidden objects, you and one or two other designated adults can provide clues to help them. After all of the objects have been found, you can bring the children together and have them show the pictures to everyone and identify who the famous people are. If they do not know, the other children can help. If they still do not know, the adults can help. Eventually, after all of the famous individuals have been identified, there can be a brief discussion about them as well as about Uncle Sam and the history and meaning of the Fourth of July. The child who found the picture of Uncle Sam can receive the top prize following the discussion, although you may also wish to give out other inexpensive secondary awards to the children who were able to find any, or all, of the other pictures. Furthermore, the brief, and hopefully lively, discussion before the prize or prizes are given out not only allows the children to continue to have fun with this game but also provides something educational in the process.

This Fourth of July game does not require many materials. You can use simple white paper and find pictures and illustrations of Uncle Sam as well as those of national leaders and patriots who helped make our country great. Make a copy of each, tape it to the paper, fold it, and put it somewhere in the yard before the guests arrive in a place where it will not be easily found.

Hopefully, you, your family, and your friends will enjoy the Fourth of July with good food, companionship, and games that everyone can participate in. It doesn't take a great deal of money or time to have Fourth of July games that people will enjoy, but a little creativity combined with good planning can go far in getting everyone involved in having fun.