Tiffany Larsen| 27 Jun, 2022

The smell of barbeques… Ahhh, can you taste it? Gathering in the summer months and catching up with friends and family is an American pastime. Make sure your little ones are just as engaged this 4th of July. From tasty food recommendations to entertaining crafts and games, we’ve got you covered this holiday.

We even threw in some cute outfit ideas, so your child can shine as bright as the red, white, and blue fireworks this year!

How do you make 4th of July fun for kids?

Keep plans flexible

No stuffy car rides this year! Keeping holiday plans somewhat open-ended is a low-pressure way to keep things fun and lighthearted. Grab your little ones and pick from our list of 4th of July crafts and games for kids that will make this holiday one to remember!

Craft!

Patriotic Windsock is an engaging craft your kids will love. You also don't need much for it. Any old red, white, and blue fabric with scraps of ribbon will do just fine. Wrap the pieces around a 6" Embroidery Hoop, and voila! With these simple materials, your kids will have a fun 4th of July, and you'll have a special flag hanging by your door.

Fourth of July Bracelets 

Kids love to get busy making their own stuff. These patriotic-themed bracelets help your child practice their fine motor skills, too! Grab some plastic pony beads and string together the fun with your child this 4th of July.

Watercolor American Flag

What a spectacular stars and stripes flag! Gather some paper, tape, a spray bottle, stickers, and red and blue watercolor paint. When you have all your materials ready, adults can help create an outline of the flag with a stencil and let the kids splatter on the fun!

Kid friendly food

Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are the unofficial Fourth of July snack. It wouldn't be summer without kids and hot dogs!

Fries

French fries are a kid's salty go-to. The tasty flavor triggers feel-good memories and should be washed down with your favorite kid-friendly beverage!

Hamburgers

Both kids and adults love the smell of barbeque. Fire up the grill this holiday; these tasty entrées are a simple clean-up.

What games are played on the 4th of July?

4th of July Scavenger Hunt

How to play

We love this 4th of July game for kids! Gather the family & friends on this one and set out on a patriotic scavenger hunt. Perfect for a backyard or neighborhood, you can hide USA-themed items like mini flags or anything red, white, and blue for a fun-filled day with the whole family.

Flag hunt!

How to play

This is a much simpler version of a 4th of July Scavenger Hunt. Hide a dozen or more small American flags around the backyard and send the kids off for fun and finders keepers!

Water balloon fight!

How to play

Gather the kids for a fun-filled day of splashes in the hot summer sun. 

Fill your backyard or any large area with water balloons (we recommend each person has 25 each at minimum) and place water guns in the middle of your battlefield. 

Ensure that there are small buckets of water at different locations so players can fill their balloons as they run out of water.

Capture the flag!

How to play

Divide players into two even teams, each having a patriotic flag placed at "home base." Your kid will absolutely love trying to sneak the other team's flag back to their home base without getting caught!

"Jail" can be created with a soccer or lacrosse net, so entering enemy territory and getting tagged means you're in jail until a teammate bails you out. The whole family will be tuckered out by the end of this game!

Corn hole

How to play

Divide the players into groups and compete to toss the most bags in the hole. The first team or player to reach 21 points exactly is the winner of the game. If you go over, you go back down to 13 points and proceed as usual.

This 4th of July game for kids is fun and will keep them occupied for hours!

What to wear on the 4th of July