4 Fourth of July Party Games to Add a Unique Twist

Fourth of July party games, such as a gift exchange, will help bring loved ones closer together.

Summer, summer, summer! There’s no better time to celebrate freedom, family, friends, and fun. But how do you throw a unique party everyone will love? 

Fourth of July party games are joyful, engaging, and provide excitement whether you’re gathering online or in-person for a midsummer holiday celebration. You can even host a Secret Santa gift exchange with Fourth of July gifts as part of your patriotic tribute. Then, you’re sure to make this the best holiday yet. 

4 Fourth of July Party Games for All Ages

There are many holiday party games you can play to commemorate our nation’s independence and connect with loved ones. Here are some of our favorites:

Corn Hole or “Cone” Toss

You can play corn hole toss by setting up a corn hole board at the end of a 12-foot stretch. This is generally an outdoor game, but if you have room, you can play indoors. You can even set up online teams where families, friends, or social networks all connect via video and play against one another.

Consider asking participants to prepare an online wishlist so you can give out prizes at the event. Include a video link in your invitation if you’re connecting online.

Participants:

  • Use bean bags for tossing.
  • Line up one-by-one, taking turns tossing and landing the bag in the hole.
  • Earn 3 points for each bag that goes through the hole and one point for each bag that lands on the board.
  • The participant with the most points accumulated wins!

An alternative is a cone toss using a recreational or traffic cone and red, white, and blue hula hoops to toss around the base of the cone. Participants can line up two-by-two this way and:

  • Earn 3 points for every hoop that goes completely over a cone.
  • Gain 1 point for hoops that land around the top of a cone base.

As with corn hole toss, the person or team with the most points wins! Deliver prizes or have prizes sent ahead of the event to online participants.

Spontuneous

By using the song game, Spontuneous, you can virtually gather or join in at home to play. One person should buy the game if you’re gathering in your home. 

Here’s how to play:

  • Invite participants and include any video links.
  • Ask participants to:
    • Fill out their favorite hits (music they love) list.
    • Think of a line from the song and write that phrase down.

Join in-person or online and have everyone bring their hit lists. Start with the youngest or oldest and ask them to say a phrase from their song. The first person to burst out the tune and melody correctly for the song gets to roll the dice and move around the board.

Follow the remaining directions as you go along the playing board. The first person that crosses the finish line wins and is declared the Spontuneous champion! 

An Online Independence Day Trivia Hunt

Get your entire family, social network, and friends involved in an online scavenger hunt. Here’s how it works:

  • Invite your guests—even remote employees and coworkers. Include any video or links necessary to participate in the event.
  • Create a short but fun Independence Day trivia hunt incorporating 4th of July-themed questions.
  • Once you have RSVPs for your event, send an email with your trivia questions just before you meet.

Questions could include:

  • Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence? 
  • Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence? 
  • What newspaper was the first to print the Declaration?
  • How many times does the Liberty Bell ring every 4th of July?

At the time of your event, meet by video or live. Then, send everyone online to find the answers to your trivia questions. The first to meet back with all the right answers (as the host waits for everyone) will be the winner. 

A Kite-Building Contest

Remember when you flew your first kite? The excitement of gently launching it into the air is indescribable. With all the change in the world, it’s nice sometimes to get back to the basics. So, why not have a kite-building contest?

Whether you’re at home or joining by video, send out an invitation via an online generator. Then, gather your supplies or make the process much easier by having participants create a wish list. That way, participants can add special kite materials, or you can have participants purchase DIY kite kits online.

Meet at the set time and work on your kite design. You may or may not finish preparing your kite in one virtual or in-person session. So, meet again if you like.

When it’s time for the grand reveal, host a launch party. You’ll have a great opportunity to connect and even more fun watching your kites blaze into the clear blue sky!

A Fourth of July Gift Exchange

Sometimes you need a little extra joyful element to add to your party. So, what better opportunity to include a gift exchange with your favorite people?

Set up your gift exchange online by following the Secret Santa rules and using a Secret Santa generator:

  • Send invitations sharing details such as the date, time, RSVP information, and any other details.
  • Have participants RSVP. Then, the generator will randomly pair up participants for the gift exchange. 
  • Make wish lists using an online summer gift guide that includes all major retailers within one online location.
  • Participants can browse their giftee’s wish list and buy items in one click.
  • Meet either online or in-person to unwrap the gifts and guess who gave what.

Remember, despite the name, Secret Santa can be played year-round

A Fourth of July Party with a Twist

A midsummer party will be one of the best occasions yet, particularly when you include exciting Fourth of July party games, patriotic trivia, and, of course, the added twist of a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Before you know it, you’ll be laughing, interacting, and sharing fun and prizes. It’s the perfect way to connect with loved ones and celebrate our great country. 

If you’re looking for Fourth of July party games and ideas for all ages, Elfster is here to help! We offer a Secret Santa generator that lets you host a gift exchange year-round and start a Wish List. Plus, you can access it all from an iPhone app or Android app.

About Teresa H 14 Articles
Teresa is an adoptive mom of three kids. She’s an author of many family and children’s books and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Mass Communications from the University of Central Missouri. She has led family, community, and regional adoption events for over 15 years and now lives with her husband, kids, and pets in southern Texas. Elfster’s Secret Santa generator is Teresa’s preferred approach to gift giving as one of her favorite childhood memories is of a Secret Santa gift exchange. She believes Elfster makes everything so much easier, more accessible, and joyful year around!