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.
2. 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.
3. Waterballoon Volleyball!
This game is always a hit on a really hot Summer day. All you need is a net, towels, and water balloons. You play with one water balloon at a time. Everyone is paired with another player and each one takes one end of a towel. Then you try to catch the water balloon and then send it back over the net!
4. Fill the Bottle:
Needed: 4 oz paper cups, 20 oz plastic pop bottles, clean bucket, finish line, sense of humor and no fear of getting wet
Set up number of teams possibly by number of people willing to get wet. On each team, one person lays on ground while holding a 20-oz plastic pop bottle on their forehead. Teammates run to bucket to fill up their 4-oz cup then they attempt to pour it into teammates pop bottle while standing over head. Then the next teammate will do the same until 20-oz bottle is filled. Once the 20-oz bottle is filled, the bottle person should run to the finish line without spilling.
5. Hole In The Bucket
Required: One large trash can or 30 gallon tub, two receiving buckets, water source and two large coffee cansPlayers: Small to large groups
Punch several holes into the bottom and the sides of your cans using a hammer and large nail. Large juice or bean cans will work also. Do this from the outside go into the can to prevent sharp edges on the outside. Make sure there are no sharp edges around the top of can, you can do this by hammering around the inside edge while against a hard surface. You can spray paint your cans with car paint ahead of time for different colored teams. Fill up a large clean container of water at starting point. At the other end of play field have a receiving bucket the same size for each team. Divide into teams and have one person at a time from each team do relay. Each person is to go to the large container, dip their can into it, put the can on their head or carry it in front of them, go down the field to their teams receiving bucket and pour what water is left into the bucket. Once they have done this they can run back to starting point and give the next person the can to do the same. The first team to fill their receiving bucket is the winner.
6. Jump Rope Water Splash
Required: Jump rope, plastic cups, and waterPlayers: Small to large groups
Give each child a plastic or paper cup full of water. While two players twirl a large jump rope, jumpers one by one are to attempt three consecutive jumps. They are to do this while holding onto their cup of water and trying to do let any water spill. The child that has the most water left is the winner. You can keep playing until only one person has water left in their cup.
7. Over/Under Game
Required: Buckets of water, sponges, pitchersPlayers: Small to large groups
Divide the group into two teams. Have them form a single file line facing the persons head next to them. At the head of each line put a bucket of water. At the other end put a pitcher with a line drawn on it. Give a sponge to the person at the head of the line where the water bucket is. That person has to dip the sponge in the water to soak in as much water as they can. They have to then pass the soaking wet sponge over their head to the person behind who then passes the sponge to the person behind them through their legs. The sponge makes its way back over the head of one person and between the legs of the next till it gets to the person standing next to the pitcher. That person must squeeze whatever water is left into the pitcher and run the sponge back up to the head of the line. When this occurs, everybody moves back one position and the person who was at the back of the line now is at the head of the line. Continue process till the pitcher is filled to line. Fun game on hot day. (Suggested to play outdoors)
8. Water Balloon Dodgeball
Required: Water ballons, 2 plastic tubsPlayers: Small to large groups
Have at least 5 water balloons per player. Divide into 2 groups on opposite sides of a line with each side having their balloons in a plastic tub. If you are hit with a water balloon you are out (like dodgeball). Last one in wins.
9. Water Balloon Relay Race
Required: Water ballons, chairsPlayers: Small to large groups
Game of the Month 8/07
You can have as many teams as you want. Set up a chair for each team with a water balloon in the seat. Each player must run to the chair, sit on the balloon till it pops,then run and tag the next player. You will need to put a new balloon in after each one is popped. First team to pop all balloons and cross the finish line wins.
10. Alka Seltzer Game!
Items Needed:**Alka Seltzer**Netting (Fabric store- usually 89 cents a yard, You will need just a 2 inch by 2 inch square per person)**Yarn** Water GunsPrep: Take on Seltzer put it in the Netting make a sort of bag and tie with yarn. Then hang around neck of each player. Each player also gets a full water gun.Object of the game: Squirt others Seltzer and the last one to have theirs wins the game.
This is my family three years ago. The kids costumes were bought and then I made my husbands and mine. Most of the time we do themes. This year I wanted to do Winni the Pooh, but the girls decided they wanted to use costumes from years past. We have done: Peter Pan, Fairytale, Little Mermaid, The Office, Traditional Halloween, and of course the Wizard of Oz.
Most of these are for my 3 year old. It might look like too much, but I needed to just write them down and know what I expect. 
.jpg)