Are you hosting a celebration during the final days of summer and searching for a fun way to enjoy the Labor Day weekend? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got you covered with the best Labor Day party games and activities for the last big holiday of the summer. Keep reading for the best way to enjoy the last hurrah of the summer season with a backyard bash full of fun.
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As Labor Day approaches, you might be ready to celebrate the end of summer with your closest friends and family.
Hosting Labor Day parties is a great way to commemorate the hard work and dedication of American workers while enjoying the company of loved ones on a warm summer day – all while enjoying some fun games and activities together.
Whether you are planning a small gathering or a larger event, there are plenty of creative and fun game ideas to make your Labor Day celebration a memorable one.
To help you plan an extra special summer party outdoor event for Labor Day, we will cover a variety of fun party game ideas to create a good time during this popular weekend for family and friends to enjoy some warm weather.
From entertaining lawn games and activities to awesome prizes for the winners of the party games to red, white, and blue party activities, we will provide you with all the Labor Day party game ideas you need to throw the ultimate long weekend bash.
So, get ready to kick back, relax, and spend some quality time enjoying the last chance for hot weather summer fun and celebration with these Labor Day party games.
1. Enjoy Fun Pool Party Games During Your Labor Day
For your end of summer celebration, why not make a splash with an unforgettable pool party filled with festive games and activities?
Transform your backyard oasis into a patriotic paradise by decorating the pool area with red, white, and blue floaties, balloons, and themed decorations.
Keep your guests entertained with classic pool games such as:
Marco Polo: A classic pool game where one player closes their eyes and tries to tag other players by calling out “Marco” while they respond with “Polo” without leaving the pool.
Water Volleyball: Set up a net across the pool and divide players into teams for a fun game of volleyball with a splashy twist.
Water Obstacle Course: Create a water obstacle course where guests can race against each other or simply navigate the course for fun.
Water Basketball: Install a floating basketball hoop in the pool and have guests shoot hoops while treading water or from the pool deck.
Mermaid Races: Encourage guests to swim like mermaids or mermen from one end of the pool to the other, using their best underwater swimming techniques.
Splash Tag: A variation of tag where the person who is “it” tries to tag other players by splashing them with water.
Inflatable Bull Riding Contest: Set up an inflatable bull or animal float in the pool and see who can stay on the longest.
Underwater Treasure Hunt: Toss coins or small toys into the pool and have guests dive to collect them. The person who retrieves the most treasures wins a prize.
Whether you’re diving for treasures, participating in an obstacle course contest, or playing water volleyball, a pool party filled with Labor Day fun games will keep everyone entertained and create lasting memories.
2. Feature Patriotic Lawn Games During the Labor Day Weekend Celebration
Celebrate the spirit of patriotism and add a touch of friendly competition to your Labor Day party by featuring a selection of patriotic lawn games.
These great activity games not only provide entertainment but also create some friendly competition among your guests.
Here is a list of some fun lawn games to set up at your Labor Day celebration:
Giant Jenga: Stack oversized wooden blocks and take turns removing one block at a time without toppling the tower.
Ladder Toss: Players throw bolas (two balls connected by a string) at a ladder-shaped target, aiming to wrap them around the rungs for points.
Kan Jam: Teams take turns throwing a frisbee at a can while their partner tries to deflect or slam the frisbee into the can.
Giant Four in a Row: A supersized version of the classic game where players take turns dropping colored disks into a vertical frame, aiming to get four in a row.
Ring Toss: Set up bottles or pegs of varying heights and have players toss rings to try to land them around the objects for points.
Giant Twister: Create a DIY version of Twister using spray paint to make colorful circles on your lawn. Guests will have a blast trying to contort themselves to match the calls.
Capture the Flag: Divide guests into two teams and set up territories with flags. The objective is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your territory without being tagged.
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe: Draw a large tic-tac-toe grid on a tarp or use rope on the lawn. Provide large X and O pieces for players to place as they try to get three in a row.
Horseshoes: Set up stakes in the ground and have players take turns tossing horseshoes, aiming to land them around the stake for points.
Bubble Soccer: Rent or purchase inflatable bubble suits for guests to wear while playing a game of soccer. The bubbles add an extra layer of fun and hilarity to the game.
Glow-in-the-Dark Lawn Games: As the sun sets, switch to glow-in-the-dark versions of games like ring toss, frisbee, or lawn bowling by adding glow sticks to the equipment.
Balloon Dart Board: Inflate different colors of balloons like red, white, and blue balloons, and attach them to a corkboard or wooden backdrop. Players take turns throwing darts to pop the balloons and earn points.
Hula Hoop Ring Toss: Set up a series of stakes or poles at varying distances in your yard. Each stake has a different point value. Players take turns tossing hula hoops, aiming to land them around the stakes. The closer they get to the target stake, the more points they earn. It’s a fun twist on the classic ring toss game, adding the challenge of using hula hoops as the rings.
These classic lawn games are a great idea to create a festive holiday vibe and encourage guests to engage in friendly competition – while enjoying the end of summer.
3. Host a Fun-Filled Patriotic Limbo Contest at the Labor Day Celebration
A limbo contest adds an element of lighthearted fun to your backyard holiday party, inviting guests to test their flexibility and balance.
Set up a limbo stick low to the ground and cue up some upbeat music to set the mood.
Participants take turns bending backward and shimmying under the stick without touching it or falling over.
As the limbo bar gradually lowers with each successful pass, the challenge intensifies, eliciting cheers and laughter from party guests.
4. Include a DIY Photo Booth at the Labor Day Party
Setting up a DIY photo booth is a delightful way to capture memories and add a touch of fun to your end of summer celebration.
Create a designated area with a backdrop featuring patriotic colors, stars, and stripes, or other festive decorations.
Gather an assortment of props such as star shapes on sunglasses, hats, boas, fireworks display themed accessories, and American flag necklaces.
Encourage guests to strike poses, laugh, and have fun while taking snapshots with friends and family.
Provide a selfie ring light with a stand for easy self-service photography, or designate a friend to act as the photographer.
Grab a photo printer so guests can print out and hang their selfies for everyone to see.
Have party guests vote on who wins for the most fun and creative picture.
5. Set Up a Board Game Station for the Party Guests to Enjoy During the Labor Day Party
Setting out board games during your end-of-summer party offers a cozy and engaging option for guests seeking a break from outdoor backyard activities or looking for some friendly competition.
Arrange a selection of games on a table or blanket in a shaded area, inviting guests to gather around and enjoy some classic board game fun.
Choose games that cater to a variety of interests and age groups, from classic favorites like Monopoly or Sorry to other party games like The Floor is Lava.
The familiar click of dice, the strategic placement of tiles, and the burst of laughter from a successful play create a great holiday atmosphere.
6. Set Up the Karaoke Machine with Some Great Music at Your End of Summer Party
As you plan your Labor Day celebration, be sure to add a karaoke machine ready to go with lots of party songs.
Get your guests on stage to showcase their singing talents while embracing the day that is full of fun.
For a great idea, prepare a playlist of popular songs, and host a competition where everyone votes for their favorite singer.
7. Have a Jelly Bean Counting Contest at Your Labor Day Party
Test every guest and their math skills with a jelly bean counting contest at your celebration.
This activity is a sweet and fun game idea that will have guests of all ages eagerly participating.
Simply fill a large jar with colorful jelly beans or red, white, and blue candies and place it prominently on display on a picnic table or party table with a sign inviting guests to guess the correct answer to the number of jelly beans inside.
Grab a printable guessing game ballot on Etsy and pens for guests to write down their guesses throughout the party.
Near the end of the party, announce the winner who guessed the correct number or came closest to it.
This classic party game idea adds an element of friendly competition and fun to your Labor Day weekend, creating memorable moments for everyone involved.
8. Play Some Fun Labor Day Games like a Patriotic Scavenger Hunt
A popular party celebration game idea is to set up a fun and festive patriotic scavenger hunt.
A standard scavenger hunt is one of the fun traditional games to offer, but for this party – add a fun twist!
Be sure to add some fun holiday items to find, such as red, white, and blue American Flag decor or patriotic ideas and symbols like Uncle Sam or the Statue of Liberty.
Whether you choose to organize your scavenger hunt into groups of team members or just have a solo event, set up different things all around your backyard, or even throughout your neighborhood, for a fantastic way to keep guests entertained and create lasting memories during your Labor Day party.
Grab a cheap printable patriotic scavenger hunt on Etsy for an easy game idea.
9. Host a Friendly Competition Potato Sack Race for a Perfect Labor Day Game Idea
Keep the fun going at your Labor Day party, with a fun-filled potato sack race.
This nostalgic and fun activity is sure to entertain guests of all ages and have everyone smiling.
Divide participants into teams and provide each team with a burlap sack for them to step in.
Mark out a clear starting point for the first person/first player and finish line, and let the race begin.
The objective is for each participant to hop forward in their sack, with the first team to have all members cross the finish line declared the winners.
10. Grab Bean Bags and a Stars and Stripes Cornhole Set for Fun Games at the Labor Day Party
An easy way to get everyone in a party mood is to set up some bean bags and a stars and stripes cornhole set at your end of summer party.
Cornhole, a beloved American pastime, involves tossing bean bags toward strategically placed holes on a wooden board.
By providing a stars and stripes-themed cornhole set, complete with bean bags, you can create a fun and festive set of outdoor games that are a blast for your guests.
11. Feature a Labor Day Printable Game for Fun Party Activity Ideas
In addition to traditional party games and activities, one of the fun things to hand out is Labor Day printable party games.
These fun games are a great way to engage guests and keep the party going.
There are tons of great printable trivia games and activities on Etsy that include game instructions and all the information for a great holiday celebration game experience.
12. Grab Water Balloons for a Labor Day Weekend Game of Water Balloon Toss to Beat the End of Summer Heat
With the summer heat still going strong, it’s important to find enjoyable ways to stay cool during your Labor Day celebration.
One simple game to include in your party is the classic water balloon toss game.
For a great game of water fun, grab a pack of water balloons and gather your friends and family for some friendly competition.
The goal of these backyard games is simple – toss the water balloon back and forth without it breaking.
The simple idea of a wet and fun game is not only fun but the best part is that it’s a great way to beat the heat while having fun at your Labor Day party.
13. Host a DIY Backyard Olympics for a Fun Labor Day Party Game Idea
Another fun holiday game idea is to host a backyard Olympics event to add an exciting twist to your end-of-summer celebration.
This festive and energetic group game allows guests to participate in friendly competitions while celebrating time together.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, decorate the Olympic stations with patriotic colors and symbols.
Here are a few backyard Olympic game ideas for your party:
Obstacle Course: Design a challenging obstacle course using items like cones, tires, ropes, and tunnels. Time guests as they navigate through the course for medals.
Three-Legged Race: Guests pair up and tie one leg to their partner’s leg. The pairs then race to the finish line.
Egg and Spoon Race: Participants balance an egg on a spoon while racing to the finish line without dropping it.
Tug of War: Divide guests into two teams and see which team can pull the other across a designated line first.
Basketball Shooting Contest: Set up a basketball hoop and see who can sink the most shots in a timed competition.
Mini Golf Tournament: Create a backyard mini-golf course with obstacles and see who can complete it with the fewest strokes.
Target Archery: Set up a target and provide toy bows and suction cup arrows for guests to practice their archery skills.
Disc Golf Course: Create a DIY disc golf course in your backyard using designated targets and see who can complete it in the fewest throws.
Bocce Ball Tournament: Set up a bocce ball court and organize a friendly tournament to see who has the best aim and strategy.
Long Jump: Mark a starting line and see who can jump the farthest from a standing position.
Final thoughts
Labor Day provides an opportunity to relax and take advantage of the weather while having a little fun with friends and family before the end of summer season.
Whether you host a fun backyard barbecue with tons of party games or host a themed Labor Day party with fun activities, we hope it’s a great event for everyone from little kids to older kids to adults to senior citizens.
With a touch of creativity and planning, your Labor Day gathering can be a great event while enjoying the unofficial end of summer filled with tons of fun games and activities for all.
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Your turn
Are you hosting a party during the long end of summer holiday weekend? Which of these Labor Day party games and activities are your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
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I love all these fun, creative ideas! Giant twister sounds like a blast and I love the idea of a board game station.
Wow! So many great ideas for summer parties and bbqs! Love all the decorations and games! Saved a bunch, thanks!
Wow, it is a giant list of fun activities for Laber Day! Definitely we will buy giant Jenga and Twister! Thank you for sharing.
My grandkids would love all of the labor day party games you’ve suggested! I’ll have to start collecting a few of them ahead of time. Great post!
Such fun ideas! I would love to have a Photo Booth and karaoke at a party. Thanks for sharing!
So many great ideas!