Celebrate Canada Day with games and activities that are fun for the whole family. This list of ideas will help you plan ahead, or be prepared for spontaneous events.
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Make this year’s national holiday celebration the best one ever. Celebrate with food, music, sports, and special events.
I’ve put together a list of activities the whole family can enjoy. These options are meant to be hands-on fun with easy setup and cleanup. Ideas are included for both indoor and outdoor play.
While the theme of this post is Canada Day, the activities can easily be adapted to any region or country by using your own national symbols in place of the ones shown in this post.
Whether you get together in large groups or small, enjoy family fun with these Canada Day themed activities.
Canada Day family activities
The activities in this post can easily be included in everyday play, and can be altered or expanded on to suit ages, interest and skill levels of kids.
Games and activities don’t have to be formal or require a lot of rules or special equipment. The important thing is to enjoy celebrating with family, friends and neighbors.
Ideas are organized by category: Outdoor Play; Indoor Games; Crafts; Community Events; Food and Drink.
Outdoor Play
Keep games simple – short on rules and long on participation!
1. Scavenger Hunt
Search for small Canada flags placed around the yard or inside the house.
2. Backyard Games
Top Backyard Activities for Outdoor Play
Play games with balls or other toys decorated with national or regional symbols. More formal games can include badminton, croquet and horse shoes.
3. Flag Parade
Wave small flags as you march around the yard.
Attach flags to wagons and tricycles.
Dress in clothing to represent the holiday, such as t-shirts printed with the national symbol.
4. Picnic in the Park
Pack a basket with all your favorite snacks. Spread a blanket on the lawn in the back yard, enjoy a concert in the park, or a swim at the beach or pool.
5. Kite Flying
Head to a field or safe area to fly a kite with a Canadian design. Make your own kite to add to the fun.
Indoor Games
Look for game options with Canadian designs such as a pack of cards decorated with the ‘maple leaf’.
Decorate other game pieces and props with the colors and symbols of the national flag.
6. Board games
9. Bowling
Crafts
Plan arts and crafts activities for rainy days, or to get in out of the midday sun, or for a change of pace in the midst of hectic activities.
10. Noisemakers
11. Decorations
12. Fireworks Art
Public Events
Browse recreation calendars and tourist brochures to pinpoint activities in your area.
13. Sports event
14. Street parade
15. Fireworks display
16. Outdoor movie
17. Barbecue or ice cream social in the park
Food and Drink
Extend the festive atmosphere with special snacks and table settings.
18. Choose foods in the colors of the flag. Since the Canada flag is red and white, we chose strawberries, apple slices, cherry tomatoes, and a raspberry flavored drink. Vanilla ice cream with raspberry topping would be delicious too!
19. Serve local foods and seasonal foods that highlight the season.
20. Purchase themed napkins, paper plates, and paper cups from a dollar store.
Canada Day family celebrations
Strike up a singsong for more family fun. Grab an instrument and join the singing, maybe even form a marching band indoors on a rainy afternoon.
Enjoy Canada Day with family and friends! Print this handy check-list for family friendly ideas to celebrate Canada Day!
Canada Day List of Family Activities
With a little preparation – and being prepared for the unexpected as well as the expected! – you can have the best holiday ever.
Canada Day on Pinterest