With 4th of July just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share a DIY, new edition of the all time favorite outdoor game, tin can tossing. This game will be the perfect pastime for young and old and shouldn't be missing on any July 4th barbecue or picnic.

tin can table2

Most of the supplies are probably already lying around your home. Here is what you'll need: red, blue and white paper, a star puncher, glue, sticky tape, scissors and of course tin cans (at least 6).

tin can make materials

For the flag-like tin can design, you'll need to cut  the red paper to the size of the tin can. It doesn't matter if the sheet is not long enough to coat the whole tin can, the rest can be covered with a blue rectangle. Cut out three stripes from the white paper.

tin can make

Cutting out the stars is an easy task if you have a star puncher. I got mine in a craft store but there are some available on amazon as well.

tin can make stars

The girls loved pressing the perfectly even stars out of the paper.

tin can make stars4

It's just like making confetti.

tin can make stars_Collage

Then, we added the three stripes to the tin can with the help of some glue.

tin can make2  Add the blue rectangle with some sticky tape and you are nearly finished.

tin can make3

All that's left to do is sticking the stars to the cans

tin can glue stars_Collage

This is what the flag design looks like when it's finished.

tin can make result

We also prepared two other designs.

tin can table

Then it was time to go outside and play a round of tin can tossing. We stacked the tin cans ...

tin can table2

... took a ball and opened fire.

tin can throw_Collage

For younger ones, it's best to simply count the fallen tin cans. For older players, you could count the fallen stars on the tin cans.

If you want to include this outdoor game on your next barbecue but are not the crafty type, here is a set that has the points directly on the cans.

tin can tossing

Happy 4th of July!