Even if you’re skipping the big parades or cutting back on crowded outings this 4th of July, there’s no reason the holiday can’t be just as memorable! Whether you’re celebrating indoors or soaking up the sun outside, we’ve got festive ideas to make your Independence Day sparkle. From backyard fun to cozy indoor activities, our list of creative ways to celebrate will help you enjoy the holiday your way — no matter the setting.
1. Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
Start out by flying the American flag as you prepare your home for the national day feast. Your place will look 4th of July-ready as you add red, white and blue streamers and other festive items such as a star-spangled table runner and red- and blue-starred kitchen towels. Whether you’re eating indoors or having a backyard cookout, using 4th of July-themed dishes and cups will raise your patriotic spirits for the day. This is a great opportunity for you to reorganize your decorations and put some of them in self storage in order to make room for the new ones. Don’t forget to wear red, white and blue outfits yourself!
2. Get a Backyard Cookout Going
It’s summer now and the 4th of July wouldn’t be the same without a backyard cookout. Sure, stick to the traditional hot dogs and burgers, but why not take things up a notch and host a cooking competition with your friends? It could either be a bake off or a “best side dish” contest. Whether it’s the classic potato salad, coleslaw or some more exotic concoction, all your guests will eventually have fun with this culinary challenge.
3. Add Some Patriotic Flair to Dessert
This time of the year, make the lovely colors of the American flag adorn your desserts. Bake your favorite cupcakes, brownies and 4th of July cakes and then have the entire family join in with the decorative fun – use red, white and blue frosting and star-shaped sprinkles to make your delicious dessert look patriotic. You can even add a toothpick flag on your cupcakes, if it suits your fancy. Cool off with some homemade strawberry lemonade.
4. Craft and Lend a Helping Hand
Sure, you can have some quiet craft time with your children after all the outdoors fun. You can make red, white and blue wreaths or you can decorate flowerpots with stars and stripes. If you’re handy with a needle, you can knit hats and blankets for babies in need. Reach out to your favorite charity and find out what kind of needs they might have. You can assemble toiletry bags for shelters. Additionally, you can look into volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood – you may well turn this holiday into a time to remember.
5. Make it a Patriotic Karaoke Party
Make it a true party with a karaoke session. Find some tunes that match your patriotic mood. Bonus points if you can play the guitar and can sing-a-long. A little bit of music is always a crowd pleaser!
6. Have a Splashing Good Time in the Backyard
Now that public pools aren’t open nationwide, you can make your water fun for children in your backyard. Using sprinklers and a hose extension, you can have all the waterpark fun you’ve been missing. Make a slip-and-slide if possible, and the children are guaranteed to enjoy themselves for hours with a lot of water games to play.
7. Missing Baseball? You Don’t Have To
What better time to partake in the most quintessential American sport if not during this holiday weekend? You can take your family and some of your friends to the neighborhood park and enjoy some outdoor fun.
8. Have a Fourth of July Trivia Night
Turn the night into a fun time for the entire family with board games or even American-themed trivia. For starters, we’ve got you covered regarding famous people who came into the world on the same day our nation was born. From Barack Obama’s daughter Malia to Calvin Coolidge – the only president actually born on July 4, in 1872, and known as “Silent Cal” – the list of famous people born on America’s birthday also includes the rapper Post Malone, Bill Withers, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the famous actress Eva Marie Saint. Now we’ve got you some of the answers, you can make the most of your new 4th of July tradition!
9. Set Up Camp in Your Backyard
Get out your sleeping bags and your tent and have a good night’s sleep al fresco. You’ll have the great outdoors but also easy access to your home in case you need anything. Make it a fun evening by creating forts for playing in or by telling stories. If the weather isn’t on your side, don’t lose heart: You can move your camping fun indoors.
10. Get Patriotic With an Under-the-Stars Movie
After the sun sets, it is time to kick back and relax by watching a movie. Make use of this relaxing time outdoors by setting up a projector and an outdoor screen in order to do that. Make popcorn or even some delicious s’mores to snack on while you enjoy the movie. If you’re not quite sure what to watch, why not make it a patriotic pick? Think Hamilton – based on the famous musical – or 1776. You could also consider Forest Gump or Yankee Doodle Dandy – it doesn’t get much more American than that!
11. End the Night With a Fireworks Show
In good American tradition, end the night with a fireworks show! You can enjoy the sparkly lit-up sky from your backyard if the city you live in is hosting fireworks this year. If that isn’t the case, you can always light sparklers to make your own fun! Additionally, you might want to check the online fireworks show from Walt Disney World.
Do you have any other 4th of July traditions? Let us know in the comments section below.
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