How to Rock Independence Day This Year!

It’s almost Independence Day! Just because fireworks in your town might be cancelled because of COVID-19 doesn’t mean you can’t have a patriotic party with family or a few friends.  Have a blast on America’s birthday using these party ideas.  Just be sure you’re following your area’s social distancing guidelines.

Activities and Games

Parties with stuff to do are the most memorable.  Make your party the talk of the town by getting everyone laughing and moving around.  Don’t forget to play music during the games and activities.  Check out our “America” playlist below.

July 4^th Scavenger Hunt

Give everyone a list of holiday-appropriate things to find and set them loose in your yard.  The first person to find everything wins.  Ideas include: something red, something white, something blue, (a picture of) a hot dog, a star, a sparkler, (a picture of) a watermelon slice, a flag, or something with stripes.  Hide items ahead of time and give everyone a basket to put them in as they find them.

Red, White and Blue Balloon Games

1. Who doesn’t love a good water balloon fight on a hot day?  Fill patriotic-colored balloons with water ahead of time and see who can get drenched the most. 
2. Have everyone blow up a balloon, tie it and then sit on it.  Whoever pops his or her balloon first wins.  This is much easier said than done, which will get tons of laughs.

Costume Contest

Who will show up with the craziest, most patriotic costume?  People can wear red, white, and blue or dress up as a founding father/past president.  Let people have fun with their imaginations!  Everyone can vote on their favorite costumes and the winner can get a prize at the end of the night.

Apple-Pie Eating Contest

Apple pie represents all things America, so why not?  You could use mini pies for the contest to keep costs down and upset stomachs to a minimum.  You can also give everyone a taste of the action by serving the apple pie bites recipe below.

Baseball

Set up a good, old fashioned baseball game in your yard.  What’s more American than that?

Still want more ideas?  Other possible activities include:  Face painting, a campfire, a movie night, a jam session, or making a festive craft.

Prizes

People will get more involved in playing games if a prize is involved.  It doesn’t have to be anything huge, just enough to get everyone’s competitive juices flowing.  Check out your local dollar, grocery and discount stores for these items.

• Treats wrapped in a red or blue favor bag, tied with a white ribbon
• An apple pie
• A patriotic shirt, scarf/bandanna, mask or sunglasses
• Stars and stripes hair scrunchies, visor, flip flops, or hat

Independence Day Treats

You can serve all the classic picnic food, of course: Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, etc.  You can also buy some red, white, and blue candies and place them in dishes around the tables.  Here are some additional goodies to add a little more pizazz to your party menu!

Patriotic Platter

Create an American flag by using blueberries, strawberries and white chocolate covered pretzels.  You can also substitute white cheese cubes for the pretzels and raspberries or watermelon for the strawberries.

Apple Pie Bites

People won’t be able to resist this little dessert.  You can buy the caramel sauce instead of making it, and omit the pecans if anyone has nut allergies.  Recipe courtesy of Magnolia Journal.

S’mores Dip

What do you get with 4 sheets of Hershey's chocolate, 19 marshmallows, 1 cup of red, white, and blue sanding sugar, and graham crackers, for serving?  This impressive and delicious s’mores dip!  Check out the full recipe and a how-to video on the Delish website.

Ambiance

Lastly, don’t forget to add splashes of patriotic color to your surroundings with decorations like balloons, hanging stars, mini flags placed in small pails or jars, and whatever color-appropriate décor you can find. Place sparklers around for people to light up when it gets dark. Also check out Kidzworld’s list of 4^th of July party songs to add to your playlist for the day:

1. "Party in the USA" - Miley Cyrus
2. "America the Beautiful' - Ray Charles
3. "God Bless the USA" - Lee Greenwood
4. "American Woman" - Guess Who/Lenny Kravitz
5. "Made In America" - Jay-Z & Kanye West
6. "American Pie" - Don McLean
7. "Born in the USA" - Bruce Springsteen
8. "Ain’t That America" - John Mellencamp
9.  "R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A." - John Mellencamp
10. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" - Toby Kieth
11. "Made in the USA" - Demi Lovato
12. "American Teen" - Khalid
13. "Firework" - Katy Perry
14. "Back in the U.S.A" - Chuck Berry
15. "American Girl" - Tom Petty
16. "Living in America" - James Brown
17. "America" - Simon and Garfunkel
18. "American Saturday Night" - Brad Paisley

Share With Kidzworld

What are your 4^th of July plans?  Do you have any party ideas to add?  Tell Kidzworld below!