30 Fun Things to Do This 4th of July Weekend
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Who’s ready for the best holiday of summer? The 4th of July, aka Independence Day, is right around the corner, which means it's time to start planning how you want to celebrate. Luckily, there’s no shortage of super-fun 4th of July activities and things to do to help you show off your patriotic spirit.
You could go the classic route and celebrate with tried-and-true 4th of July traditions, such as a blowout 4th of July cookout, complete with appetizers, salads, drinks, desserts, and homespun patriotic decorations, and then cap the evening off by watching a fabulous fireworks show near you. More in a playful mood? Try some 4th of July games, such as a water balloon toss or watermelon bowling. If you’re ready to get away from it all, our favorite places to go for the holiday include some of the most charming small towns dotting this country from coast to coast. Or, you can take it easy. Hang a flag, run through a sprinkler with the kids, and brush up on some 4th of July facts (did you know that our cheeky American ancestors celebrated the first Independence Day in 1776 with mock funerals for King George III?).
So there’s no need to feel beholden to the same old same this year! Plan a long holiday weekend filled with new (to you) old-fashioned 4th of July celebration ideas that the whole gang is guaranteed to love. Let the festivities begin!
Top 4th of July Activities
Curate a Patriotic Playlist
Set the mood from the moment you wake up by queuing up a batch of patriotic songs. (P.S. For a little more twang, try our list of the most patriotic country songs.)
Win a Water Balloon Toss
To throw, cup your balloon and toss underhanded. As you and your partner space further apart, increase the height of the balloon's arc and aim for it to peak halfway along its journey. To catch, position yourself directly underneath the balloon in an athletic stance and use two hands or the crooks of your elbows to cradle the balloon into your lap with a soft swoop.
RELATED: 36 DIY Outdoor Games for Kids and Adults
Try Square Dancing
This classic American dance form is just as fun in the backyard as it is at a town hall.
Savor Summer Tomatoes
America's most popular summer produce can be the star of your 4th of July cookout with one of these wonderful tomato recipes.
Make Your Own Ice Cream
Always wanted to make your own ice cream? Now's the time! And lucky for you, we've got easy ice cream recipes in every flavor.
Plan a Game Night
After the burgers have been eaten and the fireworks display is done, settle in for the evening with a fun game the whole family can play. (Rummy, anyone?)
Hang a Flag
And teach the kids about American flag etiquette in the process, including the proper way to fold it when you take it down.
Watermelon Bowling
Make the quintessential summer fruit part of your 4th of the July festivities with a friendly backyard game of watermelon bowling. (We recommend these refreshing watermelon recipes too!)
RELATED: 37 DIY Outdoor Games for Family Fun
Cut Flowers for the Table
Head out to the garden in the morning when it's cool and snip blooms for your 4th of July table. Bonus points if you have blue hydrangeas to complement a patriotic color scheme!
Craft a Patriotic Wreath
Create this easy and festive DIY decoration with red, white, and blue cardstock.
Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.
RELATED: 25 Patriotic Wreaths to Make for 4th of July
Make a Water Park at Home
Break out the sprinklers and the garden hose to create a water park in your very own backyard. You can also create a simple obstacle course, which will keep kids entertained (and cool!) for hours.
RELATED: 5 Best Lawn Sprinklers for Every Size Yard
Take a Hike
Hit the local nature trails, or—with 4th of July falling on a long weekend this year—make a day trip out of it. See our definitive guide to the 50 best U.S. hikes including one in your state.
Go Camping in Your Backyard
Can't make it to a real campsite this year? Try a little backyard tent camping instead. Once your cookout's died down, watch fireworks from the comfort of sleeping bags and cap off the night with some (not super scary) ghost stories before sleeping under the stars.
Watch a Patriotic Movie Outside
Weather permitting, set up an outdoor movie theater and cozy seating on your lawn, then sit back and relax with some of the best 4th of July flicks. Of course, if it rains, you can easily move the festivities, popcorn and all, into the family room.
Create a Care Package for Our Service Men and Women
Set aside time during Independence Day weekend to create a care package to send to members of the military. UPS offers free kits and you can see a list of things to include via organizations like Soldier's Angels.
Plan a Soda Float Social
Country Living contributor Lauren Akins helped dream up this genius summer idea, which is perfect for fending off the July heat and keeping your crew refreshed. Channel the 4th of July from decades past with glass soda bottles and a vintage-inspired bar cart.
Take a Family Bike Ride
Your family can have your very own parade by decorating your bikes with flags, streamers, and ribbons, and setting off together for a few casual laps around the block. The ride will help everyone work up an appetite before the celebratory barbecue.
Make an Unforgettable Dinner
It's America's birthday, which calls for a special meal to celebrate. Whip up an incredible multi-course dinner for your family that both kids and adults will enjoy.
RELATED: 4th of July Menus to Please Every Palate
Host a Sing-Along
Break out kid-friendly musical instruments like kazoos and tambourines and host a family sing-along of 4th of July tunes like "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful" around the campfire.
Play Patriotic Games
Spark some fun family competition with Independence Day-inspired games, like stars-and-stripes tic-tac-toe or a red, white, and blue-themed water balloon toss. Should the weather not pan out, you can also keep kids entertained inside with a round of Go Fish—from a patriotic card deck, of course.
Dine Al Fresco
This year, make use of your grill or outdoor kitchen and plan a holiday meal while enjoying your most clever back patio decorating ideas.
Create 4th of July Cocktails
Mix up some patriotic-themed cocktails and toast the good old U.S.A.
RELATED: 4th of July Drinks That Your Party Absolutely Needs
Go for a Family Picnic
Grab your picnic basket and head for the backyard. This is the best time of year to enjoy a simple alfresco meal with your family. (Hey, maybe you can even convince your kids to leave their cell phones inside!)
RELATED: Delightful Picnic Food Ideas to Make All Summer Long
Watch the Fireworks
Whether you're catching a local fireworks display near you or making a special trip to see one of the best fireworks shows in the country, this 4th of July activity is timeless. Staying in? You can always stock up on sparklers and have your own patriotic light show in the backyard.
Throw a Family Pool Party
Gather the kids and cool down in the water on the hot summer day. If you don't have a pool, get out the sprinkler. Or if you're feeling especially ambitious, you can look into stock tank pools.
RELATED: 18 Best Swimming Pool Games to Play This Summer
Make a Red, White, and Blue Treat
Show your patriotic spirit by whipping up some tasty stars and stripes-themed desserts. Bonus: Frosting is a fun way to get your kids in the kitchen.
RELATED: Easy 4th of July Desserts
Play Ball
Break out the mitts, find a ball, and batter up! It's time for your homage to America's favorite past-time with your own family ball game. You can even get personalized jerseys or hats made.
Make DIY Decorations Together
Decorate your entire home (inside and out) with DIY red, white, and blue decorations. Get the whole family to pitch in and make their own statement pieces.
RELATED: 4th of July Crafts to Get in the Holiday Spirit
Host a Barbecue
Gather the kids together and make a plan to create the ultimate backyard barbecue. Get decked out in red, white, and blue, and make patriotic dishes that you can enjoy all day long.
RELATED: Our Favorite Grilling Recipes for Backyard Barbecues and Beyond
Enjoy S'mores Around a Campfire
Head for the backyard fire pit armed with all kinds of fixings you can use to enhance your ingenious s'mores recipes. Sit around the fire and enjoy the chocolatey goo!
RELATED: Easy Camping Recipes for Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors
You Might Also Like
