When you think of summer, you may imagine long, warm days and lazy afternoons by a pool. But summer isn’t really summering without the 4th of July celebration. This holiday offers another reason to get together with loved ones and spend more time together. From backyard barbecues, grilled hot dogs to colorful fireworks display across the evening sky.
Whether you are planning a simple, low-key gathering with friends or an all-out celebration with the family, we’ve got a list of fun and exciting activities that will make this year’s Independence Day truly memorable.
Grab your grilled hamburgers and celebrate the long weekend with a blast.
1. Bake yummy treats with your family. Gather everyone in the kitchen and share the joy of baking and decorating delicious cookies or any pastry of your liking. Once it is done baking and it cools down, let them have a hand in decorating each piece. So make sure to prepare the red, white, and blue (or any color, of course) sprinkles and icing ahead of time.
2. Attend local live music events wearing your best USA themed outfit. Look out for any announcements in your area for music events this 4th of July. Wear your best-curated outfit from your closet, rock those high-cut shoes, and enjoy the music all night long.
3. Host a movie night outside. It’s time to bring out the movie projector and set up some cozy chairs with throw pillows. Add in some fairy lights to create the most relaxing atmosphere. Bring out the snacks like popcorn, nachos, and beer. And choose to watch any classic American films this time.
4. Host a barbecue party in the backyard. Perhaps the most perfect and classic way to celebrate 4th of July is to have a backyard BBQ party. Fire up the grill and add in the hot dogs, homemade burgers, and maybe grill some corn. Invite friends and family over, set up the table nicely with flowers, and serve yummy side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans.
5. Or try backyard pizza party. If you want to spice things up this year’s Independence Day, why not try cooking pizza using an outdoor pizza oven? You can batch-make the dough ahead of time. Set up the tomato sauce, cheese, or any toppings on the table, and let everyone in your family create their own pizza. It’s more fun than ordering pizza outside for this special occasion.
6. Organize a friendly sports competition. For the young ones in the family, you can do games that incorporate active movements like running through obstacles course, indoor basketball, or even a three-legged race. And for older folks, you can try a fun game of wits like Cards Against Humanity or Jeopardy.
7. Gather around a bonfire and pretend you’re camping. If you can’t go out of town and be in a real camping spot, perhaps you can pretend you’re in one by setting up a bonfire pit in your backyard. Bring out the marshmallows, chocolate, and Graham crackers for some s’mores. Make the gathering more fun by sharing fun stories and singing campfire songs.
8. Set up karaoke and let everyone take turns singing. If your family is into singing, host a karaoke singing competition while everyone is into their dessert. Everyone can take turns singing. Make sure to take note of the score, and whoever wins gets a special prize.
9. Create a fun photo booth. Designate an area in your living room where anyone can take silly pictures. It can be a simple design, with balloons and flowers around. Add in fun props like hats, glasses, and flags, as well as other fun items. Set up a camera or just use a good ol’ phone with a timer.
10. Try offline activities like board games. Time to bring out the board games from our childhood and spend the evening offline. Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Snakes & Ladders are sure to be hits. I can say that sometimes the best fun is offline.
11. Plan a potluck party with your neighbors or extended family. It’s a great way to enjoy diverse and delicious family recipes other than yours. You also get lovely stories behind each dish. Set up the table buffet-style so everyone can help themselves.
12. Give back to the community. Find a local veterans’ organization in your town. Whether it’s through a monetary donation, a care package, or volunteering your time, take a moment to honor the service members. It’s a small gesture of kindness that can make a big difference in this holiday celebration.
13. Hike around the national park. There are many beautiful national parks around the country. This is the time to finally tick off one item on your bucket list.
14. Nail art party with friends. If you’re going to a party and you’re worried your nails are still not done, why not make a nail art theme party with your friends? Gather all your nail polish collections and paint some festive nail art yourself. I think it’s a fun way to spend the day with your girl friends. Try out different patterns like stars, stripes, or glitter to match the occasion.
15. Go swimming. What better way to truly feel relaxed and well rested from the hustle of work life than to take a dip in the water? Go to the beach, a nearby lake, or a local pool. Just cool off by playing water games and enjoying some much-needed sun.
16. Enjoy your dinner al fresco. Set up a table outside and enjoy the summer weather. Whether it’s in your own backyard or a park, enjoy your dinner with family or friends with tea lights and delicious homemade dishes.
17. Organize a funny-themed costume party. Invite everyone to dress in their most creative and funny costumes. The one where you can get a good belly laugh when you see them. Have their picture taken when they arrive at the front door, and have a small contest to see who’s the funniest.
18. Challenge everyone with a trivia game competition. If everyone is on the couch now after stuffing themselves up with yummy foods, why not try a fun trivia competition? Challenge everyone’s knowledge with questions about American history, fun facts, or even pop culture quizzes. See who can answer the most questions correctly. And there should be a light punishment for the losers, like getting to clean up or being the one who takes the trash out.
19 . Don’t miss out on the fireworks display. Of course, the celebration isn’t complete without everyone heading outside to watch a colorful fireworks display. You can also buy some sparklers and run around like you are a kid again.
20. Family talent show. Organize a fun talent show by asking everyone in your family if they want to show their own quirky talent in front of the whole family and guests. Give them a few minutes to prepare. Maybe wear a costume or create some props. Encourage even the shy ones in the family. Make a video of the entire show to add to your family’s video archive. To add to the fun and excitement, make sure you have a prize ready for the winner.
21. Fly kites on an open park. Take advantage of the good summer breeze and bring out your kite to fly. Nothing says nostalgia like flying your colorful kite in the beautiful summer sky while getting some fresh air. It feels like being a kid again.
22. Go fishing. If a more relaxing and peaceful way is your style, you can go fishing in a nearby lake. Pack your fishing gear, snacks, and drinks. It doesn’t matter if you catch anything or not; fishing can be a good way to unwind, spend time contemplating nature, and just enjoy slow-paced hours.
23. Make a Do-it-yourself ice cream bar. Set up a dessert table with different flavors of ice cream and toppings like sprinkles, chocolates, and mini marshmallows. Let everyone make their own ice cream masterpiece to enjoy for dessert.
24. Cook your family’s traditional recipe. Whether it’s a special stew or a homemade pie that only your family cooks, I think cooking it every year on this special occasion can keep the stories and memories alive for generations. Ask grandma for recipes or your mom to tell you the secret sauce so that the next generation can still enjoy the recipes for so long.
25. Make tie-dye shirts for everyone in the family. All you need are white t-shirts, different fabric dyes, and rubber bands. It’s a fun process that even little ones can do. And the results are always exciting to see. You can wear it all year and brag about how you helped create it.
26. Check out the local festival. A good way to enjoy some live music, try out foods from different stalls, and so much more entertainment options.
27. Visit a historical landmark. You can learn so much about the country’s history by visiting some of its iconic landmarks. It doesn’t have to be from other states. Choose to visit a site in your own state and explore and appreciate its past history and culture.
28. Get creative with crafts. Lay out on a table some craft materials, colorful papers, glue, and scissors, and encourage everyone to get creative. Create anything from flags, banners, or even different handmade accessories. This is a great way to make kids and adults get creative and be occupied.
29. Rent a boat or go packrafting. If you’re on the adventurous side and you want to try water adventures, you can rent a boat and spend some time paddling and rowing with your friends. Or if you don’t want to rent a boat but still want the thrill of the water, try packrafting instead; it’s more portable and lighter, and you can use it all year.
30. Go car camping. Book a camping spot and go camping out of your own car. Seriously, you only need a few foods and refreshments, a few essentials to last the night, and your car. You can pitch a tent beside the car or install a side awning.