55 Fun Things to Do on the 4th of July for a Festive Family Gathering
Think fireworks, flags, and family fun! 🇺🇸
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Summer alone is reason enough to gather with friends and family, but Independence Day is even more incentive to have fun under the sun! The Drummonds, for example, always celebrate in style with red, white, and blue at Ree's famous 4th of July party. But even if cookouts and parades aren't your thing, there are countless other ways to ring in Independence Day! So, cue up your patriotic playlist and honor the USA with a day full of 4th of July festivities. Read on for plenty of thrilling ideas for the whole family!
Here, you'll find something for everyone, whether that means feasting on your favorite grilling recipes, spending the day on the water, or breaking out the sparklers. If you need to cool down from the heat, try having a water balloon fight, or heading indoors for some creative 4th of July crafts. Of course, there are also tons of food-related activities like making s'mores, packing a picnic, or decorating a flag cake.
Looking to turn your Independence Day celebration into a full weekend? Plan a road trip to a national monument or spend the night camping under the stars. It's a great way to reconnect with your loved ones and the land that you love. No matter how you celebrate, don't forget to take fun photos of your 4th of July festivities and pair them with some clever 4th of July Instagram captions!
For more fun 4th of July ideas:
Host a Backyard Barbecue
Ready to throw the ultimate 4th of July backyard barbecue? Fire up the grill for juicy burgers, sizzling hot dogs, and hearty corn on the cob, paired with refreshing drinks and festive desserts. Decorate your yard in patriotic red, white, and blue, and keep the fun alive with lawn games like cornhole and frisbee.
Go to a Baseball Game
Celebrate with an All-American pastime—enjoying a baseball game! You can cheer on your favorite team while indulging in hot dogs, peanuts, and ice cream. Many ballparks add patriotic flair with fireworks displays, themed games, and special tributes to the nation’s heroes.
Make Care Packages for Troops
Giving back to those who serve is a meaningful way to honor Independence Day. One thoughtful way to do just that is by creating care packages that include heartfelt letters, snacks, toiletries, and small tokens of appreciation to brighten their day.
Have a Festive Photo Shoot
Capture the spirit of the holiday with a festive 4th of July photo shoot! Like Alex Drummond, you can gather family and friends, dress in matching patriotic outfits, and incorporate themed props like flags, sparklers, and star-patterned accessories. Set up a backdrop with balloons and banners for an extra fun touch.
Create a Freedom Jar
Create a special holiday tradition with this craft! You'll decorate a mason jar, then have everyone in your family fill it with thoughtful notes reflecting on the freedoms and opportunities they cherish most. Revisit the jar annually to appreciate the enduring spirit of liberty and togetherness.
Head to a Festival
Festivals are always fun—especially on Independence Day. Find one near you and enjoy a day filled with live music, delicious food trucks, carnival rides, and games for all ages. Many festivals also feature parades showcasing patriotic floats, entertainers, and local community groups.
Enjoy a Lake Day
Take to the lake for relaxing and extremely fun festivities! Dive into cool waters, enjoy boating, kayaking, or paddleboarding, and soak up the sun on the shore with a comfy picnic setup. End the day watching the sunset over the water, and if you're in luck, enjoy the sparkle of nearby fireworks reflecting beautifully on the lake.
Attend a Classic Car Show
For those into cars, you can combine American pride with admiration for iconic automobiles by heading out to a classic car show. The vintage vehicles are often decked out in patriotic red, white, and blue and surrounded by live music and food vendors. Many car shows even include awards, parades, or other community activities.
Curate a Patriotic Scavenger Hunt
Kiddos and adults will love this one! Create clues and challenges themed around the 4th of July, such as finding items in red, white, and blue, or learning fun facts about American history. Include small prizes or treats for participants to make it even more exciting.
Make Homemade Ice Cream
Cool off during the summer celebration by making homemade ice cream! Everyone will enjoy whipping up creamy, patriotic treats featuring classic vanilla or festive flavors like strawberry and blueberry. Whether using an ice cream maker or a simple no-churn recipe, this activity is perfect for all ages.
Lounge in the Pool
Enjoy a day in the sun at the pool—whether it's yours, a neighbor's, or at the community center. Bring along some inflatable tubes to make it extra special—like food-themed pool floats that would add a fun touch!
Take a Family Bike Ride
Here's a classic way to celebrate Independence Day! Enjoy some outdoor family fun on a bike ride. Bring along a picnic basket and find a sunny spot for a pre-BBQ snack.
Go Kayaking
Hey, outdoor enthusiasts! How about delighting in a day of kayaking? Enjoy the scenery while paddling down the river and build up an appetite for a delicious picnic afterward. It's also an excellent workout.
Shop Summer Sales
For those in need of a way to beat the heat, just head to your local mall and taking advantage of all those 4th of July sales! America's birthday is the perfect excuse to treat yourself.
Play Pickleball
What better way to celebrate America's birthday than with a friendly round of patriotic pickleball? Grab your friends and family, then head to the courts and play to your heart's content.
Make Red, White, and Blue Treats
Make a festive display of sweet treats using these 4th of July desserts as a guide, which includes cakes, pies, and these mouthwatering red, white, and blue ice cream sandwiches!
Get Ree's July 4th Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.
Have an Outdoor Patriotic Movie Marathon
Unwind after the fireworks by playing a couple of 4th of July movies on an outdoor projector or screen! Whether you're after inspirational stories of Americans, classic '80s movies, or your favorite war films, you'll enjoy sitting back and relaxing in the cool night air after a long day of celebrating.
Host a Hot Dog Eating Contest
The first thing you're going to want to do on the 4th is fire up the grill. Make things even more fun by hosting your own hot dog eating contest at home, and let the (eating) games begin!
Get the Chicago-Style Hot Dogs recipe.
Blast a Patriotic Playlist
Queue up a festive and lively playlist full of everyone's favorite patriotic tunes. You could even enlist your most musically inclined guests to pick up a guitar or mic for a fun jam session!
Make Refreshing Cocktails
You could serve your usual libations at your bash. Or you could make a batch of fun (and delicious) red, white, and blue cocktails inspired by a summery twist on the margarita that's made with tequila and fresh watermelon. Cheers!
Get the Red, White and Blue Cocktail recipe.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
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