With the 4^th of July right around the corner, you may be wondering how to celebrate the day while avoiding the traffic and the crowds. While traditionally, this holiday is celebrated with parades and firework displays for the whole town, why not create a patriotic family day in the comfort of your own backyard. Here are a few ideas to make this 4^th of July one for the whole family to remember.

Create a Patriotic Theme

Nothing says the 4^th like red, white, and blue, so get started early creating patriotic decor.  Crafting together to make decorations is something the whole family can enjoy as well. Set up a crafting table with supplies such as paint, popsicle sticks, construction paper, glue, tin cans, etc., and get started on your party decorations. Here are a few ideas:

-American flag placemats

-Candle holders made from tin cans and popsicle sticks (paint the popsicle sticks red, white and blue and glue them together onto the tin can)

-A large map of the United States with printed photos of the state bird and flower

-A patriotic wreath

-Confetti poppers

-American flag luminaries

4^th  of July crafts are endless and can really spruce up your outdoor area.

Plan a Fun Menu

Granted, everyone loves hot dogs, hamburgers, and some good potato salad on the 4^th of July, but why not elevate the menu a bit this year? If you want to do burgers, try a Bleu cheese and bacon burger, as it goes with the red, white and “bleu” theme. Set on having hot dogs? Offer them up in new ways, like a buffalo dog or a Reuben dog. Feel free to indulge in some potato salad, since it goes so well with dogs and burgers. Some other patriotic salad ideas are a strawberry, blueberry, and feta salad or a watermelon Caprese salad. Everyone loves to snack on appetizers, you could serve a warm lump crab dip with chips. Lastly, don’t forget the beverages. On such a warm day, you need to stay hydrated, but try taking your water up a notch by adding some natural flavors such as cucumber, lavender, mint, or berries. Signature cocktails such as a cosmopolitan or a blue Hawaii are a great addition to the red, white, and blue motif as well.

Cool It Down

July is one of the hottest months of the year, so you’ll need to take that into account when planning your festivities. You may want to rearrange the outdoor seating so that it resides in a shaded space. No shade? No worries, you can create a temporary shade space by using a shade sail, curtains, or by adding a freestanding umbrella. Another option to ensure that no one gets overheated is to plan some fun water activities. Set up that slip-and-slide, run through the sprinklers, have a water balloon fight, or simply soak your feet in the kiddie pool for a quick cool down during the day. Just be sure to put on your sunscreen.

End the Evening Under the Stars

The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down – continue that quality family time under the stars. Serve up some popcorn balls and enjoy a movie on the projector, light a fire in the fire pit, and roast some marshmallows while sharing ghost stories or set up those tents and have a campout in the backyard. No matter what you choose, be sure to light up those sparklers and chase some fireflies as well.

 

Happy 4^th of July everyone! Let us know your plans for the holiday.