Independence Day

Easy 4th of July Desserts

Fourth of July is all about commemorating the nation’s freedom and the beautiful lives led by its citizens. More than just a simple gathering, there’s always fireworks, barbecues, and concerts held in celebration of this holiday.

With that said, this bright and lively occasion can only mean more joyous reunions and fun-filled get-togethers with families and friends. And, while attending these parties can be exciting, it’s also equivalent to a mountain-load of preparations for the hosts.

Whether you are that person responsible for getting the food out, or you’re a guest, who’s thinking about what treat to bring to the table, we’ve created this article to give you ideas on cool, festive 4th of July desserts that are easy to make.

Easy 4th of July Desserts for Your Table

Desserts are not only fun to eat on your own, they’re also fun to share with others. For a day that memorializes such an important time in history, it’s only right to personalize them so they better fit the occasion.

So your confections can fit the theme, below is a list of 15 of our favorite recipes for 4th of July desserts that would leave your guests in awe.

Fruit n’ Yogurt Parfait Cups

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s fast and easy to put together, then this recipe for fruit n’ yogurt parfait cups will do just the trick. We love this because it’s perfect for health-conscious folks looking for a sweet treat that’ll satisfy their sweet tooth.

To start, prepare some strawberries, and chop them into slices. Bring out the yogurt, blueberries, whipped cream, and some optional toppings (my eyes are on granola and nuts).

Once you’re ready, start with a layer of strawberry slices, add in some yogurt and, finally, top them with blueberries. Add a dollop of whipped cream for sweetness, and finish with your choice of toppings.

While really simple, these parfait cups’ ingredients and the way you assemble them still fit the theme without doing much work.

Star-Spangled Fruit Cakes

Stars aren’t just found on flags, they can be found on your favorite fruit cakes, too. For this one, begin by preparing some shortcakes—whether they’re homemade or store-bought is completely up to you. Make sure they’re round, so you can decorate it the way you like.

From here, add a generous amount of whipped cream or frosting on top to create a thick layer for the toppings to stick to. Line the outermost edges with some raspberries or cut up strawberries, followed by a ring of blueberries within it. Once you have your two lines finished, add a slice of starfruit in the middle to finish the cake.

This recipe is another one that’s easy to make and doesn’t take a lot of time, so you can go ahead and proceed with your preparations much faster.

American Flag Cake

No 4th of July desserts table is complete without an edible flag. If what you’re looking for is something that screams Independence Day, then a flag cake is the best way to represent the holiday while having fun.

You can make your own cake from scratch. However, if you’re pressed for time, then box cake is the best way to go. We recommend using a confetti cake mix or something similar if you’re making one your own.

Bake the batter in a rectangular baking pan, and let cool once finished. Ice with some vanilla frosting, and fill the top with fruits in the flag’s colors. The easiest fruits to decorate it with are sliced strawberries for the red stripes, blueberries for the blues, and some marshmallows for the star itself.

No matter what fruits or ingredients you use, this cake is bound to display you and your family’s nationalism on the dining table, like no other.

Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes

Something simply delicious, yet still fitting with the theme are some red, white, and blue cupcakes. Because of how the cupcakes are made, it will look as if you took some time and effort to get them done when you can finish it in just a couple of hours.

Using some white cake mix, prepare the batter as specified in the box. You can also make your own from scratch if that’s what you prefer. From here, separate the batter into three bowls of equal parts. Mix each bowl with red, blue, and white food coloring respectively, until you have three bowls of different colors.

Once finished, layer the cupcake liners as follows: Blue batter, white batter, and red. Bake the cupcakes in the oven, and wait for them to cool before decorating. Pipe a swirl of vanilla frosting at the top, along with some star sprinkles for added effect.

4th of Jul-O

Who said Jello was a kids-only dessert? For this recipe, get ready for some jiggly 4th of Jul-O fun that can make both children and adults smile.

To start, make two trays of both red and blue gelatin. After the mixture sets, and the Jello becomes solid, chop them up into cubes and set aside. From here on out, it’s all about assembly. In some clear dessert cups or glasses, add the red Jello cubes to go at the bottom. Then, add in a dollop of whipped cream. For the third layer, add in the blue Jello cubes, and top with whipped cream.

See? It’s incredibly easy-peasy. You can either serve this on a large, clear and deep bowl as a center dish or in separate containers, so your guests can build their own parfaits.

Uncle Sam-nanas

Something fast and easy to make are these Uncle Sam-nanas. This is one of the easiest 4th of July desserts we can recommend, consisting of only two simple steps. It’s a sweet and yummy dessert even the kids can help make.

To start, cut bananas in half and skewer the fruit onto popsicle sticks, then freeze them. Next, melt some chocolate in a double boiler, dip the bananas, and cover them in red, white, and blue candies or sprinkles. After that, just chill them to set the chocolate and you’re done!

Serve them on an ice-chilled platter on the dessert table.

Patriotic Strawberries

Another simple, fruit-based dessert that will have you craving for more are these Patriotic Strawberries. Just like the previous one, it only takes a couple of steps to make and is deliciously perfect for the theme.

Start by preparing whole strawberries, and melting up some white chocolate. In a separate bowl, mix regular white sugar with some blue food coloring until the sugar reaches the desired color.

Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to dip. Grab the strawberries by the stem, and slowly dip each one into the chocolate. While still wet, roll the chocolate-covered strawberry into the blue sugar until evenly coated. When you’re finished, you will have strawberries that are red, blue, and white in color.

Chocolate-covered strawberries are a famous dessert on their own. Putting your own spin on it for the holiday will only make them extra special for you and your guests celebrating the season.

Uncle Sammiches

Haven’t got much time to prepare? Everyone knows how irresistible ice cream sandwiches are, so why not make some Uncle Sammiches for this year’s get-together? Whether you want a cooling treat that satisfies your cravings or a fast, go-to recipe that’s guaranteed to be a big hit, here’s one that satisfies both.

Start by picking up some ready-made ice cream sandwiches at the store. If there aren’t any available or if you want to make them your own, pick up any vanilla-based ice cream flavor.

Take two shortbread cookies, and place one scoop of ice cream at the center. Use the second cookie to smoosh the filling into place, and smooth down the sides with the back of a spoon. Once smooth, roll the sandwiches on their side in mixed red, blue, and white sprinkles to give it the finishing touch. Keep them in the freezer until you’re ready for dessert.

Star Sugar Cookies

Star-shaped sugar cookies are bound to catch anyone’s eye. Not only because of the cookie’s irregular shape but also because of the appetizing colors that almost don’t look like food.

Grab a box of sugar cookie mix, and prepare the dough as per the instructions. Once you’ve begun kneading it, cut the dough into star shapes using a cookie cutter. Reroll the leftover dough, cut out more shapes, and repeat until you’ve formed all your dough into stars. Bake in the oven, and let cool.

Now comes the fun part—decorating the cookies! Purchase a tub of ready-made icing, and separate them into three bowls. Dye the two bowls red and blue, and leave the last one in its natural color, which is white.

Afterwhich, pipe the outline for the royal icing as per the design you want, using these three colors for the design. Once you’ve finished piping the outline, add a small amount of water to each bowl and flood the middle parts of your outline. Smoothen out with a toothpick and wait for it to dry.

American Flag Donuts

Donuts, donuts, donuts. Who could say no to them? Their soft, sweet, and pillowy nature can easily be regarded as one of life’s guilty pleasures. But hey, it’s the 4th of July, everyone deserves a treat from time to time, yeah?

Start off by preparing your dough using a standard vanilla donut recipe. That includes using flour, egg, sugar, yeast, butter, baking powder, and vanilla. You may fry or bake it however you want, but make sure to let it cool before decorating.

Next, melt up some white, red, and blue candy melts, then put them into squeeze bottles or piping bags. Before doing the pipework, dip the donut face down into the white chocolate so you can have a background for the design.

Using the blue candy melts, draw the rectangle of the flag, followed by the red candy melts for the stripes. Let it dry for a bit, then proceed to use the white candy melts to add the star details. Stack or lay them out on a nice platter, and serve.

4th of July Whoopie Pies

Whoopie pies are like handy and deliciously bite-sized cakes. On their own, they’re the perfect party pick-me-up to fill your guests’ stomachs and warm their hearts.

Using a store-bought Funfetti cake mix, prepare the batter, and mix additional red and blue sprinkles for color. Refrigerate for an hour, so they’re easier to handle and mold later on.

Once cooled, scoop the batter and roll them into balls, then bake them in the oven, spacing at least 3 inches apart from each other.

While the dough is baking, prepare your filling. Grab some frosting, and divide it equally into three bowls. Dye two bowls red and blue respectively, leaving one bowl of frosting white. Once the cakes are baked and have cooled, fill your piping bags with frosting, and get ready to assemble.

Lay one cake on it’s back, and pipe one color of frosting on the flat side of the cake. Do this for all the little cakes you’ve baked, leaving half to top them all off later. Once you’re done piping, finish the sandwich with the last whoopie pie, and that’s it!

Independence Day Yogurt Pops

During the summertime, it can get really hot even when staying indoors. Why not treat yourself to a refreshing dessert, like these Independence Day yogurt pops?

To make these healthy and delicious popsicles, all you’re going to need are some molds, yogurt, and a cup of strawberries and blueberries. Simply combine all your ingredients into a bowl, and pour them into your molds. Let them sit in the freezer for at least six hours or until frozen, and serve when you’re ready for dessert.

Patriotic Pretzels

Need a quick treat for the sweet and salty lovers at your party? Fret not, this dessert has to be one of the easiest recipes to pull off, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to make either.

Begin by preparing some pretzel rods you can buy at the store (you can also make your own from scratch). Liquify some white candy melts, and place them in a piping bag to decorate. Lay out all your pretzel sticks on a tray, and squeeze your piping bag in a zig-zag direction, from end to end of the tray, to create some stripes on the pretzels. Before the chocolate dries up, shower with red and blue sprinkles for a nice pop of color.

Once dried, you can either serve them on a plate as is or individually wrap them in clear plastic bags, adorned with red and blue ribbons. However you choose to present them, they’ll be a colorful addition to your 4th of July desserts table.

All-American Oreos

All-American Oreos are all about presentation and personalizing a cult favorite that’s been around for ages. This recipe is incredibly easy, even the kids can do this on their own.

Start by grabbing a pack of regular Oreos. Next, prepare a fine piping bag with some red frosting. Next, melt some white chocolate. Dip each Oreo in the white chocolate, then zig-zag across the white chocolate with the red frosting, then sprinkle blue star sprinkles on top while everything is still wet.

Firework Pops

Cake pops only require two main ingredients: crumbled cake and frosting. You can use scraps from the cupcakes and cakes you’ve used for other recipes, make one from scratch or simply buy some from the store.

First off, break your cake bread apart, piece by piece, until you’re left with just crumbs. Then, add in one dollop of plain frosting at a time, stirring it with the crumbs until lumps begin to form.

Using your bare hands, form balls from the cake and frosting mixture, then stick a popsicle stick at the center to serve as a handle. Put in the freezer to cool until firm.

While it’s setting, prepare the coating. Melt some white chocolate, and ready your blue and red sprinkles. Once the balls come out of the fridge, dip them into the white chocolate, and immediately roll them in red and blue sprinkles. Design some cut-out blue and red paper you will skewer into the bottom of the cake pop to serve as both a bib and design for the dessert.

Serve chilled, and you’re done. All it takes is a few steps to enjoy these nice desserts, fit for the 4th of July. You won’t even need to go outdoors to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday.

A Sweet Day of Independence

The best thing about these 4th of July desserts is they look a lot better than the skill level and effort that’s actually required! Most are rather inexpensive and quick to make, so they are suitable for any budget or schedule! Don’t be that guy who brings yet another macaroni salad!

5 Fun Theme Parks For Families To E...

5 Fun Theme Parks For Families To Enjoy

How to Celebrate 4th of July at Home

By Gathered Again

When we think about the 4th of July, we imagine the colorful fireworks display in town, the procession of military men, the star-spangled delicacies, and the laughter of friends and family. It’s a day full of joyous laughter, hearty meals, and games. There are so many things you can do that will surely lift everybody’s mood, and get everyone in a high spirit.

For years we were used to celebrating the 4th of July outdoors. But, we can actually celebrate it inside the comfort of our own homes. We can bake cakes, create colorful crafts and decorations, play trivia questions, and cook delicious meals. To know more about the different fun activities during this day, read more below.

Setting Up Your 4th of July Celebration at Home

Celebrating the 4th of July at home has a lot of perks. First, you can freely decide on the designs and themes you would want to incorporate in the decoration. Second, you can easily plan the activities for the day. Lastly, you have free reign on the number of guests based on your home’s capacity. But, before we tackle the activities for the day, let’s first plan your 4th of July decorations.

When it comes to decorating your home, you would want it to be as fun-filled and celebratory as possible. The most common color palettes you can choose are red, blue, and white. And, if you want it to be budget-friendly, there are tons of options you can do.

Start decorating your home by planning the designs you want for each area of your house. An easy way to do this is to check platforms, like Pinterest, for ideas. With this, you can visualize how your space would look like for the celebration. This can also help you with picking a theme or tying all your 4th of July ideas together.

If you haven’t chosen a theme yet, don’t fret. We have listed five ideas you can do for your 4th of July celebration.

Backyard Waterpark

Help combat the summer heat by turning your backyard into a fun-filled waterpark! Decorate your backyard with inflatable pools, confetti, and flags. Add a picnic table on the side to keep everyone full, as they lounge on the hammocks and play in the pool.

Don’t forget to play some water and backyard games to energize everyone. You can use inflatables with the color theme of red, blue, and white. Create a bandana star garland, paper pinwheels, and wreaths for added decoration on the picnic table. For the food to serve, you can try cooking a steak chimichurri and grilled pineapple.

The first step is to heat the grill to medium. Then, in a bowl, mix the peppers, 1 tbsp oil, and ¼ tsp of salt and pepper. Season the steak with ¼ tsp of salt and pepper. Once done, you can grill the steak for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, and let cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing it.

Creating the juicy pineapple dipped in coconut sugar and cinnamon is super easy, too. To create the perfect grilled pineapple, you’ll have to prepare the sauce. Mix the coconut sugar, cinnamon and cardamom. Sprinkle the sauce on each side of the pineapple slice, then grill each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer it to a clean plate, and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Ice Cream Party

Everybody loves desserts! Beat the heat, and have a fun and cool 4th of July Ice Cream Party. This one can be celebrated both inside the house or in the backyard. If you plan to celebrate indoors, you can decorate the dining room or living room with pastel-colored decors, ice cream garlands, wreaths, flags, and table cloth. Have some 4th of July-themed cupcakes on the side, along with food of your choice, served on the table.

For outdoor decorations, it’s best to hang a donut lantern on your back porch or tree. You can set up a table decorated with ice cream cups and spoons, paper flowers, and ice cream streamers. To make this theme have the patriotic spirit, sprinkle your ice creams with red and blue stars, and serve red and blue popsicles. You can also add some flags on the cupcakes to honor the day.

BBQs and Movies

It would be nice to spend the day roasting barbecue and watching movies underneath the stars with your loved ones. Celebrate the day, watching Independence Day movies in your makeshift backyard theater, using a white cloth as a screen. You can decorate your backyard with a simple patriotic windsock, burlap banner, painted flower pots, patriotic signage, and lantern jars.

Make the food all-American, served in the flag’s colors, on top of an on-theme decorated table. You can even create the famous beef and mushroom burgers. Simply prepare your burger patty, tomatoes, lettuce, burger bun, mushroom, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and oil.

The first step is to use a food processor to pulse the mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, beef, and onion. Then, create it into four patties, and cook. Lastly, serve it in a toasted bun with lettuce and tomato. Your beef and mushroom burger is ready to eat! Don’t forget to serve hotdogs, corn dogs, and roast marshmallows, too!

Carnival-Themed Independence

Kids and adults both love carnivals! It’s a place where you can enjoy fun rides, play different games, and eat carnival snacks. So, why not turn your house into a carnival for the 4th of July?

You can even go all out, and design your front porch into a ticket booth. You can either make a ticket booth replica or attach a printout on the wall. Meanwhile, you can decorate your living room, and arrange the furniture for indoor carnival games, such as mini basketball hoops, stacks of cards, and hula-hoop relays. If you have space in your backyard, you can either move the fun there or add more carnival games.

Remember to decorate the kitchen as well! Serve popcorns, hotdogs, cupcakes, and sweets in red and blue plates and paper cups. Lastly, create this sweet and colorful red and blue waffle. Kids can help make them, as you guide them in whisking the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Add the two mixtures together, and stir. The next step is to heat the mixture in a waffle iron. Afterwards, transfer to a wire rack to cool. In this last step, let your kids scoop ice cream, and spread evenly on the waffle. Let them coat the edges with red, blue, and white sprinkles. Freeze for 4 hours to 2 days before serving.

Hollywood-Themed Party

Become movie stars for a day!

Design your home into a grand theater and music haven. Create a red carpet using red cloth or paper, and add a mini stage in your backyard where you can have fun activities. You can also put Hollywood and golden cut-outs on the walls and tables.

To make it work with the celebration, use 4th of July theme colors on your paper plates and desserts table. And, to stick with both themes, you can even do a performance, reenacting day of independence on stage. This will be a great way for children to learn history and commemorate the day.

Celebrating 4th of July at Home

It wouldn’t be a celebration without games and activities! We all love a good laugh and a challenge. So, do prepare yourselves for these fun, yet challenging games that will test your knowledge, patience, and teamwork.

Below is a list of 4th of July indoor games you can try at home.

4th of July Trivia Night

Challenge your guests and family to an Independence Day trivia night! Prepare trivia questions about Independence Day or US history, and have teams answer them correctly. Whoever wins gets to eat the yummiest dessert.

Patriotic Balloon Pop

Prepare one “You win!” note and several blank notes. Put one inside each balloon before inflating them, then scatter it in your living room. Have everyone pop the balloons using any of their body parts, and whoever gets the “You win!” note, gets a prize.

4th of July Charades

Put a twist on the famous game by listing famous people, events, and symbols for the 4th of July. Group the players, and have them take turns to guess the word. Each team must guess the word correctly in less than five minutes.

Flag Tag

Divide your guests into two groups. Divide your playing area into two territories, and stick five mini American flags on the ground on the farthest side of each team’s territory.

A more tiring version of Capture the Flag, the goal of this game is to have one team capture the other’s flags, and stick them on their territory. Be careful not to get tagged by the opposing team though, or you’ll have to stay in the enemy’s territory and be saved.

You can play the game for 10 minutes each round, and the team to get the most number of wins gets the prize.

Watermelon Eating Contest

Slice the watermelon in quarter slices. Lay them on the table, and have the guests eat the slice in five minutes without using their arms and hands. Whoever finishes their slice first, wins the game.

4th of July Indoor Fun!

Celebrating 4th of July doesn’t have to stop if you can’t go out of the house. There are tons of fun, 4th of July activities you can do in the comfort of your own home. You can turn it into a mini-park or an oasis to celebrate this special day. It will also be easy to organize and control since you are in your own space.

Aside from these, your creativity and artistic skills are put to the test. Old clothes and materials can be used to decorate your home, and turn it into a festive place. Plus, it’s a good family bonding project, as everyone pitches in in setting up the house. So, instead of feeling bad for not being able to go out this year, try these ideas to spruce up your 4th of July celebration.

4th of July Themes for Your Celebration

By Team

Blowing stuff up, it’s the American way! Fireworks, that is! There’s no better National holiday to illuminate the sky than on the very day we celebrate our independence!

With summertime here, you know what you have to do! That’s right, it’s time to start planning your summer festivities! Whether you’re looking for a good time for the kids at summer camp, planning your 4th of July family reunion, organizing a community celebration, or you simply want to throw a party to celebrate, a 4th of July celebration is a must!

Themes for July 4th

It’s always a good time when you simply invite family and friends over, have a cookout, relax, and enjoy the show, but why not go the extra step and put a theme to the party? Themes can make a party more memorable and fun! It can also make the planning going more smoothly by providing more focus on the smaller details, such as food selection, decorations, music, and activities and games. When you apply a theme across all aspects of the celebration, it really ties the party together beautifully!

Obviously you’ll have a very red, white, and blue color scheme, but if you’re looking for additional ideas, here’s a list of 4th of July party ideas and themes to light up your night!

Patriotic Celebrations

First and foremost, we have to start with patriotic themes! July 4th is all about celebrating the independence of the USA from the monarchy of Britain which was obviously a huge deal, hence it being a National holiday! If the goal for your celebration is to remember why we’re celebrating this day and appreciate the work of the Founding Fathers,, than choose a tasteful patriotic theme and party ideas that are centered around patriotism.

Patriotic Party Ideas

Organize a care package drop – This is especially good if you’re planning on throwing something for the community because the turnout will likely be amazing. Ask all of your guests to bring an item or two (or however many they want!) to stuff into packages for the military stationed overseas. Think items like toiletries, reading materials, snacks, and anything that will make them feel happy!

Recognize the vets – All of the vets who are still here to tell their stories deserve a special shoutout and an even more special thank-you! Thank them for their service with a special dessert such as an apple pie!
Tribute to the fallen – Many people know a member of the armed forces who gave their all and can’t be here to celebrate. These heroes deserve to have their picture on display along with all of their service information. Designate a table to set their framed pictures on and encourage guests to drop a rose or flower on the table as a symbol of recognition.
Patriotic karaoke – Host karaoke with only songs related to patriotism. Be sure to kick it off with the National Anthem!

Americana dress code – Not only is it patriotic to wear Americana apparel, but it will make for some fun, matchy, stock photo-type of pictures!

Patriotic 4th Of July Themes

In case you are seeking a few ideas that are patriotic, here is your list:

“Proud to be an American”

“Born in the USA”
“The Red, White, & Blue”
“An American Holiday”

“1776”
“Salute to the Soldiers”
“Support our Troops”

“Founding Fathers”
“Our Lady Liberty”
“Americana”

“Flying Colors”
“Stars and Stripes”
“America, the Beautiful”

“God Bless the U.S.A.”
“Mr. President”
“Our Man, Uncle Sam”

“50 Stars”
“Land of the Free”

Fun 4th Of July Celebrations

While you should of course include patriotism in your celebration, if you are looking to make it an event perfectly suitable for all ages, then it’s a good idea to go with a fun party theme! Some ways to ensure your event is fun for all, try some of the following ideas.

Fun July 4th Party Ideas

Fireworks – People of all ages enjoy fireworks! The only thing you should exercise caution with is if you live nearby war veterans or if war veterans will be attending the event as fireworks can bring back negative memories from overseas. It’s wise to check with the vets to see if they mind! I know lots of vets who enjoy fireworks, but better err on the side of caution and ask.
Adult beverages – Any adult who enjoys adult beverages will agree that such beverages make the celebrations much more enjoyable! Look for recipes for fun red, white and blue cocktails, such as these!
Bonfire – Kids and adults alike enjoy sitting around a fire! Grab a stick, a pack of hotdogs, and all the fixins for s’mores and you have yourselves a good time!

Movie night – Spend the evening in an outdoor cinema using a projector onto the house or a large screen, or even inside if the weather permits otherwise. Don’t forget the popcorn!

Fun 4th Of July Themes

Here are a few themes that are fun for all ages:

“Freedom and Fireworks”

“Hot Dog Nation”
“Beer, BBQ, and Blasts”
“Brews & Booms”

“National Treasure” – Spend the 4th of July with Nicolas Cage watching National Treasure!
“Red, White, and Boom”
“Boom, Boom, POW!”

“The American Way”
“Light Up the Sky”
“Red, White, and Booze”

“The Grande Finale”
“Star Spangled Everything”
“Boom Bash”

4th of July Celebrations for Kids

Whether you’re in search of ideas for a youth group, school, or even a birthday party around the time of July 4th, here are some ideas that kids will go kooky over!

4th of July Party Ideas for Kids

Sing along – Kids love singing in groups and it’s super cute, to boot! Pick some patriotic music suitable for children, such as “Yankee Doodle,” and have fun teaching the kids the songs!
Inflatables – These are those giant inflatable bounce houses and slides that kids will never get enough of! Rent one or two for easy and fun entertainment for the littles!

Water play – July is one of the hottest months of the year so provide ample opportunity for the kids to stay cool while still enjoying the great outdoors! Think sprinklers, water slides, and water balloons!
Ice cream social – Sure, you could chase down the ice cream truck for that oh-so-delicious strawberry shortcake bar, or you could make it a DIY ice cream sundae buffet!
Kiddie fireworks – Though kids enjoy watching the big fireworks, you should totally have some they can have fun with themselves such as snap n’ pops (pop-its, snap poppers, or whatever you call them), sparklers, and my all time favorite as a kid, snakes!

4th of July Themes for Kids

Last, but not least, fun theme ideas for kids!

“Yankee Doodle Dandy”
“Good Ol’ Uncle Sam”

“Meet the Founding Fathers”
“The Sandlot”
“Shining Stars”

“Have a Blast”
“Snacks n’ Sparklers”
“This Land is Your Land”

“American Dreamer”
“Snap, Crackle, Pop”
“Party in the U.S.A.”

“American Baby”
“American Child”

Which 4th of July themes and ideas sound the funnest to you? Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you never forget the reason we celebrate this special day!

4th of July Family Reunion Ideas

By Gathered Again Leave a Comment

What’s better than fireworks, food, family and fun on Independence Day? Adding an all-out family reunion into the mix! If you are planning a family reunion for some summertime fun, make it red, white and blue with stars and stripes, too!

First things first, get started on that checklist, including a guest list (which should include all family, of course)! Speaking of checklist, check out our family reunion planning checklist.

4th of July Invitations

4th of July Invitation from Etsy — 4th of July Invitations

Sending out invitations for a family reunion is a must and with plenty of time, to boot! Skip the boring, plain invitations and send something out with some pizzaz and frill! For example, these invitations on Etsy are adorable and most are fully customizable and have everything you need! They are relatively inexpensive and you can order the exact amount you need!

For some extra 4th of July effects, add a pinch of confetti in red, white, and blue, and stars if you can find it! Just a little bit though, because nobody wants a mess!

Read More: Creative ways to get more RSVPs

Patriotic Decorations

4th of July family reunion ideas are perhaps most important when it comes to the decorations! The family reunion needs to have that oh-so-patriotic feel to it since you are not only celebrating the family, but the important holiday as well!

More than likely the venue will be an outdoor one, weather-permitting of course, so you need to think of some 4th of July family reunion ideas that are suitable for the outdoor environment. Here’s a few ways to get those stars shining in your family reunion decorations!

Banners: Every family reunion needs a banner announcing the reunion to the world! Banners are easy outside because they can be hung on fences, tree-to-tree, or pole-to-pole. Although banners are an easy DIY project, if you find yourself strapped for time, invest in one that is professionally printed in your 4th of July theme!

Paper lanterns: The party will likely go into the evening hours since it will involve fireworks, so hang some themed paper lanterns all around and equip them with those little battery-operated LED candles for a subtle lighting effect!
Flags, flags, and more flags: Flags are an easy way to decorate for this occasion, and nothing is more appropriate! Small flags can embellish food at the table, line the walkways, and double as favors!

4th of July Food

When it comes to the American way, nothing says it better than the food choices! Having a 4th of July family reunion themed celebration means you have to have amazing food! Amazing food doesn’t have to be expensive though, and remember that doing it yourself with a few helping hands can save you lots in the bank! Here’s some 4th of July family reunion ideas that your tastebuds won’t want to miss!

Rocket dogs: Stick hotdogs on skewers and wrap a half-inch thick piece of flattened biscuit dough (the kind in the can) around each one, cooking them according to the instructions of the biscuits. Stick a piece of triangle-shaped cheese on top for the rocket’s tip, and add an optional embellishment on the bottom to look like the rocket’s flare!
Star finger sandwiches: Make a platter of sandwiches, and use a star cookie cutter. Easy and cheap!
Flag fruit skewers: Think red, white and blue, of course! Watermelon, strawberries, and cherries work great for red, blueberries for blue, and bananas or marshmallows for white. Alternate the colors in such a way that when you lay the skewers on a tray or stick them in a foam block, the colors line up to look like the American Flag!

Mason jar punch bar: Is there anything more American than drinking from a mason jar? Probably, but it certainly adds a nice touch to a 4th of July family reunion! Ideas for this include having a few different punch flavors, one red, one blue, and a lemonade for “white.” Don’t forget to add these paper straws for the finishing touch!

Independence Day Games

Family reunions are all about fun and games, making good memories with the family. While the fireworks later will prove to be the more anticipated entertainment, you’ll be in need of a few daytime activities to keep everyone on their feet and having a good time! Here’s some ideas for 4th of July family reunion fun! Here are some family reunion game ideas:

Flag hunt: Best for the kids, but anyone can join! Hide flags all around the venue and see who finds the most in a set amount of time! If you hide some in harder places, be sure to keep a list of every place you hid them to make cleanup easier.

Pie-eating contest: If you’ll have enough takers, this game will double as some hilarious entertainment! Each contestant must have their hands bound behind their backs, and the only thing they may use to eat the pie is their mouths. Messy and funny, this is a must for a 4th of July family reunion!
Ring toss: This is great for all ages and both cheap and easy DIY project! Take an old wooden crate and paint it blue with white stars. Take as many glass bottles that will fit in the crate and paint them however you’d like: Some white, some red, some red and white stripes. Find some small wooden or plastic rings (craft store) and you’ve got yourself a game!

Festive 4th of July Favors

Every party needs favors to thank guests for coming and a family reunion is no different! I personally enjoy the idea of people making their own favors, such as tie dye family reunion t-shirts, but it all depends on the crowd. For family reunions, personalized picture frames to hold a memory from the reunion is always a win! As for the kids, they can go out with a bang with a bunch of Pop Rocks and party poppers!