11 Fun 4th of July Party Ideas and Activities

You can’t celebrate America’s birthday without some epic 4^th of July party ideas. If it’s your turn to host the annual get-together, embrace the red, white and blue with some awesome decorations, games, activities and food!

It’s time to get out the streamers, buy some patriotic balloons, DIY U.S.A. centerpieces, and grill the ultimate hot dog—because July 4^th is just around the corner! Get ready for the ultimate celebration with our list of 4^th of July party ideas.

Decorations

Start your 4^th of July party off right with patriotic décor! Go all out with red, white and blue everything—from tablecloths and plates to balloons and banners.

1. Festive Table Décor

Food is one of the most important ingredients in any 4^th of July party (more on that later), so make your table settings stand out! Get red, white and blue tablecloths, plates, cups, utensils and serving dishes. Paperware is always a good alternative to dirtying your dishes, or go green and use reusable, dishwasher-safe plates made of melamine or bamboo fiber!

You can also create festive centerpieces with flowers or American flags. Or, paint vases or mason jars red, white and blue to make your table pop!

Pro tip: Check out this blog for a few ways to DIY mason jar centerpieces.

2. Balloons

Pump up your party space with some balloons! Buy plain red, white, and blue balloons, some star shaped balloons or even an inflatable U.S.A. banner at the store. Then, hang them up all over your backyard or entertainment space. You don’t have to have to limit yourself to helium balloons, you can use balloon sticks or bouquets to create a similar effect.

3. Banners, Garlands and More

Find a big U.S.A. sign to hang on the fence in your backyard, or create a patriotic garland. American flags are a popular July 4^th decoration (it is America’s birthday after all), so don’t be afraid to go overboard. Hang them from flag poles or around your backyard.

Pro tip: You can also create a red, white and blue wreath to hang on your front door, gate or fence. Check out this blog for 25 July 4^th wreath ideas!

Games/Activities

The ultimate 4^th of July activities may be watching a fireworks show and eating (lots of eating), but there’s more to it than that! Get out some yard games, test your knowledge of American history and keep your guests entertained all day long.

4. Photo Booth

Want a fun activity for all your guests to enjoy, and a way to commemorate your 4^th of July bash? Try a photo booth! DIY a backdrop with a red, white and blue tablecloth or hang streamers and garland. Then, print out festive photo props including sunglasses, hats and flags.

5. Cornhole, Bocce Ball, Croquet or Badminton

Enjoy July 4^th in the sunshine and play a yard game. If you don’t have a cornhole set, you can buy one from your local sporting goods store or build your own!

Pro tip: Check out this blog for instructions to build a cornhole set. Make it extra festive by using red, white and blue bean bags, or paint your cornhole set with stars, stripes and all things U.S.A.

You can also try a number of other backyard sports, including bocce ball, croquet, spike ball or even badminton. Set up a slip and slide or water balloon battle for the kiddos, or let them run around and play tag, hide-and-seek or musical chairs.

6. Fireworks!

If you want to put together your own fireworks display, be sure to research if fireworks are legal in your area. You can also find a safe spot to go watch a local display, or check out a fireworks show on TV (hang a projector in the backyard so everyone can watch). No matter how you catch the fireworks, it’s an Independence Day tradition! Grab some lawn chairs and look up at the sky to check out some incredible red, white and blue pyrotechnics.

If you are putting on your own display, be sure to check your city and state guidelines to ensure you’re following the law. Take extra precaution to ensure you and your guests stay safe, like having water handy and setting up a safety perimeter. You should also be respectful of your neighbors and neighborhood pets (fireworks can frighten dogs and other animals), by letting them know ahead of time and not staying out too late.

Pro tip: Here is a state law directory for fireworks provided by the American Pyrotechnics Association.  

7. Poppers and Sparklers

If you’re looking for a safe way for everyone at your party to enjoy the fireworks, hand out sparklers, poppers or even bubbles. For an even safer option, give out glow sticks or sit around a firepit instead of setting off pyrotechnics. We know 4^th of July is known for the light show, but you can still celebrate America’s birthday with some small-scale sparks!

Pro tip: DIY your own confetti poppers with this tutorial.

8. American History Trivia

American history trivia is a great 4^th of July party idea for adults! Just look up American history trivia online and ask the adult guests to participate at the party. You can even create a PowerPoint with the questions! Don’t forget to give out prizes to the winners (like those mason jar centerpieces!)

9. Neighborhood Parade

Check to see if your neighborhood has a parade the morning of the Fourth. If so, be sure to join in or watch and wave as everyone goes by!

If not, you can always set one up. Ask the kiddos in the neighborhood to decorate their bikes in crepe paper and flags, put bandannas on the dogs, ask your local car collectors to cruise by, or even invite a local hero, like a veteran or active service member to toss candy to the crowd.

Just be sure everyone in your neighborhood is invited and knows when and where the parade will be. You’ll also want to let the local police know, and if you have a fire department nearby, invite them to join!

Don’t skimp on the treats and candy afterward, and give out prizes for the best-decorated bikes or most patriotic pup!

Pro tip: Find more in-depth instructions to plan a 4^th of July parade in this blog.

Food

An awesome 4^th of July party isn’t complete without festive food and snacks! Check out these easy and creative ideas to keep your guests happy and their stomachs full. For even more, read this list of 4^th of July recipes from Food Network. (Their deviled egg American flag looks epic.)

9. Barbecue

Summer equals BBQ! More specifically, 4^th of July equals hot dogs. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on July 4^th. (That’s a lot of hot dogs). So, safe to say they’re a pretty common food choice on America’s birthday.

You don’t only have to serve hot dogs though, you can also grill burgers, ribs, wings and even some sides (like corn on the cob).

10. Sides and snacks

Get as creative as you’d like with your 4^th of July snacks. Consider fruit like strawberries and blueberries (to stay with the red, white and blue theme), or make baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, or chips and dip.

11. Dessert

You definitely can’t skip dessert on July 4^th. S’mores are always a crowd pleaser, especially if you make your own red, white and blue marshmallows (of course, they’ll be a hit no matter what). Fruit pie is also a popular Independence Day treat.

Or, you can buy or bake red, white and blue cupcakes or sugar cookies. For a small, sweet treat, dip Oreos in colored melting chocolate to make festive Oreo pops.

Remember, just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean you have to make all the food yourself! Ask your guests to bring their favorite side dish or dessert to the party, and take away some of the stress.  

FAQs: 4^th of July Party Ideas

Q: How do you host a Fourth of July party?

A: Hosting any get-together can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help. You should plan ahead and do as much as you can in advance. It’s also a good idea to send out invitations or evites because everyone gets busy on the 4^th of July! Use some of our tips above to decorate, play and cook during your Independence Day celebration.   

Q: How do you make Fourth of July fun at home?

A: If you’re just staying home with family instead of attending or hosting a party, you can still have a fun and patriotic day. You don’t have to go all out, but get out the grill for some hotdogs or hamburgers, and serve your favorite sides. Make it special by camping in the backyard, lighting some sparklers and watching a fireworks display.

Q: What time should a Fourth of July party start?

A: You can start your 4^th of July party any time you want, but in general, it’s a good idea to start the celebration around late afternoon. Many firework shows don’t start until after sunset, so if you start your party much earlier, you’re in for a long day! Even if you’re inviting families with young children, there will still be a few hours of daylight before the kids get tired.

Q. How to leave the party early?

A:  Some of your guests might not be in for the long-haul. Whether they have young children with an early bedtime, anxious pets, or even plans later on, let them know ahead of time it’s OK to leave early.

If you find yourself planning to leave early, just let your hosts know when you arrive that you’re not going to stay the whole time. Find more tips to leave a party early (and peacefully) in this blog.

Q: How do you decorate for the 4^th of July?

A: You can use some of the ideas in this blog to decorate for the 4^th of July. Consider a red, white and blue table setting, balloons, banners, American flags and more. You can even decorate your lawn by using construction spray paint to create stars all over the grass. Or, grab some sidewalk chalk and decorate the driveway.

Q: What is the best part of Fourth of July?

A: The best part of July 4^th completely depends on you! If you’re a big foodie, all the BBQ, sides and desserts might be your favorite part. If you’re a fireworks fan, the pyrotechnics might be the best. Or, maybe the best part of July 4^th is getting together with your family and friends to celebrate.

Q: How do kids celebrate 4^th of July?

A: If your Independence Day party is outside, chances are the kids will be running around in the sun and playing games outdoors. But, you can also keep them entertained by letting them help with the decorations, giving them bubbles, crafts and poppers, scavenger hunts, squirt guns, water balloons, or even setting up sprinklers so they can run in the water.

Q: What do you wear to a 4^th of July party?

A: Red, white and blue everything! Get an Independence Day hat or sunglasses, or do your makeup in a festive fashion! If it’s a pool party, remember to bring a swimsuit or your swim trunks.

Wrapping Up: 4^th of July Party Ideas

Hopefully, these party ideas have helped you plan the ultimate Independence Day get-together! Whether you’re keeping it classic with hotdogs and burgers, or going all out with U.S.A. balloons and red, white and blue everywhere, get ready for some 4^th of July fun.

After the big celebration, keep all your Independence Day gear in storage until next year. Just find your nearest Store Space facility with our storage finder.