30 Fun Things to Do This 4th of July Weekend

four friends holding lit sparklers in air, a time honored 4th of july activity
30 Fun Things to Do on 4th of July WeekendCultura RM Exclusive/Rebecca Nelson - Getty Images


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Whoā€™s ready for the best holiday of summer? The 4th of July, aka Independence Day, is right around the corner, which means it's time to start planning how you want to celebrate. Luckily, thereā€™s no shortage of super-fun 4th of July activities and things to do to help you show off your patriotic spirit.

You could go the classic route and celebrate with tried-and-true 4th of July traditions, such as a blowout 4th of July cookout, complete with appetizers, salads, drinks, desserts, and homespun patriotic decorations, and then cap the evening off by watching a fabulous fireworks show near you. More in a playful mood? Try some 4th of July games, such as a water balloon toss or watermelon bowling. If youā€™re ready to get away from it all, our favorite places to go for the holiday include some of the most charming small towns dotting this country from coast to coast. Or, you can take it easy. Hang a flag, run through a sprinkler with the kids, and brush up on some 4th of July facts (did you know that our cheeky American ancestors celebrated the first Independence Day in 1776 with mock funerals for King George III?).

So thereā€™s no need to feel beholden to the same old same this year! Plan a long holiday weekend filled with new (to you) old-fashioned 4th of July celebration ideas that the whole gang is guaranteed to love. Let the festivities begin!

Top 4th of July Activities

Curate a Patriotic Playlist

Set the mood from the moment you wake up by queuing up a batch of patriotic songs. (P.S. For a little more twang, try our list of the most patriotic country songs.)

4th of july activities patriotic country songs
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Win a Water Balloon Toss

To throw, cup your balloon and toss underhanded. As you and your partner space further apart, increase the height of the balloon's arc and aim for it to peak halfway along its journey. To catch, position yourself directly underneath the balloon in an athletic stance and use two hands or the crooks of your elbows to cradle the balloon into your lap with a soft swoop.

RELATED: 36 DIY Outdoor Games for Kids and Adults

4th of july activities water balloon toss
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Try Square Dancing

This classic American dance form is just as fun in the backyard as it is at a town hall.

4th of july activities square dancing
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Savor Summer Tomatoes

America's most popular summer produce can be the star of your 4th of July cookout with one of these wonderful tomato recipes.

tomato and fontina grilled cheese
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Make Your Own Ice Cream

Always wanted to make your own ice cream? Now's the time! And lucky for you, we've got easy ice cream recipes in every flavor.

brandied cherry and chocolate chunk ice cream
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Plan a Game Night

After the burgers have been eaten and the fireworks display is done, settle in for the evening with a fun game the whole family can play. (Rummy, anyone?)

4th of july activities game night
Brie Williams, styling by Elizabeth Demos

Hang a Flag

And teach the kids about American flag etiquette in the process, including the proper way to fold it when you take it down.

american flag hanging on the front porch of a white shingled country home for the 4th of july
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Watermelon Bowling

Make the quintessential summer fruit part of your 4th of the July festivities with a friendly backyard game of watermelon bowling. (We recommend these refreshing watermelon recipes too!)

RELATED: 37 DIY Outdoor Games for Family Fun

watermelon and bowling pins on the lawn next to a red and white gingham picnic blanket, straw hat, and sunglasses
William Dickey

Cut Flowers for the Table

Head out to the garden in the morning when it's cool and snip blooms for your 4th of July table. Bonus points if you have blue hydrangeas to complement a patriotic color scheme!

red farm table decorated for 4th of july with vases of blue hydrangeas and red lanterns
David Tsay

Craft a Patriotic Wreath

Create this easy and festive DIY decoration with red, white, and blue cardstock.

Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.

RELATED: 25 Patriotic Wreaths to Make for 4th of July

red, white, and blue paper wreath that you can make on 4th of july
Blooming Homestead

Make a Water Park at Home

Break out the sprinklers and the garden hose to create a water park in your very own backyard. You can also create a simple obstacle course, which will keep kids entertained (and cool!) for hours.

RELATED: 5 Best Lawn Sprinklers for Every Size Yard

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group of four children playing around a sprinkler in a garden on 4th of july
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Take a Hike

Hit the local nature trails, orā€”with 4th of July falling on a long weekend this yearā€”make a day trip out of it. See our definitive guide to the 50 best U.S. hikes including one in your state.

father with kids enjoy beauty of the woods
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Go Camping in Your Backyard

Can't make it to a real campsite this year? Try a little backyard tent camping instead. Once your cookout's died down, watch fireworks from the comfort of sleeping bags and cap off the night with some (not super scary) ghost stories before sleeping under the stars.

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4th of july activities backyard camping
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Watch a Patriotic Movie Outside

Weather permitting, set up an outdoor movie theater and cozy seating on your lawn, then sit back and relax with some of the best 4th of July flicks. Of course, if it rains, you can easily move the festivities, popcorn and all, into the family room.

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4th of july activities outdoor movie
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Create a Care Package for Our Service Men and Women

Set aside time during Independence Day weekend to create a care package to send to members of the military. UPS offers free kits and you can see a list of things to include via organizations like Soldier's Angels.

young boy preparing care package for us troops
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Plan a Soda Float Social

Country Living contributor Lauren Akins helped dream up this genius summer idea, which is perfect for fending off the July heat and keeping your crew refreshed. Channel the 4th of July from decades past with glass soda bottles and a vintage-inspired bar cart.

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4th of july activities soda float social
Brian Woodcock

Take a Family Bike Ride

Your family can have your very own parade by decorating your bikes with flags, streamers, and ribbons, and setting off together for a few casual laps around the block. The ride will help everyone work up an appetite before the celebratory barbecue.

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4th of july activities family bike ride
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Make an Unforgettable Dinner

It's America's birthday, which calls for a special meal to celebrate. Whip up an incredible multi-course dinner for your family that both kids and adults will enjoy.

RELATED: 4th of July Menus to Please Every Palate

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friends preparing dinner together in kitchen for 4th of july
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Host a Sing-Along

Break out kid-friendly musical instruments like kazoos and tambourines and host a family sing-along of 4th of July tunes like "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful" around the campfire.

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usa, utah, garden city, father with children sitting in front of campfire and playing guitar
Erik Isakson/Tetra Images - Getty Images

Play Patriotic Games

Spark some fun family competition with Independence Day-inspired games, like stars-and-stripes tic-tac-toe or a red, white, and blue-themed water balloon toss. Should the weather not pan out, you can also keep kids entertained inside with a round of Go Fishā€”from a patriotic card deck, of course.

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4th of july activities fun games
DAVID TSAY

Dine Al Fresco

This year, make use of your grill or outdoor kitchen and plan a holiday meal while enjoying your most clever back patio decorating ideas.

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4th of july activities outdoor family dinner
? 2014 Lisa Romerein

Create 4th of July Cocktails

Mix up some patriotic-themed cocktails and toast the good old U.S.A.

RELATED: 4th of July Drinks That Your Party Absolutely Needs

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4th of july activities cocktails
The Fitchen

Go for a Family Picnic

Grab your picnic basket and head for the backyard. This is the best time of year to enjoy a simple alfresco meal with your family. (Hey, maybe you can even convince your kids to leave their cell phones inside!)

RELATED: Delightful Picnic Food Ideas to Make All Summer Long

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fourth of july picnic being enjoyed by a family
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Watch the Fireworks

Whether you're catching a local fireworks display near you or making a special trip to see one of the best fireworks shows in the country, this 4th of July activity is timeless. Staying in? You can always stock up on sparklers and have your own patriotic light show in the backyard.

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4th of july fireworks show
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Throw a Family Pool Party

Gather the kids and cool down in the water on the hot summer day. If you don't have a pool, get out the sprinkler. Or if you're feeling especially ambitious, you can look into stock tank pools.

RELATED: 18 Best Swimming Pool Games to Play This Summer

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4th of july activities pool
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Make a Red, White, and Blue Treat

Show your patriotic spirit by whipping up some tasty stars and stripes-themed desserts. Bonus: Frosting is a fun way to get your kids in the kitchen.

RELATED: Easy 4th of July Desserts

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patriotic cupcakes decorated with red, white, and blue sugar and little american flags on wooden picks, all on a raised porcelain tray
Charles Schiller

Play Ball

Break out the mitts, find a ball, and batter up! It's time for your homage to America's favorite past-time with your own family ball game. You can even get personalized jerseys or hats made.

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large american flag on baseball field
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Make DIY Decorations Together

Decorate your entire home (inside and out) with DIY red, white, and blue decorations. Get the whole family to pitch in and make their own statement pieces.

RELATED: 4th of July Crafts to Get in the Holiday Spirit

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red, white and blue crafts you might plan for a 4th of july activity including painted mason jar votives, a garland of tied ribbon scraps, and denim pennants spelling out usa
COURTESY OF A PUMPKIN AND A PRINCESS

Host a Barbecue

Gather the kids together and make a plan to create the ultimate backyard barbecue. Get decked out in red, white, and blue, and make patriotic dishes that you can enjoy all day long.

RELATED: Our Favorite Grilling Recipes for Backyard Barbecues and Beyond

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people around on a grill at a 4th of july barbecue
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Enjoy S'mores Around a Campfire

Head for the backyard fire pit armed with all kinds of fixings you can use to enhance your ingenious s'mores recipes. Sit around the fire and enjoy the chocolatey goo!

RELATED: Easy Camping Recipes for Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors

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marshmallows on sticks being roasted over an open camp fire
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