7 Simple Ideas for July 4th Fun
The Aquafresh brand has compensated me in connection with the statements made in this post.
Independence Day in the United States is a unique holiday in that it occurs during the lazy months of summer.
While holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas often feel rushed and frantic because they fall right in the middle of the busy school year, 4th of July celebrations are usually more relaxed to match the slower pace of the season.
With that in mind, these seven simple ideas for July 4th fun will help make your family’s Independence Day special while still keeping with the laid back, no-fuss vibe the holiday usually has.
7 Simple Ideas for July 4th Fun
1. Enjoy a red, white, and blue breakfast.
Start the day off on a patriotic note with a red, white, and blue morning meal. Try a parfait made with layers of vanilla yogurt, blueberries, and strawberries. Or for something more decadent, top a stack of pancakes with blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream or powdered sugar.
2. Play some patriotic-themed games.
A round of Independence Day Bingo is fun even for preschool-age kids. You can create your own customized bingo cards or use this free printable for Patriotic Bingo from Blooming Homestead.
Or get the kids moving with a round of Red, White, and Blue Tag. Just give each child a token or chip that’s either red, white, or blue. When someone is tagged, they must give their chip to the person who tagged them. The first one to collect a red, white, and blue chip wins!
3. Make a super simple flag craft with your kids.
Help your kids construct an American flag out of anything from drinking straws to paper chains. Kids Activities Blog has a great list of 30 American flag crafts, including this easy Popsicle stick flag from Glued to My Crafts—perfect for toddlers!
4. Create care packages for the troops.
Creating care packages for those in the military is a great way to open up a conversation with your kids about the role those in the military play in keeping people safe, both here and abroad. And of course it’s a perfect service project in the spirit of Independence Day. Check out this helpful list of what deployed troops really want in their care packages.
5. Host a neighborhood bike parade.
Round up all the kiddos on your block for a classic Independence Day bike and trike parade. The kids can adorn their bikes (and their helmets!) with red, white, and blue stars and streamers (making sure they can’t get caught in the bike spokes, of course). Then they pedal away to show off their decked-out, patriotic rides to all the neighbors.
6. Be flexible about fireworks.
If you grew up watching fireworks every 4th of July, you probably can’t wait for your kids to enjoy them as well. But sometimes we forget that fireworks can be downright terrifying for little ones! So prepare your children as best you can—explaining what fireworks are, why we enjoy watching them, and why they’re perfectly safe. Then consider choosing a low-key spot for viewing them, one that isn’t too close or too loud.
And always remain flexible. If your child is obviously not enjoying the show, shrug it off and try again next year.
7. Don’t fret over extra indulgences.
As with most holidays, the 4th of July is a time for enjoying special sweets and treats—but we well-meaning parents get frantic when we see our kids reaching for an extra cupcake. It’s our job to keep them healthy, and the last thing we want is for our kids to get cavities from too much sugar.
Fortunately, new Aquafresh® Multi Action Whitening toothpaste comes with Sugar Acid Protection (provided by active fluoride) to strengthen and shield teeth against the key cause of cavities*: sugar acid from everyday foods and drinks.
What that means is that Aquafresh® is basically a safety net for parents —providing essential cavity protection so you can relax and let your kids (and yourself!) indulge a bit this 4th of July.
How do you celebrate the 4th of July with your kids? Tell me in the comments and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!
Be sure to stay connected with Aquafresh® on Facebook and Twitter!
*With twice daily brushing
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Jun 01, 2016 @ 22:48:19
we like to have a pool party in our house
Jun 01, 2016 @ 23:05:57
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/738204896541835265
Jun 02, 2016 @ 00:50:01
We go watch the local fireworks together
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
Jun 02, 2016 @ 00:50:32
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/738231231574384640
Jun 02, 2016 @ 07:28:42
We will watch the fireworks on our boat! They are even more incredible when you are on the water. We also love to have a 4th of July cooking contest among my family!
Jun 02, 2016 @ 07:29:34
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/738331651575414785
Jun 02, 2016 @ 07:49:32
We usually celebrate the 4th with a day near water whether it’s the pool, the beach, or the lake and 9 times out of 10 the day ends with some fireworks. My kids are older now so they enjoy the show, but when they were babies it was definitely too loud for them!
Jun 02, 2016 @ 08:30:10
We celebrate the 4th of July by going to a big lake close to where I live and having a big picnic with the family. We swim. play volley ball and eat and have fun all day!
Jun 02, 2016 @ 08:30:40
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/738347036957806592
Jun 02, 2016 @ 10:52:27
We have a family cookout for the fourth. then as a family we go down to the lake to watch fireworks.
Jun 02, 2016 @ 11:15:21
We like fireworks with our kids. They’re older now so we can do some fun ones with them in our backyard where we live. Not too crazy or too big, though!
Jun 02, 2016 @ 11:17:27
What an amazing list of fun fourth of july fun. I really like the pancakes.
Jun 02, 2016 @ 11:35:03
We usually visit my parents for a BBQ on the 4th. My dad lights some fireworks.
Jun 02, 2016 @ 11:36:14
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/738393666193100800
Jun 02, 2016 @ 14:49:36
There are so many great things to do for the 4th of July!! Fireworks are always a hit.
Jun 02, 2016 @ 15:47:27
We always watch the fireworks together and let the kids light up the little burners. Plus we enjoy swimming at either the lake or in a pool
Jun 02, 2016 @ 17:32:30
We like to get sparklers and fireworks and set them off in the back yard.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 00:25:43
I often steer clear of fireworks for my little ones. So much better not to push it at that age!
Jun 03, 2016 @ 08:00:03
These are GREAT ideas, the pancake pic is so yummy looking! We always visit my brother and his family on a lake in SC!
Jun 03, 2016 @ 10:05:19
We usually either have a BBQ or go to a BBQ and then go see fireworks in whatever town we are in assuming we can’t see them from the person’s backyard.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 10:09:48
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/738734368919814144
Jun 03, 2016 @ 11:23:40
We hang out at home and have a BBQ with fireworks later on.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 11:24:31
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/738753128212758529
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Jun 03, 2016 @ 11:29:07
We have our family over so the kids can swim with their cousins and at night we ride our bikes downtown to watch the fireworks display.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 11:29:41
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/738754395094016000.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 11:43:57
We have a cookout and go see the fireworks.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 12:34:19
We will be going to the Plaza to watch the Fireworks !
shebebes@yahoo.com
Jun 03, 2016 @ 12:36:44
tweeted https://twitter.com/JAIVIANSMOMMY/status/738771042643116032
Jun 03, 2016 @ 12:42:20
Depends. We either spend it at my aunts how doing a bbq and fireworks or we take the kids somewhere to watch fireworks.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 13:19:08
We always dress in red white and blue, then we go to the local fireworks and meet up with friends
Jun 03, 2016 @ 13:24:52
https://twitter.com/mlklingen/status/73878287926260531
Jun 03, 2016 @ 13:25:57
https://twitter.com/mlklingen/status/738782879262605312, tweeted
Jun 03, 2016 @ 18:01:24
We usually have a family barbecue in our backyard.
Jun 03, 2016 @ 22:41:00
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/738923399595069441
Jun 03, 2016 @ 22:42:47
We watch fireworks on campus. We ride or walk there!
Jun 04, 2016 @ 03:35:22
We usually have a cookout with family. We then go see fireworks; ) thanks for the chance!
Jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Jun 04, 2016 @ 06:22:12
We kick off our celebration by going to a local 4th of July parade. Guess you can say its a family tradition.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 06:27:52
We have a really big bridge, and everyone gets on it to watch fireworks. We also cook out.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 06:28:30
https://twitter.com/AudreyS23511436/status/739040701363716096
Jun 04, 2016 @ 07:12:13
I will stay at home watch TV
Jun 04, 2016 @ 08:36:25
Fireworks viewing from backyard
Jun 04, 2016 @ 08:58:42
https://twitter.com/star2moons/status/739078829189238784
Jun 04, 2016 @ 08:59:19
For the 4th of July, we watch fireworks at our local minor league stadium
Jun 04, 2016 @ 09:35:09
https://twitter.com/VicVac7/status/739088035254525952
Jun 04, 2016 @ 11:11:41
right now I think we will have an outdoor celebration to watch the fireworks
Jun 04, 2016 @ 12:01:00
The care package for the troops is just a fantastic idea, so gonna do that one!
Jun 04, 2016 @ 14:13:21
we usually swim with the family, celebrate at a local park and end the night with fireworks!
Jun 04, 2016 @ 14:15:19
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/739158209231884290
Jun 04, 2016 @ 14:33:21
We have a family bbq.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 15:30:11
We either go tot he river or have fireworks and barbecue at home with friends.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 15:47:17
Our family loves to watch the fireworks together! 🙂
Jun 04, 2016 @ 15:48:32
Tweeted – https://twitter.com/lauralynnrose/status/739181977782259712
Jun 04, 2016 @ 15:59:51
We have a 4th of July parade at our cottage community, all of the kids decorate themselves and bikes.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 18:10:48
We usually go to a family bbq.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 19:01:15
We do different things every year. Sometimes we go to a baseball game, go camping, see fireworks, attend the rodeo…it varies from year to year.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 19:02:38
We usually go to the park and bbq and fly kites.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 19:04:11
https://twitter.com/sweeper785/status/739231124174471169
tweeted
Jun 04, 2016 @ 19:24:20
We may have a cook out and watch the fireworks.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 19:41:29
https://twitter.com/RenaldDeb/status/739239801061277697
Jun 04, 2016 @ 21:12:46
We always go to a local golf course with our neighbors. They have a fabulous fire works display and we all bring yummy treats to share.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 21:16:39
Shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/MrsMChappell/status/739264362389606401
Jun 04, 2016 @ 21:42:06
We gather with friends and family and bbq and watch fireworks.
Jun 04, 2016 @ 23:28:43
We usually go to my cousin’s house and have a family get-together. They have a nice pool and we set off fireworks in the street after having a nice barque.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 03:08:55
We usually take a trip to the park to watch the fireworks show!
Jun 05, 2016 @ 03:09:41
https://twitter.com/littodinoz/status/739352904654565380
Jun 05, 2016 @ 09:19:40
Lots of stars and stripes baking and arts and crafts! It’s such a fun craft “holiday”
Jun 05, 2016 @ 14:10:20
We celebrate by going to the fireworks display together!
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:18:17
We go to the park for our town’s local fireworks event. They have games, carnival rides, food vendors and a fireworks show.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:18:38
https://twitter.com/cochran_maryann/status/739551732036829185
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:30:53
We have family over and play games such as bocce ball.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:35:52
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/739556293552152576
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:54:41
we celebrate July 4th with great food, usually BBQ and watch fireworks from the city.
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
Jun 05, 2016 @ 16:55:39
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/739561215140073472
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
Jun 05, 2016 @ 22:06:33
We like to have a family BBQ on the 4th of July every year.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 22:10:10
We have backyard BBQ party with friends and family.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jun 05, 2016 @ 22:10:41
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/739640348033458177
Jun 05, 2016 @ 22:51:10
We have a BBQ and go to see fireworks if they are nearby.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 22:52:46
https://twitter.com/XArea51/status/739651151595855873
Jun 06, 2016 @ 09:18:34
We like to celebrate with a family cook-out!
Jun 06, 2016 @ 14:47:04
We spend the day with the grandparents at our house, have a bbq, and watch the fireworks at night from the yard.
Jun 06, 2016 @ 21:29:43
I am working on The Fourth of July. I work with developmentally disabled individuals, and I get to take one of them to see the fireworks It will be fun!
Jun 06, 2016 @ 21:32:42
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/tracylr233/status/739993146247909376
Jun 06, 2016 @ 21:40:37
We have a cook out and then go watch firework shows
Jun 06, 2016 @ 23:50:38
Fireworks! I loved them as a kid and still love them now. The kids love them too.
Jun 06, 2016 @ 23:51:50
https://twitter.com/bagelburrito/status/740028339298013184
Jun 07, 2016 @ 11:54:49
I don’t have any kids of my own but usually for the 4th of July my family and I head up to northern Wisconsin to my Aunt and Uncle’s cabin and celebrate in the Northwoods. We love it up there!
Jun 07, 2016 @ 12:08:57
We’ll have a family cookout and grill everyone’s favorites.
Jun 07, 2016 @ 12:10:31
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/740214189700964353
Jun 07, 2016 @ 18:32:00
We celebrate by bbqing and swimming at my sisters house.
Jun 08, 2016 @ 21:15:18
Every year we go to a friend of the family’s house and have a cookout, swim and watch fireworks!
Jun 09, 2016 @ 10:36:12
Our 4th of July weekend is always fun! For 29 years now, we host a big crab feast for all our friends & family! It has really changed from a big singles party to a family event with kids & parents everywhere! Always a great time!
Jun 09, 2016 @ 10:37:13
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/amweeks/status/740915566685388800
Jun 10, 2016 @ 22:11:52
It’s my brother’s birthday, so we celebrate with a cookout and cake!
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Jun 13, 2016 @ 11:16:10
I always take my two little ones up camping and fishing at the lake,we roast hot dogs and make s’mores.they get to take a friend of their choice also.We always have a great time on the 4th of july
Jun 15, 2016 @ 00:03:27
We celebrate with a neighborhood cookout and fireworks.
Jun 15, 2016 @ 18:59:13
We just got to the park to have a picnic and to watch the fireworks.
Jun 16, 2016 @ 21:31:20
we have a BBQ party with friends and family and go watch fireworks show at downtown!
Jun 16, 2016 @ 21:31:45
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/743617042713026560
Jun 17, 2016 @ 04:06:54
We always enjoy a big barbecue with family and friends followed by a local fireworks show.
Jun 17, 2016 @ 04:09:30
tweet – https://twitter.com/littlebird_xo/status/743715862616563712
Jun 17, 2016 @ 16:36:59
We love to go and watch the fireworks together.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Jun 17, 2016 @ 16:38:33
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/743905528024301568
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Jun 18, 2016 @ 19:15:38
We celebrate in the mornings by taking the kids to the parade and then we have friends and family over for a bbq and lots of water activities to keep them cool and happy and then we go to the fireworks show at the lake!
Jun 18, 2016 @ 19:16:13
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/744307249829548032
Jun 20, 2016 @ 18:52:23
https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/745026312230834176
Jun 20, 2016 @ 18:53:47
I enjoy celebrating fin our backyard with friends and family. Great time of year to swim and bbq.
Jun 23, 2016 @ 11:08:49
We love to have a picnic with family and play games outside. truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com
Jun 23, 2016 @ 11:10:06
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/745996354795667456 truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com
Jun 25, 2016 @ 18:18:39
We go to the family’s cabin on the lake with the whole family!
Jun 25, 2016 @ 18:35:57
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/746834115807297536
Jun 25, 2016 @ 19:55:11
We enjoy a big family bbq.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Jun 25, 2016 @ 19:56:48
tweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/746854581154414592
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Jun 25, 2016 @ 22:21:08
We do crafts and play games and they get to do sparklers.
Jun 25, 2016 @ 22:21:49
Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/746891044961169408
Jun 25, 2016 @ 22:56:58
We enjoy watching a parade and the fireworks!
Jun 25, 2016 @ 23:01:27
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/746900991350538240
Jun 26, 2016 @ 23:18:24
We go to the concert and big fireworks show our town has every year.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 09:42:08
the family wears red, white and blue and watches the fireworks together!
Jun 27, 2016 @ 19:49:51
when my nephew comes over we eat bbq and and watch fireworks
Jun 27, 2016 @ 19:50:30
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/747576073836179456
Jun 27, 2016 @ 22:04:55
We celebrate the fourth by having a BBQ in our backyard.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 22:08:44
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/747611978231754752
Jun 27, 2016 @ 22:35:21
I am going to celebrate by watching the fireworks show with my kids
Jun 27, 2016 @ 22:36:51
https://twitter.com/spillerkustoms/status/747619608841060353
Jun 28, 2016 @ 14:39:57
The day is usually spent at the pool. We’ll probably grill something for dinner and then fireworks after the sun goes down 🙂 Sounds like a perfect summer day to me!
Jun 29, 2016 @ 12:47:44
We celebrate by having a barbecue and decorating the house in red, white, & blue.
Jun 29, 2016 @ 12:56:08
My Tweet :
https://twitter.com/fleurprincessa/status/748198187752521729
Jun 29, 2016 @ 16:04:17
We always spend the day at the lake and then watch the fireworks.
Jun 29, 2016 @ 16:06:53
https://twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/748246245261590531
Jun 29, 2016 @ 16:19:03
we go to a family party.
Jun 29, 2016 @ 16:19:46
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/748249558744981505
Jun 29, 2016 @ 22:37:39
We like to celebrate with the kids at the beach on vacation
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Jun 29, 2016 @ 22:38:44
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/748340900489748480
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Jun 30, 2016 @ 00:45:04
We like to have a barbecue and then finish the evening watching the huge fireworks display at the local ball park.
Jun 30, 2016 @ 00:46:37
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/748377023932960768
Jun 30, 2016 @ 03:11:14
surprisingly they enjoy watching the fireworks from the boat with us! =)
Jun 30, 2016 @ 03:14:34
2nd entry https://mobile.twitter.com/Esham4life/status/748413950321168384
Jun 30, 2016 @ 03:17:13
We BBQ and watch the fireworks.
Jun 30, 2016 @ 03:18:32
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/748415054127730688
Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:03:50
I posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/748517272050753536
Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:04:59
we just cook outside on our grill and enjoy our swimming pool
Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:11:23
No children here but, when I was a kid, we always had a cookout at our house with friends and then went to the fireworks locally.
Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:11:49
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/748518427145437184
Jun 30, 2016 @ 16:04:01
Our local Indian casino has fireworks on the 3rd, so we start there. On the 4th it’s a pool party at the inlaws during the day, then off to my brothers at dusk because his house has a great view of the local rec center fireworks.
Jun 30, 2016 @ 16:12:47
tweeted: https://twitter.com/tinawoo21/status/748610151247011841
Jun 30, 2016 @ 17:31:07
No kids. We have a BBQ and then go watch the fireworks.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
Jun 30, 2016 @ 17:34:04
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/748630591487172612
Jun 30, 2016 @ 17:51:55
I celebrate the 4th of July with my nephew by decorating a nice cake with all the red, white and blue frosting on top.
Jun 30, 2016 @ 17:53:44
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/748635453914439681
Jun 30, 2016 @ 19:34:17
We love to go to the fireworks and have a bbq / family get together when we can 🙂 Also, watching the fireworks that the neighbors light off too!
anastasiafalling@gmail.com
Jun 30, 2016 @ 19:35:17
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/748660821924843520
anastasiafalling@gmail.com
Jun 30, 2016 @ 21:44:16
Tweeted-https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/748693370613080064
Jun 30, 2016 @ 21:45:17
I actually celebrate the 4th of July alone as all of my kids are busy with their families.
Jul 06, 2016 @ 14:47:14
Our kids were out of the country this year over the 4th so we celebrated just the two of us.