Hi Friends! 🙂
IÂ received the following note in my mailbag…
Dear Cindy,
Any suggestions for 4th of July Family Fun? I would like to do some fun things, but not sure where to start. You are my “party go to expert”….
I’m so glad you asked, dear friend! I am in 4th of July planning mode (my family would tell you I get a little excited about the 4th) ~ and would love to share my family~friendly ideas with you!
I’ve already pulled out our 4th of July books. This is my favorite…..
I’ve also stocked up on 4th of July t-shirts (it’s a tradition, everyone gets a new 4th of July shirt from Target or Old Navy ~ for $4 you can’t beat it!).
I purchased cheap red, white, and blue nail polish, and my girls and I will give each other festive pedicures before the big day! ( Nail ideas here)
And how will our family celebrate on the 4th of July??
Typically, I get up early and head to the bakery for festive doughnuts (we rarely have doughnuts in the morning, so this is a special treat).
Here’s a fun early morning picture from a few years ago….
Next we head to a local 4th of July Parade. I love it!
We invite lots of friends and family, and have a mini “tail gate” before the parade starts. I bring a basket filled with doughnuts, juice, fruit, etc.. and lots of festive napkins.
For the kids, I stock a bag filled with color sheets, paper lunch bags to catch the candy (and markers for them to decorate the bag while we wait for the parade to start).
I also bring the nail polish again (and paint more toes while we wait), tattoos, leis, and mini flags. If you haven’t guessed ~ I am a kid magnet that day (and love every minute of it!!)
In the afternoon, we fill our day with …
Crafts ~ideas here or here or here
Coloring Sheets, Word Searches, Mazes ~
Games ~ Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without 4th of July BINGO with red, white, and blue M & M’s ~ here
We spend late afternoon celebrating with dear friends and family. Typically I need to bring side dishes along, so here are some of my favorite simple kid-friendly food ideas…
* Red and blue finger jello (star shaped, of course)
* Cupcakes for the kids (Fun Recipe here and here)
* Flag cake (Recipe here) Always a huge hit!
And then, of course, it wouldn’t be the 4th without fireworks!!
Whew!! What a day ~ I can hardly wait!!
Do you have any tradition or family fun ideas to celebrate the 4th?? Share with us please ~ I’d love to hear from you!!!
Have a wonderful, joy-filled 4th of July!! May I encourage you to “mark this moment” in some special way. Your kids will remember. You will remember. 🙂
Many blessings to you!!
P.S. My celebration ideas are obviously very kid-friendly. If you’re looking for more “grown up” recipe ideas, there are more great recipes here.
You’re such a great mom! I love these ideas!
Great ideas, as always, Cindy! I love our local 4th of July parade. It’s one big social gathering seeing our friends and neighbors on the sidelines or actually walking in the parade. Our parade was last Saturday, believe it or not, and this was the first year none of my kids were marching. It was nice to just be a spectator. Happy 4th of July!