Holidays are fun, and a good time to spend with family and friends if you can swing the time off, traveling expenses, and traffic.
You can make this Fourth of July memorable without ever leaving your driveway!
Get creative, and bring your friends and family to you. Especially with the holiday falling in the middle of the week, having a backyard bash may work better for everyone.
Here are some top-notch ideas that are sure to be a crowd pleaser. With all the laughter, delicious cuisine, and good company you won’t even miss the overcrowded excursions.
Host a BBQ
This may sound like a typical event with nothing special about it, but there are ways you can make your BBQ unique.
Try grilling something other than the typical burgers and hotdogs, like seasoned squash, peaches, and asparagus.
You can also take turns on the grill, having your friends bring their favorite grilled recipes, so you have an assortment of food you can experiment with and discuss.
Re-enactment
There’s no better way to remember what Independence Day is all about than to act out some of the scenes that made it possible.
Kids love dressing up and being active in a learning process. Get some old wigs and some 1700’s garb to get the feel of the era.
Each child can take on the persona of one of the pivotal figures who signed the Declaration of Independence. Have them do a little research ahead of time to get into character.
Movie Night
In lieu of fireworks, or prior to the big explosion, you can invite the neighborhood over for an outdoor movie on a big projector in the backyard.
Get the lawn chairs out, pop some popcorn, and pass out sparklers to the kids. Make sure to have a conversation on sparkler safety with older children and keep the sparklers from tiny hands.
There’s nothing like an evening under the stars to appreciate all the freedoms around you.
Some good flicks for Fourth of July would be Independence Day starring Will Smith, or Top Gun starring Tom Cruise.
Backyard Carnival
No need to seek out the best fairs and events in the area this holiday when you can create your own right in the backyard.
Set up an adult and children’s slip and slide, kiddie pools, hula hoops, and outdoor games. You can have corn hole tournaments, and a water balloon fight to get the whole party involved.
Don’t forget your decorations. Put up red, white and blue streamers, have fun cups and plates, and don’t forget the specialty drinks.
Reader’s digest highlighted two fun drinks to try this holiday that are sure to be a hit.
Put frozen watermelon, strawberries, apples, and blueberries in cold tonic water. This adds color and flavor to the normal drinks while adding a fun way to keep the water cool.
For another unique display, fill a glass one-third of the way full with red cranberry juice, then add ice. Pour one cup of pina colada mix in, and then top off with a blue sports drink.
The different densities ensure the colors stay put; making a red, white, and blue drink the kids won’t be able to get enough of.
Date Night
We all know too well how schedules fill fast, and life never seems to slow down. Look into taking an evening alone with your spouse.
Having a romantic candlelight dinner in on the deck with take-out could be just what you both needed to slow things down a bit.
Family night would be another option if you will have the kids with you. You can grill out, play an epic Nerf gun fight, and then top the night off with board games.
Backyard Camping
Typically every family loves camping and the bonding experience associated with the fun event, but not everyone has the time to pack the gear and head out to the mountains.
Get the tents, fire pit, and s’more sticks out of the garage and set up your own campsite right in the backyard.
You can sing songs around the fire, pick out constellations, and tell your favorite stories before falling asleep under the stars.
The options are endless when planning your own memorable holiday, so have fun with it. Don’t stress over the details, but remember why we celebrate the Fourth of July.
Our country has come a long way since signing the Declaration of Independence, and our freedoms are still something not to be taken for granted.
Have fun with the people you love, be safe, and enjoy your day off and your family. You may find a new family tradition this Fourth of July that trumps all others.
(h/t Mommy Underground)