Red, White & Blue! 25 Fun and Easy 4th of July Activities for Kids

Fourth of July means fireworks, parades, BBQs, and plenty of family fun!

Keep your kids entertained with these 25 fun and easy 4th of July activities, including colorful crafts and easy-to-make recipes and decorations.

How to Host a Family-Friendly 4th of July Party

Hosting a family-friendly 4th of July celebration doesn’t have to be difficult. Just keep these 6 important tips in mind:

1. Invite friends and family early to make sure that most of them will be able to attend. Send a formal invitation or just reach out with a quick text or phone call.
2. Food and beverages are a must! Try one of our kid-approved food ideas below. If you prefer not to do everything yourself, have guests bring something to share.
3. The 4th of July is a celebration and that calls for some colorful decorations. Hit up your local dollar store for some fun finds or make them yourself from our list of 4^th of July party decorations below.
4. Make sure everyone has a place to sit and relax and enjoy their food. If you don’t have enough seating, you can borrow some tables and chairs.
5. Consider the weather by having a spot where people can cool off or stay dry if the weather calls for rain.
6. Keep the fun going all day long by preparing activities that will keep everyone entertained.

To help you get started, we’ve put together plenty of inspiration for festive decor, delicious food and drinks, and activities that will keep kids of all ages happy!

5 4th of July Party Decorations Kids Can Make

1. Fourth of July Paper Craft Banner | The Gingerbread House – Commemorate the 4th with this colorful paper banner craft.
2. Easy 4th of July Wreath | DIY Candy – This might be the easiest wreath you’ll ever make, and it’s made from duct tape!
3. Patriotic Recycled Tin Can Wind Chimes | Creative Green Living – Transform a few recycled tin cans into festive Independence Day decor.
4. Create a Watermelon Centerpiece – Carve the outside of a watermelon just like you would a pumpkin to make a fun centerpiece for the 4th. You can carve stars or “Happy 4th!” and stick some American flag toothpicks in for a little extra flare!
5. Paper Pinwheels | Polka Dot Chair – Help your kids assemble these colorful paper pinwheels. They will look festive gathered in Mason jars or sticking out of planters.

7 Kid-Approved 4th of July Food Ideas

Keep the entire crew refreshed with these 7 kid-approved 4th of July food ideas.

1. Patriotic Breakfast Parfaits | The Bakermama – Start your 4th off with these easy-to-assemble patriotic breakfast parfaits.
2. Bake a 4th of July Flag Cake – Your kids will love creating their very own flag cake. Bake up a box cake mix in a 9×13 inch pan and top with frosting, fresh fruit, or sprinkles.
3. Patriotic Berry Marshmallow Kabobs | Campfire Marshmallows – Your kids will love assembling, and eating, these fruity and sweet patriotic kabobs.
4. Patriotic Popcorn | Two Sisters – If your family loves popcorn, they’ll love this version. It’s sweet, salty, and full of red, white, and blue candy.
5. Firecracker Hotdogs | Popsugar Food – This twist on pigs in a blanket is perfectly patriotic and will look festive on your table.
6. Red, White, and Blueberry Fruit Salad | Allrecipes – Refreshing and easy to make, this fruit salad can be enjoyed on the 4th or all summer long.
7. Stained Glass Jello Stars | Gimme Some Oven – Jello is more fun when you combine red, white, and blue flavors.

6 Indoor 4th of July Activities for Kids

Beat the summer heat or a sudden shower with these 6 indoor 4th of July activities.

1. Fireworks in a Jar | I Can Teach My Child – Oil, water, and food coloring come together to make a colorful creation that will both teach and entertain.
2. Fizzy Ice Stars | Teaching Mama – Science is the star in this patriotic activity that will please even the youngest family members.
3. Watch some 4th of July Flicks – Gather the whole family, make a big bunch of Patriotic Popcorn, and watch a movie that celebrates America. Choose from movies like American Tail, Captain America, or National Treasure.
4. Make Sparklers | Mommy Poppins – This sparkler wand is both magical and easy-to-make. Most importantly, they’re safer for little hands than their fiery counterparts.
5. Cupcake Liner Firework Craft | A Little Pinch of Perfect – So simple, but so much fun! These fireworks will look like they’re bursting off the page.
6. Star Spangled Slime | I Can Teach My Kids – If your kids have been begging to make some slime, this star-spangled version will be an ooey-gooey favorite.

7 Outdoor 4th of July Activities for Kids

Take advantage of the summer weather and try one of these 7 outdoor 4th of July activities.

1. 3-Ingredient Patriotic Sidewalk Chalk | Artsy Fartsy Mama – Your kids will have fun making their very own sidewalk chalk in patriotic red, white, and blue.
2. Have a Campout – If weather permits, create a campsite in your backyard. Put up a tent or just lie under the stars in sleeping bags. Don’t forget the flashlights and the s’mores!
3. Play Ball – Head to the local park, or your own backyard, and pay homage to America’s favorite past-time with a game of baseball.
4. Exploding Pop Rockets | Playdough to Plato – This simple science experiment is perfect for the 4th. It’s a little bit messy, but a lot of fun!
5. Patriotic Bubble Blowers | Pint Sized Treasures – It only takes a few simple materials to put together bubble blowers that will provide hours of fun.
6. Make a Water Park at Home – Break out the sprinklers and the water toys and create your very own water park. Take it up a notch by creating a simple obstacle course.
7. Have Your Own Parade – The entire family will love decorating bikes, scooters, or wagons with streamers, ribbons, and American flags then parading around the block, or the entire neighborhood, to share their patriotic spirit!

We hope this post provided a little red, white, and blue inspiration!