The Best Fourth of July Traditions For Families
It’s no secret that I love holiday traditions. Christmas traditions, Halloween traditions, birthday traditions; I love them all! What’s better than making memories with your loved ones and looking forward to doing the same exciting activities the following year?! So today, I’m sharing 14 of the best Fourth of July traditions to start with your family.
These Fourth of July traditions are easy, budget-friendly, and perfect to start with your kids. There’s no hard prep work, no stress, just everything you need to make long-lasting memories.
Let’s get started!
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1. Attend a Local Parade
First on our Fourth of July traditions list is attending a local parade. There’s something unique about getting together with your community to start your holiday celebration! Not to mention, attending a parade is a straightforward (and free!) activity that kids will especially love.
2. Dress in Red, White, and Blue
Another fun way to get the day started is to dress only in red, white, and blue clothes. You can even take this a step further to see who in your family can make the most festive outfit!
Also, it can be fun to get some blank tee shirts and some craft supplies and decorate them as a family. If you choose to do this, remember to take pictures to reflect on the following year!
3. Hang the American Flag
Hanging the American flag is another great way to kick off your Fourth of July celebration.
Because the Fourth of July is all about celebrating American independence, hanging the flag serves as a great reminder of what this holiday is all about.
If you don’t have a place to hang a large flag, these garden-sized flags are another great alternative.
4. Have a BBQ
It’s no secret that Fourth of July and BBQs go hand in hand. So, why not take the BBQ tradition and make it your own?
You can have each person in your family come up with a side dish or make it a tradition to have all of your family’s favorites. Whichever way you decide will be great!
5. Light Some Fireworks (Or Attend a Show)
Celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is another customary tradition. The terrific thing about fireworks is that there are many ways to celebrate with them.
If you live in an area that allows fireworks, you can light them yourself. But, if you live in a city with restrictions on fireworks, you can find a local show to go to.
Going to a fireworks show is always excellent. They are usually more over-the-top than something that you would prepare at home, and there is something special about watching the fireworks with your loved ones.
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6. Have A Sparkler Showoff
A Fourth of July celebration is not complete without a box of sparklers to light!
Growing up, we would light sparklers once the sun had set and it was dark out; it was always my favorite part of the night! My brother and I would try to draw unique shapes in the air or write our names with them. It was always so much fun.
7. Discuss the Holiday With Your Kids
Talking to your kids about the meaning behind any holiday is a great way to connect and learn together. A perfect way to discuss holidays with younger kids is to read books.
While you can find many books about the Fourth of July, here are some great options to get you started:
- The Fourth of July Picnic
- The Night Before the Fourth of July
- Curious George: Parade Day
- America the Beautiful
- Fourth of July
8. Have a Bonfire
Having a bonfire with your friends and family is a cozy way to celebrate while keeping warm after the sun goes down. It can also help keep pesky mosquitos away while you relax outdoors. Plus, who doesn’t love making the perfect S’more around a fire?
If you don’t want a permanent fire pit in your yard, a portable fire pit like this one is a fantastic option. It’s a smokeless fire pit, so you don’t have to worry about moving out of the smoke. Plus, it’s not too big so that it won’t take up too much room on your patio or yard.
Remember: Always keep safety in mind when you have bonfires with children present.
9. Make Some Patriotic Treats
One of my favorite Fourth of July traditions with kids is making festive treats. Whether it’s cupcakes with red, white, and blue frosting or decorating patriotically-shaped sugar cookies, you can’t go wrong!
Not to mention, baking with kids can encourage math skills, creativity, and motor skill development!
10. Face Painting for the Kids
In addition to wearing only red, white, and blue clothing, getting some face paint for the kids can take it to the next level.
What’s great about this face paint is that it has everything you’ll need for festive Fourth of July facepaint, but it will also come in handy when Halloween rolls around.
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11. Get Outside!
Because the Fourth of July is in the middle of summer, it’s a great idea to plan some exciting outdoor activities.
Whether it’s an extended activity, like camping, or just planning outdoor games, getting outside will be a fun way to spend the day.
Growing up, we always had cornhole (like this one) out to play throughout the day. The fun thing about having yard games is that you can break them out at any outdoor get-together, and everyone will surely have fun!
12. Have Some Water-Themed Fun
If you are interested in spending the holiday outside but you’re looking for a cooler way to have fun, water activities might be perfect for you!
There are many ways to cool off on the Fourth of July, like going to a local pool or lake or having a water balloon (we love these reusable water balloons!) or water gun fight.
13. Have a Block Party
If you are friends with your neighbors (or want to be), having a block party is a fantastic way to get everyone together for a substantial celebration!
You can have each family choose something to bring for a BBQ, and if you are allowed to light fireworks, everyone can pitch in to create an incredible show.
14. Create Some Festive Crafts
If your family is the creative kind, choosing some simple and fun crafts to do can be a great way to spend time together.
You can make decorations to hang up for your BBQ in the afternoon, or you can find simpler crafts like patriotic coloring pages, for example. Anything you choose will be fun, and if you need some inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to start!
15. Host a Scavenger Hunt
Celebrating the Fourth of July with kids can be a lot of fun, and hosting a scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to add some excitement to the day.
Once the scavenger hunt begins, the kids eagerly search for the hidden treasures, their excitement growing with each discovery. I find that the scavenger hunt not only keeps the kids entertained but it also teaches them to work together and problem-solve as a team.
At the end of the hunt, the kids can show off their newfound treasures, and it’s an excellent opportunity to gather together and share stories of their adventures.
To make this activity even easier, check out this printable scavenger hunt! You can have it outside or bring it indoors by hiding the included picture cards around the house.
I hope you enjoyed these fun Fourth of July traditions! Whether you start one of them or start them all, I know your family will have a wonderful holiday!
Before you go, check out these related articles:
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- Fun New Year’s Eve Traditions For Families
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- Adorable Mother’s Day Interview Question For Kids
What are your favorite Fourth of July traditions? I would love to know in the comments below!
We love celebrating the 4th at our house!!! I also love the idea of having a block party to celebrate! Great suggestion!!!
Our go-to used to be fireworks, but we’ve distanced it since having kids! We’ll have to try some of these cool ideas!
Great list! Love the children’s books recommendations. The water fight is a must especially for how hot the 4th usually is here in the midwest!
Great ideas for family fun time.