10 Fun Fourth of July Activities

 


10 Fun Fourth of July Activities

 

The 4th of July is nearly here and, with it, Americans are looking to spend some leisure time outside. With restrictions being lifted thanks to the availability of free vaccines for the majority of adults, people are ready to party or gather with family for Independence Day. If you have built or purchased a new home, hosting a summer BBQ or other event is a great way to celebrate the holiday and showcase your new home. We have a list of suggestions for fun activities, both home-related and others that are more general traditions in case your new home isn't company-ready.

The American summer holidays tend to carry the summer cheer throughout the hottest days of the year. We would expect a large turnout at public parks and events since many people have been stuck inside for months and want some sunshine. Here are 10 activities guaranteed to keep you cool while you celebrate! 

10. Reserve boats, kayaks, or other outdoor equipment at a local park.

Don't own a yacht or other watercraft, but love lakes, the ocean, and time on the shore? There's a strong chance that no matter where you live, there's a park with public access nearby. If you do not have watersports equipment, boats, etc., then many parks generate a lot of income by renting these to the public. For a day fee, you can often rent the equipment and plan a whole day in the water.

We recommend heading to a lake or state park since these often have convenience shops and places to rent equipment to the public. The profits generated from these shops often go into the upkeep of the park. These are also great sites for the major holidays because they frequently have places to camp overnight. At a park, you can plan out the daytime of Independence Day by spending time on the water until dinner, where these parks will have grills and equipment to whip up a feast. 

9. Check your local area for free summer concerts and parades.

If you're not a park person and maybe aren't interested in the outdoors because of bugs and sun exposure, most cities will still plan holiday events. The cities put on these events to celebrate the independence of America from the British colonies. As a result, cities will regularly plan events that incorporate their downtown areas and get approved by city councils. If you look up a guide to your city or your city online, chances are there will be a local parade headed through your downtown. Additionally, many businesses will host special events with free musical guests. Definitely check the online listings or those in the paper to find out what your city is planning. 

8. If you have children, teach them about Independence Day and why it's celebrated. 

American holidays unite us as citizens despite our diverse backgrounds. There's a strong chance that you will have some downtime where you can spend time talking with your kids, whether it be waiting in long lines to use a restroom, or sitting in the car waiting for the fireworks to start. If you have children, you can always use this as an opportunity to talk to them about America's history. 

7. Dress up as Uncle Sam or Lady Liberty. 

If you're an older adult, you might be invited to an American-themed costume party. As kids, most Americans will spend time enjoying fireworks and other free events with their parents and family. By the time young people reach adulthood, it's going to be more common for them to be invited to America-themed parties, or even go to bars where people will sport red, white, and blue outfits. We recommend picking a silly wardrobe and having fun with your attire. 

6. Have an American-themed get-together. 

Again, young adults and particularly college students tend to have more free time in the summer due to a lighter class load. If no one is having an America party, then it's the perfect time to throw one yourself. New homeowners can also benefit from this holiday and show people their new place. The idea behind this event is to release stress and be proud of being American. 

5. Buy sparklers and glow-in-the-dark accessories for safe fun while watching the fireworks. 

Many grocery stores and local places will have fun accessories for watching the fireworks or going out once the sun is down. Independence Day, due to the weather, is an outdoor holiday. We really recommend bug spray and some nifty little Sparkler packets. It will make your friends feel a child-like enthusiasm for the holiday and be a fun way for people to release steam. With these products, there's also no chance of getting in trouble with illegal or dangerous firework setups. 

4. Make some red, white, and blue cocktails. 

There's plenty of recipes on Pinterest to make rocking, American-themed drinks. We recommend this red, white, and blue cocktail and recipe. The layered alcohol looks like one of those rocket ship popsicles that were stacked in red, white, and blue striations. Anyways, this drink is a fun one and would go great for an Independence Day party at a housewarming event. It's classy and fits the theme. 

3. Find somewhere to swim or make it a pool party.

Again, we really cannot stress enough that the trick to having a good 4th of July is spending time outside. People are often outside for this holiday to watch fireworks, take advantage of the local lakes or scenic places, and enjoy themselves. If you have a pool, consider being the host for the get-together, too. Since the Coronavirus, so many people have been cooped up inside and need some Vitamin-D. We also recommend pool parties if you are the event organizer, or just someone who has been invited to a pool party. You might not be used to being outside and being around a pool means that there will likely be beverages and clean bathrooms nearby. 

2. Grill or barbecue a fantastic meal. 

Independence and Memorial Day are the grilling holidays of the year. If you plan on spending the holiday at a public park, try to reserve a pavilion or place to grill since the facilities will be crowded during the major holiday. There's something innately patriotic about grilling during these summer holidays and sharing Americana food like hotdogs and hamburgers. If that doesn't suit your fancy, basically anything can taste delicious on the grill with the right amount of charcoal and flavoring. 

1. Look up a fireworks display in your local area and watch the beautiful lights. 

The number one thing to do is enjoy the free lights on Independence Day. There's nothing like watching a show of explosives high above you from the comfort of your own car, or on a blanket with your family. If you do anything on Independence Day, check out the fireworks.