Fourth of July Party Ideas
Updated: Feb. 14, 2024
Find the best patriotic desserts, summer recipes, easy outdoor DIYs, fun party games and other 4th of July party ideas that'll make your cookout the talk of the block.
Serve Red, White and Blue Food
Start your Independence Day plan with a menu that echoes the Stars and Stripes. Bake a flag cake covered with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream; toss up a party mix with colorful candies; or make an appetizer pizza with tomatoes and Kalamata olives. Or, get jiggly with it and layer up a festive Jell-O salad.
You can also add some extra fun to the holiday with 4th of July drinks!
Design a DIY Beverage Cart
Cool drinks are a must at a summer party. For a cuter take on a cooler, place the bottles and cans in a clean red wagon filled with ice. “Kids love pulling it around,” says blogger Loralee Lewis of loraleelewis.com. “It’s free beverage service!”
Keep Your Buffet Table Organized
Use a muffin tin to double as a handy condiment caddy. Fill each compartment with favorite toppings and add mini serving spoons so guests can load up their burgers and dogs as they like.
Make an Edible Centerpiece
Everybody’s going to be ogling the dessert table, so why not put it front and center? Display the treats on pedestals of different heights to give your sweets spread some extra depth.
For a 4th of July potluck, think stars, stripes and fireworks—a patriotic cake and red, white and blue trifle are perfect choices. But whatever you do, start with this five-star Juicy Raspberry Pie. Here’s how to make that all-star crust:
Hang Festive Decorations
This easy bunting banner is festive and fun. With your choice of card stock and yarn, you’ve got yourself a pretty decoration that matches your party to a T. Tip: Make a banner that lasts. Get the flags laminated at an office supply store before you string them up.
What you need:
- Flag pattern
- 12-in. square scrapbook papers or card stock
- Glue stick or clear tape
- Yarn
- Embellishments such as glitter or ribbon (optional)
Directions:
- Download and print ourflag pattern and placement diagram.
- Trace bunting flag pattern onto paper or card stock, as in the diagram. Cut out your desired number of flags and crease each one along the fold line.
- Place bunting flags, right sides down, in a row about 1/2 in. apart. Run yarn along the inside fold on each; cut yarn, leaving 12 to 18 in. on each end to hang.
- Fold each bunting flag’s flap over yarn, securing with glue or tape.
- Embellish the flags however you like.
Plant Natural Insect Repellent
Say hello to friends—but goodbye to bugs—with a pretty pot of herbs. “Plants like lavender, mint, rue and tansy have been used to repel insects for ages,” says Briscoe White, co-owner and herb guru at The Growers Exchange. Rosemary, thyme and catmint are popular picks, too. Lightly brush your hand over the herbs to release a natural form of bug spray!
For another alternative to getting rid of pesky bugs the day of the party, arm yourself with a handy bug zapper.
Set Up a Game Station
Forget the bouncy house and go old-school. Bring out your Twister mat (or paint one right on the lawn!), a croquet set or a couple of beach balls and let your guests have at it. If there’s room, start a game of red rover, have a tug-of-war or play catch. Ask your sports-loving friends to bring their gloves.
Make Your Own Bingo Game
Add a bunch of personality (and some familiar faces) to a favorite party game. Get the gang together for this group activity that nobody will want to miss. Use patriotic jellybeans or M&M’s as bingo chips. One for you, one for your card.
What you need:
- Card stock
- Family photos
- Glue
Directions:
- Draw your own bingo card, using an odd number of columns if you want that coveted middle spot. Print them on pieces of card stock.
- Print photos, cut them out and glue them onto the cards in different patterns.
- Put a copy of each photo in a bowl for the bingo caller to draw from.
Bring On the Sparklers
If your bash lasts past sundown, sparklers are a must—but pass out glow sticks or necklaces to the littlest guests. Have a contest to see who can snap the best photos of the sparklers in action. Just to be safe (and to save yourself cleanup later), have a bucket of water on hand where people can dunk their spent sparklers.
Make DIY Party Favors
Instead of flowers, set out vases of homemade pinwheels. When the party’s over, send them home with guests. Then, whenever your friends see the whirligigs, they’ll remember the awesome time they had.
What you need (for each):
- Double-sided patterned paper (premade, or you could glue together your own)
- 3/16- to 1/4-in.-wide wooden dowel rod
- Map pin or tack
- Low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks
- Paper cutter or scissors and ruler
Directions:
- Cut paper into a square. (We cut a 3 1/2-in. square for the small size, a 5 1/2-in. square for the medium and a 7 1/2-in. square for the large.)
- Fold paper in half diagonally and unfold. Fold the opposite way and unfold, forming two crossing diagonal creases.
- Begin at one corner and cut along the crease, stopping about 1/2 in. from the center point. Cut the same way from the other three corners, leaving about a 1-in.-square area uncut in the center.
- Pull the upper left corner of each of the four cut triangle shapes into the center point. Adhere each corner on top of the next one using a dab of hot glue.
- With a gentle twisting motion, poke a map pin or tack through the front center of the pinwheel.
- Poke the pin or tack straight through the side of the dowel rod, about 1/2 in. down from the top, stopping when the point barely shows on the other side. For safety, cover the sharp edge with a small drop of hot glue.
Create a ChecklistÂ
Whether you’re planning your first or fourteenth 4th of July party, it’s good to create a timeline to help you make the party stress-free and spectacular. Lucky for you, we’ve already created one! Download Our Free 4th of July Party Checklist and enjoy your best summer party yet!
Download Our Free 4th of July Party Checklist
4-6 Weeks Out
- Decide to have a bash! Pick a place, date and time, then spread the word. If the venue is outside, then have a rain contingency plan and use this outdoor party checklist to ensure everyone has a great time!
- Do an inventory check to make sure you have enough napkins, plates, utensils, craft supplies, chairs, tables, etc. If not, don’t worry. We’ll remind you to take care of this later.
3 Weeks Out
- If you plan to order any of your party supplies online, get shopping.
- Make sure your grill is clean and in working order.
2 Weeks Out
- If you asked for RSVPs, check back with the people who haven’t responded yet.
- If you need extra utensils, tables or chairs (or a wagon!), contact family members or friends who could hook you up, or find a rental place in your area.
- Shop for craft supplies, sparklers and yard games if you don’t already have them.
- Create a menu.
Red, White & Blue Potato SaladTossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
You can also try some other 4th of July salads or feed your whole party with these 4th of July recipes for a crowd.
Barbecued Picnic ChickenI like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland. If you're looking for more, check out our collection of 4th of July BBQ recipes.
Quick Barbecued BeansBarbecued beans are a simple, classic recipe and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Layered Fresh Fruit SaladPeople always pass on compliments when I take this salad to covered-dish suppers. It's nice on a hot day...with a winter meal...or as a dessert! We live on a small farm where my garden gives me lots of possibilities for fresh food. —Page Alexander, Baldwin City, Kansas
Start the party off right with these 4th of July appetizers.
Patriotic DessertI took this patriotic dessert to a luncheon and came home with dozens of requests for the recipe! It was quite a success. People told me it looked as good as it tasted. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Buttery Grilled ShrimpThis grilled shrimp recipe is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Grilled Sweet CornSince we have plenty of fresh sweet corn available in our area, we use this recipe often in summer. Parsley, chili powder and cumin accent the corn's just-picked flavor. —Connie Lou Hollister, Lake Odessa, Michigan
Grilled Apple Tossed SaladThe grilled apples in this salad combine so well with the blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic dressing. I like to serve it on pink Depression glass dessert plates from my great-grandmother. —Paul Soska, Toledo, Ohio
Patriotic Cookies & Cream CupcakesBring on the red, white and blue with these creative cupcakes, perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious and colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio
Flavorful Grilled Pork TenderloinFolks can find me grilling, no matter the weather. This moist pork tenderloin has loads of flavor thanks to its special spice blend, and it doesn't get much easier to make. My wife especially likes that she doesn't have to do the cooking! —Steve Ehrhart, Villa Park, Illinois
Grilled Marinated RibeyesThese juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
Pretzel Gelatin DessertThis is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois
Grilled Vegetable PlatterThis recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Patriotic Ice Cream CupcakesThese frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Patriotic Gelatin SaladAlmost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Homemade GuacamoleI always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Watermelon Feta Flag SaladOur family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
Farmer's Market Corn SaladI love fresh corn on the cob, especially grilled, so I am always looking for innovative ways to serve it. This recipe takes the corn right off the cob and combines it with fresh basil. —Haras Cindie, Jupiter, Florida
Bacon Macaroni SaladThis pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
Orange LemonadeThis juice is a favorite at our place. I'll often double the batch and send a jar next door to my mother-in-law! I was looking for a way to sweeten lemonade without using more sugar when I came up with the recipe. —Wendy Masters, Grand Valley, Ontario
Deli-Style Pasta SaladPasta provides a base for this tongue-tingling make-ahead salad. It has lots of fresh and satisfying ingredients topped with a flavorful dressing. This pasta salad is terrific to serve to company or take to a potluck. — Joyce McLennan, Algonac, Michigan
Fourth of July Bean CasseroleThe outstanding barbecue taste of these beans makes them a favorite for cookouts all summer and into the fall. It's a popular dish, even with kids. The beef makes it so much better than plain pork and beans. —Donna Fancher, Lawrence, Indiana
Sweet & Spicy Pulled Pork SandwichesI threw some always-available condiments into my slow cooker with a pork roast to create this fantastic pulled pork. It has become a staple sandwich filler for large get-togethers. The flavor of the pork goes well with a cold glass
of white wine.—Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois
1 Week Out
- Grocery shop for your pantry-stable items and paper goods.
- Map out a cooking schedule so you don’t get stuck in a cooking marathon the morning of the party.
- Put together a party playlist.
- Tackle any DIY projects.
A Day or Two Before
- Run to the store for perishables. Don’t forget the ice!
- Clean the house and make sure your fridge has room for make-ahead dishes.
- Mow the lawn and, if you’re really ambitious, tidy up the garden and make your giant Twister board.
- Toss canned and bottled beverages into the fridge to chill overnight.
The Morning Of
- Set up and decorate the party area and game station.
- Remember to set out trash and recycling bins.
- Put the finishing touches on your recipes.
- Charge your phone/camera.
30 Minutes Before
- Set the table.
- Get dishes ready to serve.
15 Minutes Before
- Blast the music.
- Light the grill.
- Pour yourself a drink. You’ve got this!
Discover More American Summer Party Guides:
Originally Published: April 22, 2019
