Host a Kid Friendly 4th of July Picnic

Celebrate the Nation's independence with family and friends by hosting a festive Fourth of July party.

There's nothing better than a summer day filled with family activities and an all-star party table for the ultimate 4th of July celebration! Celebrate in style and create an all-American bash with a beautiful patriotic buffet and decor that's stylish, affordable, and simple to clean up!

A Party with Boom – Boom- Pow!
If you are planning an all day event, you must pay very close attention to food planning. If you don't want to run out of food before the day is over, consider the length of the party.  A potluck is a great way to avoid the stress of cooking a large meal for a bunch of people. This will not only allow you to enjoy your own party it will allow your guests to showcase their culinary skills. People love to share dishes they only make for special occasions and you may be surprised at how creative people can be.

Before inviting your guests make yourself a list of food you will need for your party and request your items accordingly:

• Appetizers
• Snacks, chips, dips
• Fruit dishes
• Main dishes
• Side dishes & salads
• Condiments/paper products
• Drinks
• Desserts

For parties that will include a late lunch and dinner here are some family friendly ideas:

• Appetizers like wings, meatballs, chips & dips and fruit salads are great for all day snacking. Blue tortilla chips with red salsa and white sour cream makes a pretty festive presentation.
• Serve party favorites such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, watermelon, all-American apple pie or gelatin desserts made in patriotic colors.  A wide variety of potluck side dishes will really give these party classics pizzaz.
• Big batches of fresh-squeezed lemonade or iced tea are always refreshing.
• Cookies in the shape of stars can be fun and cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting are always a big hit.

Party Invitations:

• Include the date, time and location (add directions if necessary and the exact location if in a public place).
• Items needed for each person like lawn chairs, towels, bug spray, bikes, scooters, etc.
• Let them know it is a potluck. Request a food or drink you would like your guest to bring or ask what they would like to bring. 

Plan the perfect potluck with our online invitations and potluck sign up sheets.  See how.

Get the Glow:
To decorate a 4th of July table, simply focus on stars and stripes and patriotic American colors. Night-time sparklers light up any fourth of July party, and they make dazzling decorations for cakes and other desserts. Eye catching July 4th party supplies like patriotic garland, American flags, confetti, balloons and American banners really pop. Mixing patterns of red, white and blue creates a fun look and is quite striking.

Cool 4th of July Play:
At a family party, classic outdoor games like a tug-of-war, egg-and-spoon races, balloon tosses with red, white and blue balloons, volleyball or ultimate frisbee go over well with all ages. Play games like baseball, croquet or a flag tag relay with teams comprised of adults and kids. Give small in-expensive party favors such as mini-American flags, pinwheels, yo-yos or patriotic temporary tattoos to the team members who win.

Ask your guests to bring wagons, bikes, scooters, drums and tambourines. You can have balloons, construction paper, streamers, pom-poms and small flags for decorating the parade "floats". Play patriotic music on a boom box and parade around block or park to provide a star spangled celebration for all.

Other important items to plan for through the day:
• Keep on top of clean up. Designate areas for trash and recycling.
• Have a couple of guests to bring coolers filled with ice. Replenish the ice as needed.
• Keep all foods properly stored.
• Supply a permanent marker on for guests to write their names on their cups or water bottles.
• Consider what type of seating you have available and tables. You may need guests to bring additional chairs. Folding beach chairs are great.
• Keep a first aid kit on hand for any unexpected accidents.
• Have a rainy day plan...just in case.
 

Posted by Helena LaGarde

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