Next Weekend Is July 4th!

It's almost time for the 4th of July! We usually don't have a big party, but we do have a grill out and watch the fireworks. Below are a few ideas for crafts, activities, and food for your 4th of July get together!

CRAFTS/ACTIVITIES:

• Easy 4th of July Foods and a Craft (star stamp made out of noodles)
• Pinwheel Fun
• Easy Kids Party Popper
• Balloon Time Fun, Pinata style
• Windsock 
• 4th of July Word Find
• Ball Toss
• Make Your Own Chalk (use red, white, and blue paints)
  
• Star Shaped 4th of July Word Find
  

FOOD:

•  Breakfast
• Star Pancakes and Patriotic Strawberries
• Lunch/Dinner:
• Make a shooting star sandwich
• Salami roll-up flag

•  Side Dishes:
• Watermelon basket
• Broccoli Salad
• Veggie and/or Fruit trays: 
• Veggie ideas:
• Peppers: red and white bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fruit ideas: 
• Blueberries
• Red and white raspberries
• Strawberries
• Starfruit
• Red grapes
• Cherries
• Blackberries 
• For some ideas or examples, check out my previous posts (Veggie Trays, Veggie Trays Part II, and Put a Stick In It: Fruit Kabobs)
• Coleslaw 

• Dessert:
• Jello:
• Layered jello (use red, white and blue jello)
• Make a tray of Jello Jigglers and cut out star shapes 

• Swirl Cookies (The link is to my Christmas cookies which are red and white. However, if you divide the batter into thirds and color 1 red, 1 blue, 1 white, it makes a great 4th of July cookie!)
• Pie & Jars (Use star cut outs for the top of the pies)
• Hidden Surprise Pound Cake (use a star cut out instead of a shamrock)
• Dessert Pizza (So easy to make, so delicious! Use white chocolate, red and blue colored chocolate or candy melts to make it more patriotic.)
• Rainbow Cupcakes (Divide batter into 3 bowls. Color 1 white, 1 red, 1 blue)
• Peanut Butter Cheerios Balls
• Frozen Bananas (Dip in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles! Maybe even some star sprinkles!) 
• Caramels (It is much harder to change the color of a caramel, so instead dress up the wrapping by tying them closed with red/white/blue ribbons.)
• Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Stained Glass Cookies (use red, white, blue candies)
• Fortune Cookies (make a mix of red, white, and blue dough)
• Candied Popcorn (Separate popcorn into 3 batches. Color each batch with red, blue, or white candy melts. Let dry and then mix together!)
• Make (or buy!) angel food cake or shortcake and top with strawberries (red), blueberries (blue), and whipped cream (white).

• Drinks:
• Beverage Day (make red, white, blue star shaped ice cubes)

 The things listed above are things we have done in the past. However, there are so many other ideas out there for 4th of July parties. Here are a things that I think would be fun to try!

• Watermelon "cake". Cut and tier watermelon slices like a tiered cake. Decorate with other red, white, and blue fruits.
• Chocolate dipped strawberries. Dip in white chocolate and decorate with patriotic colored sprinkles or in red and blue drizzles. Dip in milk or dark chocolate and decorate with red, white, and blue drizzles. 
• Layered Red/White/Blue Drinks