Flag Relay

One activity your children may like to try is a flag relay. Here’s how to play the game:

Gather together a number of small American flags, enough for each person playing the game. Then split the children into two teams with equal numbers, if possible.

Put two buckets filled with sand at one end of the yard and make the starting point at the other. Place the flags into the buckets with an equal number in each one.

When you say “go,” the first child will race to the bucket, pick up a flag, and then head back to the next team member. They’re not allowed to run back, however. They may walk or march. When they reach the next team member, they’ll tag them and that person will race down to get their flag.

Continue the game until each team member has raced down to pick up a flag. Let the children keep their flags. If your town is having fireworks, the children will have flags to wave.

Bike Parade

Children love to ride their bicycles. Encourage them to decorate their bikes and have a mini bike parade. If you live in a neighborhood, suggest the other children also decorate their bikes for the parade.

Ask the other parents in the neighborhood to help their children decorate their bikes. One parent may want to lead the children on their bikes. Young children without bikes can also participate by decorating wagons they can sit in.

Cake Decoration Competition

You may have seen the television shows where teams decorate cakes in a challenge. Why not hold your own cake decoration competition? Your children don’t have to decorate an entire three-layer cake, but you can have them decorate a single layer or cupcakes.

Provide each child with a single layer cake or a cupcake. You’ll also want to have patriotic-colored frostings. It may be necessary to purchase white pre-made frosting and then add different amounts of food coloring to make the desired red, white and blue colors.

Besides providing frosting, you’ll also want to have sprinkles and other decorations on hand. Allow the children to decorate their cake layer or cupcake any way they like. Of course, besides having a bunch of fun decorating the cakes, they’ll enjoy eating them even more.

The Fourth of July is a great holiday to celebrate as a family. Children may feel like they don’t have much to do. Using one of these fun Independence Day games or activities will give your children something to do while the food is cooking or parents are otherwise busy.

To begin with, you’ll want to find out your city’s laws about using fireworks. Some places only place restrictions on personal fireworks displays if there is a fire hazard concern. Other areas will limit the areas where fireworks can be used. Checking with your city will ensure you know their requirements, restrictions and avoid any possible fines for using fireworks if they’re not allowed.

It is also important for all children to understand that they should not handle fireworks of any kind. They can be so dangerous if not handled properly. Even those fireworks which seem harmless, like snakes or sparklers, can cause serious injuries. Fireworks should only be handled by adults and preferably only those who know how to use them safely.

Some adults enjoy drinking alcohol while celebrating on the Fourth of July. However, alcohol and fireworks simply don’t mix. If the person who is planning the fireworks is drinking, it would be best to allow someone who hasn’t been drinking set off the fireworks.

Be sure to have a water hose, water bucket or a fire extinguisher nearby when using fireworks. One person responsible for acting as a ‘fireman’ would also be a good idea. This way you’ll be able to extinguish any flames or fireworks and be ready for emergencies.

Stay away from the fireworks. With the possibility of catching on fire when lighting fireworks, you’ll want to light and run, so to speak. Don’t look into the fireworks tube to see what happens. Holding lit fireworks is also not recommended.

Even though professional fireworks often have multiple fireworks going off at the same time, it would be best for individuals to light only one at a time.

Rather than using grass or gravel, you’ll want to use fireworks on a hard surface which is flat and level. A sidewalk or paved driveway would be the best choice. Barring that being available, you may want to place a sheet of plywood down to use the fireworks on. The more stable the surface, the safer the experience will be.

Speaking about the surface used when shooting off fireworks, you’ll also want the area to be as open as possible. There shouldn’t be any trees or other obstructions in the way. The audience is also best kept as far away as possible. Never use glass or metal containers to hold fireworks when they’re being lit.

There are other fireworks safety ideas to be aware of, but they should be provided in every package of fireworks sold to the general public. Take the time to read the instructions and fireworks safety standards the manufacturers provide. And don’t forget to use them once they’ve been read.

Garden parties are simply parties which are held in a garden or on a patio. You can create a great outdoor atmosphere for a party with decoration, music, lighting, delicious food and drinks, and great friends and family. You can use these ideas to help you create a fun a frugal 4th of July garden party.

Begin by determining a budget for the party. You’ll need food, drinks, decorations, and tableware. Do you already have some items or will you need to purchase everything new? Discount and dollar stores are good choices for the tableware items you’ll need.

A couple of weeks before the party, send out patriotic-themed invitations. Be sure to include the date, time and location. If you prefer a particular dress code, you may want to indicate that on the invitation. Don’t forget to provide an RSVP telephone number for guests to let you know they’ll attend.

Clean up your garden or patio. Mow the lawn, pull the weeds, and make the area look inviting. You may even want to plant some new flowering plants around the area. Wash the tables before you place tablecloths on them. Clean the chairs or other seating. If your chairs aren’t as clean as you’d like, you may be able to get some inexpensive covers for them or possibly you can borrow seating from a friend.

If the party will be during the day, you’ll want to provide shade. Set up any umbrellas you have or use a pop-up canopy. Decorate using red, white and blue streamers, star garlands, and other patriotic items.

For night-time parties, you’ll want to use patriotic-colored lighting or single color Christmas light strands. You can also light the area by using torches or candles. Paper lanterns in patriotic colors would also be appropriate. Don’t forget to place several citronella candles around the area to keep mosquitoes away.

If money is a concern for you, you may want to ask your guests to help provide the food by indicating on the invitation that the party will be pot luck. Purchase tableware in red, white and blue. You’ll need cups, plates, napkins and silverware. Single color tableware will be less expensive than printed items.

Set aside a specific area for food and drinks. Decorate the food and drink table with a potted plant with red, white and blue carnations. Place small flags around the area. Prepare as much food in advance as you can unless you are having a pot luck party. This will make it easier for you and allow you to enjoy your party rather than merely serving at it.

Don’t forget to play suitable music. You can either bring a CD player outdoors or open a window and play the music through the window. Patriotic music would be a great choice, but any music that will get your guests in a festive mood will do.

It’s not hard to organize a fun and frugal 4th of July garden party. Once you have the party, however, don’t throw things away just in case you decide to have a similar party next year. Saving as much as you can will help reduce costs for future parties.