40 Fun things to do for your family’s Fourth of July celebration (with FREE coloring pages!)

Each year when America’s birthday rolls around, I want to figure out the best family things to do on July 4th. My goal is to come up with funs ideas my whole family can enjoy.

The fun activities I plan for July 4th have varied depending on how old my children are. For example, when they were babies and toddlers, we watched a fireworks show on television rather than in person. It was a better way for our family to see fireworks during that season.

Nowadays, though, my children are older and finding fun ideas our whole family will enjoy is important to me. Our best memories are made with family fun!

I’ve pulled together a list of all kinds of Fourth of July activities for families. Some of these my family does ourselves, and others are new ideas I can’t wait to try!

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Traditional celebrations

Whether you live in a small town or large city, most areas have a variety of events throughout the day in honor of the Fourth of July. And the majority are family friendly!

Attend a local parade.​

Check social media and other online resources to find out if there is a local parade happening near you. Parades are especially fun for younger kids.

But even with older kids, parades are a fun way to celebrate any holiday. 

Have a Fourth of July cookout.

Whether you call it a cookout or a backyard barbecue, July 4th is notorious for grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers.

Plan some easy sides like potato chips, baked beans, macaroni salad and deviled eggs, then host a cookout in your own backyard. You get bonus points for making food in red, white and blue!

You can also turn this into a potluck and invite friends or family over to spend time all together.

Put up patriotic decor.

Everyone is more inclined to get into the holiday spirit if you have some star-spangled banner decor around. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make it happen.

One creative way to decorate is with coloring pages that your family colors. You not only get to spend quality time coloring together, you also get to display artwork you’re proud of!

Download this set of 6 free July 4th coloring pages!

Go see a fireworks display.

Nothing is more traditional on July 4th than fireworks. Find the best places to go in your area and attend a big display with your family.

If you are able to do your own fireworks, give those a go if you’d rather. Our family usually does a mix of both. We get some small things, like sparklers, to do at home. Then we go see the big fireworks in a nearby park. 

And another option, especially if you have younger children or a family member who is noise sensitive, is to watch fireworks on television. We’ve done this a few times, and it’s one of the best ways to see fireworks without the heat and hassle!

Outdoor adventures

You can find all sorts of kid-friendly activities in the great outdoors that are perfect for July 4th weekend. Even inside folks like me can find a fun game to play!

Play outdoor games at home.

Without even leaving home, there are lots of fun yard games your family can play. From corn hole to croquet, options abound. 

But don’t forget other great options for the warm weather we have in July, such as having a water balloon fight. This remains one of my children’s favorite things to do in hot weather!

Simple games like hide and seek or tag are fabulous options as well.

Have a picnic at the park.

Another great way to celebrate July 4th is by having a picnic in the park. Often parks where fireworks displays are set to happen are filled with all sorts of options ahead of time from free live music to food vendors. 

Pack up your family and head to the park early to enjoy free concerts and tasty treats in addition to what you pack yourself. And don’t forget, it’s a good idea to bring along both sunscreen and bug spray!

Go for a bike ride.

If your family loves riding bikes, then biking can be a fun Fourth of July activity to do together. Ride to a local park or a local ice cream store for a refreshing summer treat. 

Or just go for a ride together around your neighborhood. With most folks off work for July 4th, it’s a perfect time to use your free time for family-friendly activities.

Game time

From video to board games, a little friendly competition on July 4th can be the perfect way to spend at least part of the day. And my family loves games!

Play patriotic games.

The best options for patriotic themed games are going be printable ones. And that’s actually good news, because they are less expensive than store-bought options!

Print out a pack of 4th of July themed games and have fun as a family! This July 4th game and activity pack includes a wide array of options for the whole family:

• July 4th What’s on your phone?
• July 4th Crossword with answers
• Three July 4th mazes
• July 4th Selfie scavenger hunt
• July 4th Never have I ever
• July 4th Word scramble with answers
• July 4th Charades or draw the word
• July 4th Photo scavenger hunt
• July 4th How many words can you make?
• Tic Tac Toe
• Connect the dots game
• 2 July 4th Coloring pages

Play card or board games.

Independence Day weekend is a great time to play a new game or a family favorite when you have time off to do so. Some of our favorites include the following:

• Uno (including Uno Attack!)
• Harry Potter Clue
• What do You Meme? Family Edition
• Blank Slate
• Hero Quest (This one takes a while and is more of an RPG, but I love that it’s co-op so we make great memories working together!) 
• Never Have I Ever Family Edition (perfect for playing from the comfort of your living room)
• Story Cubes
• Charades (perfect for playing from the comfort of your living room)
• Fluxx (in all sorts of fun varieties like Wizard of Oz, Marvel and pirate)

Play video or electronic games.

Video and electronic games don’t especially sound like great family things to do on the 4th of July, but they really can be!

Find a game you can play cooperatively and try it out together. Recently I’ve had fun playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with my husband and son.

Or go for more traditional electronic game options like Jackbox Party Games. We’ve played these with our family and with my parents as well. All of us enjoy them!

You just need a console, computer or Apple TV. Each player will need a device on which to play, such as a phone or iPad. Easy to set up and lots of fun to play!

Even more ideas for July 4th

And if none of these options are what you’re looking for in a family-friendly event or you want some more ideas, check out this additional list of 30 family things to do on the 4th of July:

• Beach Day – Spend the day swimming, building sandcastles and relaxing.
• Patriotic Crafting – Make flags, wreaths or other themed crafts with the kids.
• Historical Reenactment – Visit a historical site or watch a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle.
• Ice Cream Social – Set up an ice cream bar with various toppings.
• Outdoor Movie Night – Set up a projector and screen a family-friendly film.
• Fireworks Sparklers – Light sparklers and enjoy the sparkly fun.
• Attend a Baseball Game – Many local teams have special July 4th games and events.
• Family Talent Show – Let everyone show off their unique talents.
• Scavenger Hunt – Create a patriotic-themed scavenger hunt around your home or neighborhood.
• Visit a National Park – Take in the beauty of nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
• Host a Pie Eating Contest – See who can eat the most pie in a fun, messy competition.
• Patriotic Face Painting – Paint each other’s faces with flags and other patriotic symbols.
• Make Homemade Lemonade – Set up a stand or simply enjoy a refreshing drink together.
• Fourth of July Parade Float – Create a mini float for a neighborhood parade.
• Camp Out in the Backyard – Set up tents and tell stories under the stars.
• Patriotic Storytime – Read books about the history of Independence Day.
• Host a Flag Ceremony – Teach kids how to properly handle and display the flag.
• Nature Hike – Explore a local trail and enjoy the great outdoors.
• Create a Time Capsule – Include items that represent this year’s celebrations and open it in the future.
• Patriotic Baking – Make cupcakes, cookies or a cake decorated in red, white and blue.
• Kite Flying – Spend the afternoon flying kites in an open field.
• Visit a Farmer’s Market – Enjoy fresh produce and local goods.
• Red, White, and Blue Tie-Dye – Make tie-dye shirts in patriotic colors.
• Listen to Patriotic Music – Create a playlist of American classics and sing along.
• Visit a Museum – Learn about American history and culture.
• Parade Float Contest – Organize a neighborhood competition for the best-decorated bikes or wagons.
• Charity Run/Walk – Participate in or organize a 5K for a good cause.
• Boat Parade – If you live near water, join or watch a parade of decorated boats.
• Balloon Release – Release red, white and blue balloons (using eco-friendly materials).
• Photo Booth – Set up a booth with patriotic props and take fun family photos.

No matter what you decide to do, remember that you are making memories with your family. Not everything will be perfect — and that’s OK. But you can still enjoy the time together!