28 Patriotic Must-Haves for the Best 4th of July Party Yet
Get ready: There's gonna be a lot of red, white, and blue decorations.
Fourth of July parties can be blowout bashes for many, as one of the first summer holidays families can celebrate together now that school's out. When it comes down to actually planning your 4th of July barbecue, though, there are a lot of factors to consider — from how you want to decorate your front entrance to what appetizers and drinks you plan to serve your guests. These 4th of July party ideas cover all bases, so you can host the best July Fourth party in the neighborhood.
To start the process, consider which spaces in your house you want to open up to your guests. If the weather is looking good, then hanging red, white, and blue decorations around your backyard may be the way to go. There are also tons of DIY 4th of July crafts you can turn into centerpieces and party favors that can be displayed around your home for guests to admire (or keep).
Perhaps the best part of the party planning process is curating a delicious menu. We're talking adorable cakes you can bake the night before and tons of flavorful dinner recipes. It's also important to acknowledge the historical significance of the Fourth of July and honor American soldiers who have scarified their lives for freedom. Sharing inspirational quotes or playing a powerful song at your 4th of July party are just two ways to weave together a history lesson with an afternoon of fun activities. Once your party is all set, sit back and enjoy the fireworks with your friends and family.
Star-Spangled Table Decor
Red, white, and blue is an all-star color combo from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Add unexpected pops of pink with flowers, and pillows for added layers of texture to up the elegance.
Patriotic Utensil Holders
Hand out plastic cutlery in style with the help of these festive utensil holders.
Get the Patriotic Utensil Holders tutorial at Landeelu.
Red and Blue Tea Light Holders
These delicate tea light holders make for a perfect tabletop addition (and they can help keep mosquitos at bay if you add citronella tea lights inside).
Get the Red and Blue Tea Light Holders tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.
Patriotic Oreo Pops
These yummy candy Oreo pops look so professional that your guests won't believe you made them yourself.
Get the Patriotic Oreo Pops recipe at Happiness is Homemade.
4th of July Bingo
Keep guests of all ages amused with this printable 4th of July-themed Bingo game, which you can download for free and play with pennies.
Get the 4th of July Bingo tutorial at Alice & Lois.
Red, White, and Blue Mini Cupcakes
These easy Funfetti cupcakes will disappear before you know it (because yes, they taste as good as they look).
Get the Red, White, and Blue Mini Cupcakes recipe at Making Lemonade.
DIY Party Favor Rockets
Tape paper over toilet paper rolls, then glue paper cones over one end. Glue crepe paper inside the rolls and fill each with wrapped candies, then tie at end to close.
Patriotic Drink With Strawberries
This strawberry and blueberry soda drink makes a refreshing summer beverage (and it can become a fun cocktail for adults if you add in a little vodka).
Get the Patriotic Drink With Strawberries recipe at The Country Chic Cottage.
Fun and Games Station
Set out bubbles, sparklers, and bang snap poppers for younger guests with the help of this clever game station.
Get the Fun and Games Station tutorial at Uncommon Designs.
Watermelon Wands
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter and wooden skewers to make fun, patriotic snacks for your Independence Day celebration.
Get the Watermelon Wands tutorial at Alice & Louis.
Stars and Stripes Cornhole Boards
A bean bag toss is a fun party game for kids and adults alike, and making your own patriotic cornhole boards is easier than you think.
Get the Stars and Stripes Cornhole Boards tutorial at A Wonderful Thought.
Patriotic Paper Straw Centerpiece
This stars-and-stripes centerpiece may look complicated, but it's surprisingly easy to put together with a few striped paper straws.
Get the Patriotic Paper Straw Centerpiece tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Patriotic Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
This pretty tissue paper tassel garland can add a splash of red, white, and blue to any room.
Get the Patriotic Tissue Paper Tassel Garland tutorial at Landeelu.
Chalk Spray Paint
Make sure your guests don't accidentally drive past your home with the help of some red, white, and blue chalk spray paint on your front lawn.
Get the Chalk Spray Paint tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.
DIY Confetti Poppers
Hand out these homemade DIY confetti poppers to guests and coordinate a time for everyone to set theirs off for one confetti-crazed moment.
Get the DIY Confetti Poppers tutorial at Happiness is Homemade.
Star Spangled Candle Sconces
For outdoor celebrations, place lit candles in these easy-to-make star sconces so that your guests can still enjoy the party even as it gets dark.
Get the Star Spangled Candle Sconces tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Flag Bunting
Jazz up any wall with the help of this DIY patriotic flag bunting decoration.
Get the Flag Bunting tutorial at Making Lemonade.
Easy Berry Cheesecake Trifle
Wow your guests with this easy-to-make red, white, and blue cheesecake creation.
Get the Easy Berry Cheesecake Trifle recipe at Landeelu.
4th of July Candy Rockets
A fun surprise waits inside of these adorable DIY red, white, and blue paper roll rockets.
Get the 4th of July Candy Rockets tutorial at All Things G&D.
Patriotic Sundae Bar
Set up a red, white, and blue sundae station for guests to put together their own ice cream creations.
Get the Patriotic Sundae Bar tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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