There are so many fun ways to celebrate Independence Day, from block parties to cookouts to fireworks shows. Gather your friends and family this year for a party everyone can enjoy. Fire up the grill, crack open some cold drinks, and get ready to have a blast with these fun things to do for the 4th of July.
Take it out back
Keep things simple with a backyard party filled with competitive challenges and fun games. If you don’t have a big yard, you can reserve space at a local park instead. Then gather up your friends and family for some fun with these 4th of July party ideas.
⚾ America’s Favorite Pastime
Baseball is the quintessential American sport, so a rousing game of wiffle ball would be a great family-friendly 4th of July activity. Find creative ways to mark bases, home run areas, and foul lines to build a makeshift field in your backyard. Or, make an official baseball diamond with painted lines, fences, and rubber plates.
🏃➡️ Off to the Races
Adding a fun relay or two to your festivities is great for team building and friendly competition. Grab red, white, and blue ropes for a three-legged race or some patriotic hula hoops to see who can keep the hoop spinning while moving across the yard. The guaranteed laughter will only make it more challenging!
✨ Light up the Night
The 4th of July is a holiday with no time limit. You spend the day eating and playing in the sun until it’s time to watch fireworks. But we say keep the party going into the night with some glow-in-the-dark activities. Use glow sticks and necklaces to create glowing games like ring toss or tic-tac-toe. Or, book an LED performer to put on an awe-inspiring show!
🎉 You might also like: Draw inspiration from other patriotic holidays with these Memorial Day party ideas.
Play with your food
Backyard barbecues are one of the most popular things to do for 4th of July parties. So why not make the food a more interactive part of the festivities? From eating contests to cook-offs, your guests will leave with full bellies and awesome memories.
🌭 Ready, Set, Eat!
If you have enough brave participants with big mouths and bigger stomachs, a hot dog eating contest would be a great Fourth of July activity. It’s an American tradition, after all! No one expects anyone to eat 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes like Joey Chestnut, but it’ll be fun to see them try. Just make sure you have a great prize on hand for your winner!
🍴 Red, White, and Barbecue
Go beyond a simple cookout or potluck, and turn food preparation into a competition! Have your guests prepare their favorite 4th of July recipes for the ultimate barbecue cook-off. To give your chefs a variety of options, break the contest up into categories like wings, pulled pork sandwiches, or hamburgers. You can even throw an apple pie-baking challenge into the mix as well.
Let freedom sing
No party is complete without a great soundtrack! Whether you choose something low-key or upbeat, providing live music for your guests to listen to and sing along with is an awesome idea for an unforgettable 4th of July party.
🤠 A Little Bit Country
Country music is a staple of American culture, so it’s perfect for a 4th of July concert. Not to mention the endless options for patriotic songs! Celebrate America with a performance from a local country group or Americana band. If you want less country, a classic rock band can provide a similar sound and energy.
🕺 Dance the Night Away
If you’re planning a community festival or corporate event, you might want to go bigger for your Independence Day celebration. Book a party band or DJ to keep your guests movin’ and groovin’ all night long. They could even play a patriotic medley to accompany an epic Fourth of July fireworks display.
🎶 Only Good Vibes
For smaller gatherings or low-key events, keep your music simple. You can hire a singing guitarist or folk singer to play in the background while your guests enjoy the party. This way, they can eat, mingle, and take part in all of the other 4th of July activities without distraction. These options are easier on the budget, too!
This one’s for the kids
Independence Day is a holiday for the whole family, so your party will likely have a good mix of adults and children. Be sure to plan some 4th of July activities that will keep the little ones busy so the grown-ups can enjoy their food and drinks in peace.
🎨 Chalk It Up
If you’re hosting your 4th of July party outside, you have a big canvas available for your little Picassos. Buy a few packs of sidewalk chalk in patriotic colors and let their creativity run wild. Or, for grassier terrain, get some chalk spray paint to decorate the lawn. And hey, it doubles as a great party decoration!
🔎 On the Hunt
With so much to see and do at your 4th of July party, you might as well turn it into a game for the kids. Send the little detectives out on a patriotic scavenger hunt to see if they can spot specific things around the yard or park. Make your own custom hunting list, or download our free printable.
🎉 Looking for more fun things to do? We also have some kid-friendly 4th of July activities to check out.
Whether you’re throwing a big bash or a small family gathering, the best thing to do on the 4th of July is just have fun! So grab your loved ones, fly that American flag, and party like it’s 1776. ❤️🤍💙
Ready to book something awesome for your 4th of July party? Find local musicians, performers, and event services on GigSalad.
Heather is the Content Manager and a GigSalad veteran of 15+ years. She loves helping event planners create unforgettable celebrations and talent make a living doing what they love. When not at work, she enjoys reading romance and fantasy books, bingeing TV shows, playing board games, and spending time with friends.