Fourth of July celebrations are often exciting and involve friends and family coming together. With the COVID pandemic and social distancing measures, celebrations might not be the same as it was in the years past. Take a look at some things you can still do to have a fun (and safe!) celebration of our nation’s independence.

 

Make some patriotic cold treats

The 4th is usually a rather hot holiday, so make a few cooling treats that can be enjoyed both by kids and adults alike. Make these Fruit & Yogurt Swirl Pops with blueberries and strawberries for a red, white and blue look. Have a simple party with the household and serve these festive mocktails, or just have fun with berries and old-fashioned lemonade.

 

Do a Hotdog-tasting

Hotdogs are the quintessential 4th of July food, and while you can’t enjoy these with more friends and family, why not make an adventure out of your Saturday lunch by doing a “hotdog-tasting” party? Whip out several choices for relishes and dressings, and have a few varieties of dog available to choose from.

 

Explore Festive Crafts

Spend a day being creative and plan a holiday-themed DIY project with the kids. Woman’s Day has a bunch of great craft ideas you can try out, including a painted burlap banner, recycled flower vases, and sun catchers from old crayons.

 

Make Patriotic Jewelry

Using the basic recipe for baker’s clay, let your little ones explore their inner jewelers with this Patriotic Baker’s Clay Jewelry craft from Marin Mommies.

 

Host a Backyard Screening

Movie theaters are still closed, but you can set up a film screening from the comforts of your own yard. Hang a sheet and grab some popcorn and watch some classics like Independence Day or Yankee Doodle Dandy.

 

Host a Neighborhood Potluck

Sure you might not be able to have a conventional party, but you can still enjoy a neighborhood get-together, of a sort! Chat up your friends and neighbors and host a potluck where you can share packed dishes to take home and enjoy in the safety of your own yards.

 

Watch the Marin County Fair

While the 2020 Marin County Fair has been physically cancelled, festivities are ongoing in their Facebook page with games and contests. The organizers are also planning on broadcasting a virtual show on July 4th at 9PM from the past years’ fair.

 

Enjoy Fireworks at Home

What is a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks? If you have access to consumer permitted fireworks like sparklers, fountains, or spinners, you can host your own fireworks extravaganza in your backyard. Just make sure to follow basic safety rules like having water nearby, setting them off in a clear, open area, and of course supervising the little ones. Read more about firework safety in this article.