1
Relax by the pool
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Enjoy a day in the sun in your own pool, your neighborhood pool, or the pool at the community center. Make your day special by bringing along some fun inflatable tubes, like food-themed pool floats.
Buy Pool Floats
2
Family bike ride
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Celebrate Independence Day with a fun, outdoor bike ride with the family. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy some snacks in the sunshine before the barbecue.
3
Go Kayaking
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Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a day kayaking, taking in the views as you float down the river and working up an appetite for a delicious picnic afterwards. Kayaking is also great exercise.
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Four
Summer Sale
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Beat the heat by hitting up your local mall and taking advantage of the 4th of July sales. America's birthday is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself.
Five
Play pickleball
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What better way to celebrate America's birthday than with a friendly game of patriotic pickleball? Bring your friends and family onto the court and play to your heart's content.
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6
Make Red, White and Blue Treats
David Maros
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7
Enjoy an outdoor patriotic movie marathon
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After the fireworks, relax with a few Independence Day movies on the outdoor projector and screen. Whether it's an inspiring American story, an 80s classic, or your favorite war movie, the cool night air will help you unwind after a long day of celebration.
8
Host a hot dog eating contest
Caitlin Bensel
The first thing you'll want to do on the 4th is fire up the grill. Make it even more fun and get the eating game going by hosting a hot dog eating contest at home.
Get the recipe for Chicago Style Hot Dogs.
9
Blast a patriotic playlist
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Prepare a festive, lively playlist full of everyone's favorite patriotic tunes, or even invite your most musically inclined guests to pick up a guitar or a microphone for a fun jam session.
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Ten
Make a refreshing cocktail
Will Dickey
You can serve your usual libations at your party, or you can create a fun (and delicious) red, white, and blue cocktail, like this summery twist on the margarita, made with tequila and fresh watermelon. Cheers!
Get the Red, White and Blue Cocktail recipe.
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11
Plan a patriotic outfit
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Want to show off your patriotism? Wear your favorite red, white and blue outfit and compete to see who can look the most patriotic!
12
Visit a National Park
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Go back to where it all began with a visit to one of the many national monuments that symbolize our nation's independence. And you don't have to be in Washington DC to take part in this activity; take a quick trip to a historic battlefield or statue of a local leader in your city to honor those who helped build our country.
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13
Go to an amusement park
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A fun-filled day of riding roller coasters, eating fair food, and playing games is the quintessential American summer, and there's no better day to do it than the 4th. In addition to the usual fun rides and attractions, amusement parks often feature patriotic parades and costume contests to add to the festive atmosphere.
14
Rent a boat
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Head out to the ocean (or at least a lake) and cool off from the heat with some fun water activities like swimming, fishing, or simply lazing around on a boat. Bonus points if you manage to catch enough fish to grill later in the day!
15
Play a billiard game
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Jumping into the pool is a great idea any day, but especially on the Fourth of July, when you can stay cool and have fun with friends and family playing pool games. There are plenty of fun pool activities and accessories to enjoy all summer long, including pool floats, water basketballs, and waterproof cards.
Buy Pool Games
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16
Learn trivia about American history
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Even if you were born and raised in this country, it can be hard to know all the facts. Refresh your friends and family on American history by playing some fun quiz games or reading some fun 4th of July facts.
17
Decorate your home
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Whether you're hosting a patriotic party or just relaxing at home, jazzing up your space with accents of red, white, and blue is sure to fill your day with festive cheer. There are countless store-bought and DIY Fourth of July decorations to decorate your yard, deck, or basement.
18
Enjoy a BBQ on the beach
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Dining outdoors is a classic way to fill up at any Fourth of July gathering, so pack a cooler and drive to the beach this year to grill some burgers over a bonfire while watching the sun set over the ocean. Don't forget to bring speakers to listen to patriotic tunes.
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19
Make a Patriotic Wreath
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Add some DIY projects to your Independence Day calendar and use them to decorate for the big event. Our advice? Decorate the first place everyone sees: your front door. A DIY patriotic wreath is a super fun project to make with the family, and it will stay up all summer long.
20
Enjoy an outdoor concert
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There's no better time to enjoy live music outdoors than on a warm summer evening. Whether it's a local band or a major touring artist, there's a good chance you can find a concert celebrating the holiday near you. So pack a picnic blanket and a cooler, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.
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Erin Cavoto is an editorial assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
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