Easy 4th of July Party Ideas

Juicy watermelon makes a sweet statement for any 4th of July party. Using stencils and a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, carve festive notes as a celebratory memo. Display your assortment of various-shape watermelons on your porch, deck, or even as a fun centerpiece for your snack table.

A pretty swag adds instant party style. It's a cinch to make: Cut out an equal number of stars from red and blue tagboard (use the first one as a guide for cutting the rest). Coat the stars with crafts glue and sprinkle with glitter; let dry. Add a grommet for hanging on one point of each star and string onto ribbon. Hang the garland to announce that the party starts here.

Independence Day decorating is easier (and cheaper) than you think! To make these flag-inspired pennants, cut paint-chip cards from your local hardware store into triangles. Using a hole punch, cut two holes at the top edges of each triangle. String together using white ribbon, separating triangles about 1 inch apart.

Adorn your 4th of July table with cheery candles and darling vases wrapped in patriotic paper. All you need are scissors, colorful paper, clear candle holders, a vase, and adhesive. Add to the festivities with a customized matchbox wrapped in coordinated paper.

Glam up your party's drink area with a red, white, and blue garland. This cute Fourth of July decoration is made from dip-dyed fans hung on a length of string. A canister full of more colorful fans lets guests grab-and-go whenever they need to beat the heat. 

Patriotic party ideas? Check! A red, white, and blue welcome sign helps guests find their way to the party of the summer. Get the look by adorning a faux lifesaver with blue stick-on letters.

It's game time with this tossable version of tic-tac-toe. Cut a 20-inch square from a painter's drop cloth; turn back the edges and press with an iron. Use duct tape to finish the edges and mark squares. Sand-filled muslin sachet bags—color coded with duct-tape strips—mark each player's spot.

Have a low-key, go-barefoot, splash-in-the-lake kind of day this 4th of July. Set out festive lounge chairs, beach towels, and other summer essentials to help make your party relaxing and enjoyable. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen!

A beautiful beach and some summer sun are all you need for the perfect 4th of July celebration. Keep kids occupied with fun 4th of July activities by having them build sand castles. Top the peaks with American flags for a festive finish.

Make your 4th of July soiree one to remember with these dazzling sparkler party favors. To create, you'll need a color printer, white cardstock, scissors, a crafts knife, a cutting mat, and of course, sparklers. Print pages on cardstock, then cut out the designs and use a crafts knife to cut slits along the white dotted lines. Slide sparklers through the slits so that the words show on top of the sparklers. Be sure to remove the sparklers from the paper holders before lighting.

Bake these adorable apple-berry pies, then send them with your guests for a sweet way to end your 4th of July bash. All you need are fresh berries, sugar-brushed pastries, and cute canning jars. Use a simple star cutout to add extra flair.

Awe 4th of July guests with these celebratory coasters. To make them you'll need a color printer, white cardstock, scissors, 4-inch-diameter round chipboard coasters, spray adhesive, and a matte-finish clear spray. Print page on cardstock, then cut out the designs. Spray chipboard coasters with spray adhesive and press cutout designs to adhere. Spray with clear finish and let dry.

These personalized napkins are a clever and inexpensive way for guests to keep track of their drinks. How to make them? Well, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply use iron-on numbers at the corner of each cocktail napkin and say goodbye to annoying mix-ups.

Greet guests with ice-cold glasses of fizzy watermelon sippers. Using red and blue tumblers, a large ice-filled cooler, and a large jug, you can create a festive 4th of July display. Place in a common area of the party for guests to enjoy.

Summer's big hurrah is as casual as they come. Skip the fancy decorations and get creative with some basics from the hardware store. Here, we use paint-chip strips as napkin rings. Simply wrap and tape.

A fresh assortment of sweet melon kabobs creates an all-star look for any 4th of July table. Skip the expensive bowl and use half of a carved-out watermelon instead. For kabobs, cut melons with mini cookie cutters and thread onto skewers for a starry display.

Dress up drinks with cherry-laced ice cubes and faux fireworks. Simply roll red scrapbooking paper around a wooden skewer, then adhere with double-stick tape. Use scissors to cut festive fringe.

Go all out with pretty, patriotic patterns for your Fourth of July feast. Look for blue and white dishes at a local thrift store. Then dress the table with red-and-white gingham napkins, a blue tablecloth, and festive 4th of July centerpieces. 

Tiny flag party picks become a wow-worthy centerpiece with the help of a few simple DIY tools. Cover a foam wreath form with crepe paper, then add flag picks until the wreath is completely covered. Complete the 4th of July centerpiece with a glass hurricane and your favorite candle. 

Any open basket works to make this easy 4th of July centerpiece. Just fill with decorative grass, baseballs, and red and blue croquet balls. A few tiny flags add festive flair.

Use striped lanterns from a crafts store as a festive centerpiece for your 4th of July bash. Fit the lantern over a white glass and fill with white blooms. Line up a few down a tablescape for a memorable finish.

Fire up summer's biggest shindig with a thick, juicy burger hot off the grill. Ours features pineapple, sweet onion, bacon, fresh tomatoes, and melty cheese—perfect for any 4th of July party. 

Refresh your 4th of July crowd with a chilly glass of bright ruby-red tea. Match the tartness of hibiscus flowers with sweet cinnamon sticks and a spoonful of honey. This rejuvenating tea will go fast in the summer sun, so be sure to make two pitchers.

Looking for Fourth of July recipes that will please a crowd? Delicious baked beans are bound to be a party-time favorite. Chop yellow and red tomatoes and place them on top for a yummy touch.

It's official—these are the most patriotic 4th of July drinks ever! Layer grenadine, peach schnapps, and blue curacao for easy, colorblocked 4th of July cocktails guests will love.

Brighten up your 4th of July bash with a berry-embellished tart. Use a variety of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries to create playful, patriotic squares, then drizzle with fresh honey-mint syrup to finish.