Welcome to my red, white and blue Independence Day party! I love a theme party. It’s also fun to pick a theme for a particular night, like Mexican Night or Pizza Night. I don’t do it very often, so it’s special and all the more enjoyable when I do. The kids think it’s great, and they especially love it when the grownups lean in with costumes, songs, stories, games, etc… My hubby and I once attended a midsummer night party where we had to dress in costume and recite a portion of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The food fit the evening, complete with little tea sandwiches, fresh fruit and delicate salads, plus mini tarts and cakes…all the foods the fairies love! it was so much fun.
With the 4th of July coming up, I’m planning to embrace the red, white and blue theme of the holiday with a party. It’s pretty easy to find great decorations and activities that celebrate this occasion. What I’m really excited about are all the super recipes that work so well with our red, white and blue party concept. Our DinnerTime Recipe Box curators have been adding really cool recipes that will fit our party theme well. It’s like they knew I wanted to embrace the holiday with food that takes it to the next level of celebration! Planning this party is a family adventure in itself. Encourage everyone to take on a role…how to decorate…who’s in charge of games and activities…and, of course, deciding the food.
Challenge your family to pick recipes that result in a red, white and blue dish. Even young children can name foods that have red, blue, or white in them, like blueberries, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and more. What foods include combinations like Blueberry Coleslaw, or what can we make to look like a flag or fireworks like this great recipe for American Flag Caprese Salad? Plan to make a batch of drinks like an easy fruit punch of fruit juice, such as cranberry and ginger ale, or a lovely red Watermelon Agua Fresca to fit with the theme. We had a pretty hilarious conversation at dinner the other night, thinking up red, white, and blue dishes. We also proposed a few creative mixtures of ingredients, many of which got an “ewww!” response, but others got a YES! YES! YES!
Make Your Party Check-List:
Send out festive invites. What one can do online now is pretty cool and creative. Here’s a free resource, or you can use invitation platforms that track your RSVPs. Add as much detail as possible, such as if you have a pool… to bring a bathing suit or their creative juices… for arts and crafts. Give your guests the parameters of the party, especially when inviting children, so they can be best prepared with the right clothing and setting of expectations. Some children are scared of fireworks, so alerting your quests there will be fireworks at 9:30, allows them to exit before they start.
Decide your menu. Lean into your red, white, and blue theme with lots of delightful recipes in your Dinnertime Recipe Box. Search for a specific ingredient, like watermelon, or type July 4 for all the Independence Day party recipes we think you will enjoy.
Set the scene with festive decorations. Flags, red, white, and blue streamers, and perhaps balloons are easy to locate at your area dollar stores or make with the kids. Stick flags everywhere, like along the walkway, in all your potted plants, and over the doors. More is just more fun! I love this idea for painted lawn stars. You could paint them as a path to the party!
Table-scape with color. Red and white checked tablecloths with blue napkins and white plates, plus a pretty centerpiece, pull it all together. A centerpiece doesn’t have to be fussy. One year, I got small blue buckets from the dollar store, filled them with red petunias, and stuck a flag in the center. After the party, I planted the petunias so we could continue to enjoy them all summer.
Create an area for crafts for the little ones. Who am I kidding? We all love arts and crafts! Plus our kids really value doing them together with us. Check out this resource and this one for cute ideas. I really love this simple little craft using sparkly pipe-cleaners to make firework rings! Pick a couple of crafts and make sure you have plenty of the right materials on hand for everyone to partake.
Plan a few other activities like relay races or wiffle-ball games. Some of my favorite memories from summer parties were playing touch football with all ages. It’s pretty fun for a young kid to outrun their friend’s dad! Don’t forget classic games like watermelon seed spitting contests or the longest egg toss competition. Color the eggs red, white and blue for an extra touch.
Finish the party with an Independence Day sing-along. We’ll sing songs like America The Beautiful, Yankee Doodle Dandy and Grand Old Flag. Find your favorite patriotic songs in printable form from Freedom’s Feast. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I tear up a bit when I sing the song, This Land is My Land, it just makes me feel very appreciative for the country we live in.
Red, White and Blue!
Search for more delightful recipes in your DinnerTime Recipe Box.
Use the filter function (found on the right of your DinnerTime Recipe Box search) to find desserts, main dishes, side dishes, etc.
A patriotic appetizer!
Tasty salsa that fits the party theme!
Even potato salad can be red, white and blue!