Want to know the 4th of July essentials you need to remember for your backyard party? These are the 4th of July party supplies that you need to know about.
Planning a 4th of July party is so much fun and if you are anything like me, you are preparing all you can to make it a great time that no one will forget.
After having a 4th of July celebration with my entire family for years, there are 31 of us, and counting, I am giving you the top 4th of July essentials that my family and I swear by.
You are going to learn about all the 4th of July essentials from supplies, food, games, activities, party favors, and more!
After learning about all these party essentials, you will be incredibly prepared to have the best day celebrating the red, white, and blue.
This post is all about the best 4th of July essentials that you need.
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Celebrating the 4th of July has always been a big deal in my family. Now that I have 4 kids of my own, I am doing my best to pass along being proud of our country, with fireworks here and there.
I have 7 siblings so there are lots of people everywhere! But this makes celebrating so much fun. There is food, games, activities and so much more all day long.
This checklist was created as a kid-friendly 4th of July party to have in your yard, but can be adjusted to any age range you intend to have at your party.
The Land of The Free, Because of The Brave!
Happy 4th of July!
Best 4th of July Essentials
4th of July Essentials
1. Speaker
What is a party without some music? Make sure to bring along a portable speaker to keep your party rocking. I am sure you will have some guests who will want to show off some dance moves as the day goes on.
This portable speaker, found on Amazon, has been our go-to for music in our house, in the backyard, and at the beach.
2. Sunscreen
You are going to be having lots of fun in the sun, hoping for no rain. You will want to make it through the day without getting sunburn. That would make for a terrible next couple of days.
I have always had great luck with this sunscreen, found on Target. I have been using it every summer for years on my kids and myself, it is so easy to apply, and we haven’t had sunburn yet.
3. Bug spray
You will be having so much fun celebrating that you do not want to be swatting at bugs all day long. It seems nothing will ruin a great outdoor party faster than bugs!
I have been using this bug spray, found on Target, on my kids, and myself for a long time. It is so much better than itchy bug bites for a few days after.
I have also used this fogger, found on Target, to help at parties.
4. Lawn Chairs
Eventually, you are going to want to sit at some point of the day. Do not forget your lawn chair!
We searched for a long time to find this amazing chair, found at Fleet Farm. It is so comfortable and does not pinch into the bottom of your legs.
We love this chair so much; we have 3 of them.
5. Coolers
If you have invited more than a few people over for your party, having a cooler is essential. It will free up room in your refrigerator and it will keep your guests from going in and out of your house all day long.
This cooler, found on Amazon, has been used by us for years. It has always kept our drinks and food cool. Don’t forget the ice.
6. Portable Shade
Does your yard lack shade? You may want to consider some portable shade. Sometimes that sun beating down can be brutally hot.
This gazebo canopy, found on Amazon, is big enough to fit multiple people under and tall enough that no one should have to hunch over to be under it.
4th of July Essentials
Food and Beverages
Here is a list of food ideas that could easily be made ahead of time or fire up the grill and make it the day of. I have done all of these. Look to Pinterest, that is what I do as I am not that creative on my own, to get some really festive ideas.
- Sandwiches
- Burgers
- Hotdogs
- Chicken
- Various Salads
- Chips – Individual Bag Chips like these, found on Target, go over really well
- Veggie Tray – Peppers, Carrots, Snap Peas, Broccoli, Radishes, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Celery, and more! Don’t forget the dip.
- Fruit Tray – Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Muskmelon, Pineapple, Grapes, Blueberries, Strawberries, Kiwi, and more! Don’t forget the fruit dip.
- Smores – Graham Crackers, Chocolate, Marshmallows (all found on Target), and Marshmallow Roasting Sticks (found on Amazon)
- Festive Desserts
- Water (found on Target)
- Juice Boxes (found on Target)
- Gatorade (found on Target)
- Soda
- Adult Beverages
- Plates, Napkins, Eating Utensils, Cups, Garbage Bags, all found on Amazon
4th of July Essentials
Games
The following are the games that we play or have played in the past.
They are a blast and can be played with 2 people or you can get your whole crowd together for a tournament. These can also be played by a large age range of people.
All these games get even more entertaining after some adult beverages are consumed.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite yard games are for kids and adults.
1. Bean Bags/Corn Hole
These corn hole boards, found on Amazon, have worked well for us for the last 10 years now.
It is always funny to me how competitive people become when they start playing this game.
2. Ladder Toss
Every time this ladder toss game, found on Amazon, is brought out it gets used.
It seems no one, in our group anyway, can resist the challenge of taking on and winning this game.
3. Giant Yard Dice
This giant set of yard dice, found on Amazon, is so much fun that everyone will want to join in.
It comes with instructions for 20 different games to play as well.
4. Ring Toss
We love having a ring toss game out, found on Amazon, especially since there are so many kids running around now.
5. Frisbee, Football, Kickball
Every time one of these items is brought out, I have seen countless people join in to play. I can recommend this frisbee, this football, and this kickball, all found on Amazon.
With 4 kids of my own, their friends, and my daycare kids using them all summer long, I can say these were built to last!
Game on!
4th of July Essentials
Activity Ideas
1. Water Fight/Squirt Guns/Water Squirters
If you are going to do this, you may want to include it on your invitation so your guests can be prepared for it.
What better way to cool off on a hot day but to have a water fight? You can form teams or let it be a free for all and get everyone soaked.
Get out some 5-gallon buckets, fill them up, and spread them out as filling stations (away from the food!).
Check out these water squirters, found at Target, and these water squirt guns, found on Amazon. One rule we have is no squirting an opponent as they are filling up. Keeps the kids playing longer.
2. Beach Towels
After having fun with the water fight, you will need something to dry off with. You can also use beach towels to lay out and soak up a little sun.
There are so many beach towels to choose from, but we love these towels, found on Amazon.
3. Bonfire
Nothing is more fitting for a summer party than having a bonfire. Even though you will not need to be warmed up, hopefully, the sun is doing that, this is still so much fun to have.
And it is a great way to make all those hotdogs and smores!
It is also so nice to relax by.
4. Piñata
Are you looking for another way to entertain the kids at this celebration? Pick up a piñata!
This patriotic piñata, found on Amazon, will do the trick. Don’t forget to pick up the candy and small party favors to fill it up.
Don't forget these bags, found on Amazon, so the kids can have a place to put all their treats.
Word of advice, skip the chocolate treats. Made that mistake one year and will never again. What a melty mess!
5. Paint 4th of July Shirt
There are some really cute ideas on Pinterest on painting 4th of July Shirts/tank tops. You guys, I am not that crafty on my own but I am really good at following other people’s directions.
We did this one year and the kids loved it. These shirts and this paint, found on Amazon, worked well for this project.
We started it pretty much as kids were arriving so the paint would have time to dry and they would be able to wear it later in the day.
4th of July Essentials
Party Favors
It is fun for everyone to get in the celebrating mood if they have a little extra push to do so. Create little party favor bags for kids and adults alike.
I am going to give you a list of ideas that could be used for any guest.
What to include in a 4th of July party favor bag, all these items can be found on Amazon:
Smores Kit (DIY)
4th of July Essentials
Fireworks
What is a 4th of July party without some kind of fireworks? Please follow the rules for your area about what you can and cannot have when it comes to fireworks.
We usually pick up sparklers and noisemakers for the kids to do. We also pick up some larger fireworks, at our closest fireworks store, that we can shoot off as it gets dark.
If your town or neighboring town has a firework show, go check it out. It is a great day to end the day!
This post was all about the best 4th of July essentials for your party.
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Leave a comment below about what you like to do or include when you celebrate the Red, White, and Blue. It is one of my favorite holidays.
I look forward to hearing from you!