For many families, 4th of July celebrations are going to look a little bit different this year. Some communities are scaling back their parades and fireworks displays, while others are cancelling them completely.
Here are fun, festive and most importantly, safe, ways you can celebrate from the comfort of your home. Find small-batch recipes, clever ways you can connect with your community and a whole bunch of ideas for backyard family fun.
Small-Batch 4th of July Recipes
Crispy star pops
Food is definitely one of the best parts of the 4th. And while we’re not heading to a potluck this year, we still plan to enjoy all of our favorite dishes.
Family Picnic: Who wants a hot dog? Celebrate with all of the foods the 4th is famous for—scaled down to feed a family of four. We’re talking cookout staples, summer salads, grilled corn and more.
Regional Recipes: The 4th of July celebrates all Americans. Expand your horizons by trying a dish from a different region. We have small-batch recipes from the Midwest, down south, out east and out west.
Red, White and Blue Desserts: From berry-topped pies to dazzling Jell-O salads, these patriotic dessert recipes will be the star of the show.
Girls with chalk coloring American flag on sidewalk
Trust us—we’re missing the block parties and family reunions, too. But there are still many ways to celebrate with a small group! Here’s how to stay connected.
Organize a Neighborhood Parade: If your community’s annual parade was cancelled, put together a smaller version with your neighbors. Let the kids go to town making signs, decorating their bikes and dressing up in patriotic garb. Then, make your way around the block at a specific time, honking, waving and wishing everyone a Happy 4th. Just make sure to keep your social distance from other parade participants.
Swap Sweets: Spread a little cheer to a trusted neighbor or family member by dropping off a tin of treats. These 4th of July cookies are a sweet place to start!
Show Off Your Spirit: Who says neighborhood decorating competitions have to be for Christmas? See who can put together the most patriotic house on the block. We’re talking flags, bunting, chalk art and red, white and blue lights. Award a small prize to the winning family.
What to Do on the 4th of July
Black mother and daughter celebrating 4th of July
The grill is lit and the drinks are cool—now it’s time for some good ol’ fashioned fun. These ideas will keep your gathering going all day (and night!) long.
Enjoy Some Friendly Competition: Get ready to name a family corn hole champ. Spend some time playing yard games with your crew.
Put Together a Playlist: Every holiday needs a soundtrack! And the 4th of July is no exception. Round up some feel-good summer tunes and blast ‘em all day long. Our top picks? Surfin’ U.S.A by the Beach Boys, Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet and Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band.
Bring the Beach to Your Backyard: If you can’t make it to the beach this July, bring the beach to you! Our how-to guide outlines everything you need.
Get Glowin’: No fireworks show this year? No problem. You can still (safely) celebrate at home with glowsticks, a bonfire or some sparklers. Just make sure you check local regulations, first.
Watch a Patriotic Movie: Set aside time to watch a holiday film as a family—we suggest the new Hamilton movie dropping on Disney+ July 3. And bonus points if you set up your theater in the backyard! Here’s how.
Patriotic Recipes for Your 4th of July Cookout
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I took this patriotic dessert to a luncheon and came home with dozens of requests for the recipe! It was quite a success. People told me it looked as good as it tasted. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma Get Recipe
Caprese and fresh fruit always remind me of summer. In this salad, I combine traditional Caprese flavors with summer blueberries and peaches. I also add prosciutto for saltiness, creating a balanced, flavor-packed side dish. —Emily Falke, Santa Barbara, California
Here's a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin' flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Show your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
Our family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
My sweet and tangy sheet cake piled with fresh whipped cream and juicy fruit is so good, you might just want to eat it for breakfast. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
My husband came home from a work meeting that had served pork with a spicy blueberry salsa. He was amazed at how tasty it was, so I came up with my own rendition without seeing or tasting what he had. It took several tries, but this is the delicious result. —Angie Phillips, Tarzana, California
To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat! —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska
This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is tasty. Layering cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that sings with Fourth of July pride. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
I just love the combination of fruit, almonds and chocolate that makes this brownie so unique. The fruit lightens the chocolate a bit and makes it feel as though you are eating something sinfully healthy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana
The best time for this dessert is mid-summer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten up the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite! —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas
It's so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute the berries with sliced bananas.—Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
A sweet treat in the summer, this patriotic poke cake with dazzling red and blue stripes is a fun one to make with the kids. —Elisabeth Schulz, Blossvale, New York
We do a lot of camping and outdoor cooking. This all-American, homemade hamburger recipe is on our menu more than any other food. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
If you’re tight on time, you can use store-bought cookies, but I highly recommend making these oatmeal chocolate cookies from scratch. The dessert sandwiches are pure fun. Sometimes I decorate the sides of the sandwiches with colorful jimmies, too. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
A friend brought this delicious, down-home dessert to church and was kind enough to give out the recipe. Everyone enjoyed it so much and just showered her with compliments! It’s especially wonderful served warm or with a dollop of creamy whipped topping. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
People love the unique combination of flavors in the dressing that tops the fresh fruit in this salad. It's so refreshing on a hot summer evening. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
This creamy pie gets dressed up with berries to make a showstopping display at any Fourth of July party or summer get-together. It's as pretty as it is tasty! —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
These patriotic pops are a hit at our annual Fourth of July get-together. Serve them as an after-picnic dessert. Or slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them as favors. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
My family enjoys this refreshing salad during the spring and summer months. Sweet strawberries balance the slightly tart balsamic dressing. —Jennifer Kunz, Troy, Michigan
Here’s a sweet and tangy salsa that's miles away from the spicy version people expect. Serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips for scooping, or make it part of the main event and spoon it over chicken or pork. —Amy Hinkle, Topeka, Kansas
These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
One year, my daughter decided to celebrate her July birthday with a patriotic theme. This colorful and refreshing salad was the main dish on the menu. The kids gobbled it up! —Glenda Jarboe, Oroville, California
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
I found beautiful heirloom tomatoes and had to show them off. In this easy galette, the tomatoes are tangy and the crust is beyond buttery. —Jessica Chang, Playa Vista, California
With apples, cherries and blueberries, this patriotic slab pie even tastes American. If the day doesn't call for stars and stripes, feel free to use any shaped cookie cutters you like for this awe-inspiring potluck dessert. —James Schend, Editor, Taste of Home
We Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries, too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Before serving yogurt sundaes, get ready for requests for seconds. Our family enjoys them for breakfast, but they're sweet enough for dessert. What an easy way to get our fruit and calcium. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
I picked up this dish a couple of years ago, and really like the mint and fruit combo. Cilantro is one of my summer favorites so sometimes I use it instead. Turns out, this recipe's really two in one! —Kayla Spence, Wilber, Nebraska
Where can you get a juicy bacon burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in you backyard with this delicious cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
Bring on the red, white and blue with these creative cupcakes, perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious and colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio
On weekends, I jazz up our favorite BBQ sauce with blackberries and blueberries. They make a marvelous spread for basting and saucing grilled baby back ribs. —Janet Hix, Austin, Texas
One of my favorite pies is creamy, crunchy and patriotic. Make squiggles with the sauces, or use them for a fun design. —Marina Delio, Santa Barbara, California
