You’ve spent weeks planning the best picnic ever and preparing our favorite 4th of July recipes. Finally, your friends and family are all together for the big day. Let the 4th of July games begin! These fun ideas will appeal to everybody—from the energetic youngsters to the adults who just want to relax in a lawn chair on their well-earned holiday. Now, let’s play!
1. Red, White and Blue Marshmallow Golf
Marshmallows—they’re not just for s’mores anymore. Divide a bag of jumbo marshmallows into three groups, then use food coloring to dye one group red and one group blue. Keep the third group white. Once the ‘mallows dry, let each player tee one up and swing away using a golf club or hockey stick. The participant who hits their marshmallow the farthest wins. Have one prize for the kids and one for the adults.
2. Water Balloon Toss
It’s a warm-weather classic and the perfect game to play with a crowd. Teams of two toss water balloons back and forth. Have the distance between the pair increases with each turn. The last team standing with an intact water balloon wins. If the big kids are feeling more competitive, save some balloons for a game of dodgeball. We recommend this jumbo pack of self-sealing water balloons ($17) that let you fill up 100 balloons in under a minute.
3. Fourth of July Bingo
While the balloon tossers dry off, bring things down a notch with some July 4th bingo. ($12) After all, you’ve made a picnic table full of tasty party recipes—you deserve a break. This red, white and blue set keeps things festive and relaxed. Lure the kids to the table by handing out patriotic cookies as sweet prizes.
4. Patriotic Yard Bowling
Start saving your cans! You’ll need 10 of ’em for this fun game. Use paint or red, white and blue tape ($4) to decorate each can. Then, stack them in a pyramid shape and let the kids knock them down with a wiffle ball.
5. American History Trivia
Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence? Find out which of your guests knows their stuff with some American history trivia. Have a different set of questions for the kids and the adults. You can get some ideas from The Great Book of American Trivia. ($12)
6. Flag Hunt
Instead of eggs, hide tiny flags around the yard or picnic grounds for the kids to find. You can pick up a pack of 50 here. ($18) Mark one of the flags and give the finder a special prize.
Easy 4th of July Recipes
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Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
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
Barbecued Picnic Chicken
I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Macaroni Coleslaw
My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota
Herbed Grilled Corn on the Cob
I'd never grilled corn until last summer when my sister-in-law served it for us. What a treat! So simple, yet delicious, grilled corn is now a must on my summer menu. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Burger Americana
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Baby Back Ribs
Slow-cook the ribs during the day and they will be ready to finish on the grill when you get home. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Jalapenos
When barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
Hot Dog Sliders with Mango-Pineapple Salsa
For parties, we shrink down lots of foods to slider size, including these quick hot dogs. Pile on the easy but irresistible fruit salsa for a burst of fresh flavor. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs
My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida
Almond Strawberry Salad
It's easy to love this pretty salad topped with strawberries and sliced almonds. With just a few ingredients, it's loaded with flavor. —Renae Rossow, Union, Kentucky
Polynesian Kabobs
With their explosion of flavors and textures, these kabobs make a quick, satisfying entree. —Chris Anderson, Morton, Illinois.
Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade
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
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
Pennsylvania Dutch Coleslaw
My mother used to make this salad on holidays. With all the cabbage that is grown here in the Northwest, the recipe is a real natural for us! —Deb Darr, Falls City, Oregon
Can-Can Chicken
Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
Appetizer Tortilla Pinwheels
A friend gave me this recipe, and whenever I serve these tortilla roll ups, people ask me for the recipe, too! The cream cheese pinwheels can be made ahead of time and sliced just before serving, leaving you time for other last-minute party preparations. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Barbecue Brats & Peppers
We live in brat country, and this barbecue-style recipe feeds a crowd. The sauce gives it a welcome change from the same old grilled bratwurst. — Maria Zrucky, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
Lemon-Berry Ice Cream Pie
I love the combination of fresh strawberries and lemon curd in this ice cream pie. It's so refreshing, especially in an easy make-ahead dessert like this. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Spice-Rubbed Ribs
For grilling, here's the rub I recommend. It's made with a wonderful blend of spices. If you have some left after making ribs, put it in a shaker and use it another day on pork or beef roasts, tenderloins, steaks and more. It's great alone or under sauce. —Cheryl Ewing, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Vibrant Black-Eyed Pea Salad
My black-eyed pea salad reminds me of a southern cooking class my husband and I took while visiting Savannah, Georgia. People go nuts for it at picnics and potlucks. —Danielle Lee, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Pretzel Fluff
I often bring this special salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin
Honey-Mustard Chicken Wings
For a change from spicy Buffalo sauce, try these sweet and sticky wings. There's a good chance they'll become your new favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Quick Bacon Potato Salad
My family was tired of the same old potato salad at family functions, so I created this with the ingredients I had on hand. Now I'm always asked to bring it to potluck gatherings. —Tami Gallagher, Eagan, Minnesota
Buttery Grilled Shrimp
This is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Barley Corn Salad
A great alternative to pasta salads, this colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to corn, barley, and red and green peppers. Bring it to your next get-together and see how fast it disappears! —Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
I like to dunk these appetizer meatballs in blue cheese or ranch salad dressing. If I make them for a meal, I often skip the dressing and serve with blue cheese polenta on the side. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Summer Steak Kabobs
These steak kabobs not only satisfy my love of outdoor cooking, they feature a mouthwatering marinade, too. It's terrific with chicken and pork, but I prefer it with beef because it tenderizes remarkably well. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas
Layered Garden Bean Salad
For easy entertaining, cover and refrigerate the salad a few hours before guests arrive so you don't have to bother with last-minute assembly. Turn it into a light lunch by adding sliced rotisserie chicken, salmon or tuna. —Melissa Wharton, Cincinnati, Ohio
Red, White and Blueberry Pie
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
Fourth of July Baked Beans
We always choose this family recipe for July Fourth or any picnic because it's a meaty twist on everyday baked beans and it has a nice sweetness. —Wendy Hodorowski, Bellaire, Ohio
Jersey-Style Hot Dogs
I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Grilled Potato Skins
It's easy to love these delicious appetizers. They're nice to serve outside when you invite friends over for a grilled meal. They remind me of the potato skins I have had in restaurants—only better! —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Grilled Ground Turkey Burgers
These juicy, tender patties on whole wheat buns make a wholesome, satisfying sandwich. We especially like to grill this turkey burger recipe, but you could also pan-fry them. —Sherry Hulsman, Elkton, Florida
Grilled Tender Flank Steak
This marinated steak is so moist that it will become one of your favorite ways to serve beef. You can even prepare it on the grill. It can be easily cut into thin slices. —Heather Ahrens, Columbus, Ohio
Cajun Boil on the Grill
I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado
Garden Tomato Salad
For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Favorite Grilled Pork Chops
This recipe is my favorite out of all my grilled pork chop recipes. I start preparing this entree the night before I plan to grill it.—Erica Svejda, Janesville, Wisconsin
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Mini S'mores
Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate, graham crackers and more for a summery delight at any time of year. —Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois
Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert
This cool and creamy no-bake dessert is perfect for hot summer days. I sometimes replace raspberries for half of the blueberries to make it look more patriotic. —Jodie Cederquist, Muskegon, Michigan
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe! Whenever I bring buffalo dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky
Amish Sugar Cookies
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! This is one of the best Amish cookie recipes I've ever had. I've passed this one around to many friends, and after I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won the best of show prize! —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
Creamy Grape Salad
Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan
Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
This is the kind of salad you can keep in the fridge for a couple days and it just gets better. I just add the sunflower seeds before serving to keep the crunch. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
That Good Salad
When a friend shared this salad recipe, it had a fancy French name. Our children can never remember it, so they say, "Mom, please make 'that good salad.'" Now our friends and neighbors request it for potluck dinners. It really is one of the best salad recipes. —Betty Lamb, Orem, Utah
Chocolate Pretzel Rings
If you like chocolate-covered pretzels, you'll love these simple snacks. They're fun to make any time of year because you can color-coordinate the M&M's to each holiday. —Kim Scurio, Carol Stream, Illinois
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade
The nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I slightly tweaked their recipe to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Sweet Macaroni Salad
A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this homemade macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don't like it ... and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Color It Ruby Salad
Just looking at this bright red salad cheers me up—and then I get to taste it! For garnish, sprinkle on fresh chives and mild white cheese. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Summer Orzo
I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
So-Easy Snack Mix
I eat this tasty treat just as much as (if not more than) the kids! Have fun with it by adding other goodies into the mix, like nuts, cereal, pretzels and more. —Jeff King, Duluth, Minnesota
Blueberry Lime Slush
My husband's family makes a cranberry beverage for the holidays. I changed it up and serve it this way in winter and summer, when blueberries are in season. —Rebecca Bratsman, Tacoma, Washington
Zucchini & Cheese Roulades
My husband enjoys this recipe so much that he even helps me roll up the roulades! You can change the filling any way you like—I have used feta instead of Parmesan, or try sun-dried tomatoes in the place of the olives. —April McKinney, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Mango Guacamole
I needed a change from the standard guacamole recipe, so I added mango for more sweetness. It really complements the heat from the chili pepper, and it looks beautiful, too! —Adam Landau, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Berries & Chocolate Sauce for Ice Cream
It's about time someone created an ice cream sundae just for adults! I frequently make this dessert to use up juicy berries during peak summer months. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
S'more Pops
My daughters and I came up with this treat when planning a candy-making party. They also make adorable hostess gifts, are perfect for potlucks and would sell out quickly at a bake sale. —Lisa Haboush, Geneva, Illinois
Easy Lemon Berry Tartlets
These tarts are a quick and easy way to get your cheesecake fix. —Elizabeth Dehart, West Jordan, Utah
Quick Watermelon Salsa
On hot days, this sweet salsa with watermelon, pineapple and fresh cilantro is sure to satisfy. —Betsy Hanson, Tiverton, Rhode Island
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Cathryn Jakicic