You’ve spent weeks planning the best picnic ever and preparing 4th of July recipes. Finally, it’s 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. Teams of two toss water balloons back and forth. Have the distance between the pair increase 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 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. After all, you’ve made a picnic table full of tasty 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 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.
6. Flag Hunt
Instead of eggs, hide tiny flags around the yard or picnic grounds for the kids to find. Mark one of the flags and give the finder a special prize.
Our Best Red, White and Blue Desserts
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Patriotic Dessert
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 Here's how to host the most spectacular 4th of July party!
Patchwork Quilt Cake
This cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Patriotic Cookie & Cream Cupcakes
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
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle
I was able to whip up this quick, yet impressive dessert, in only a few minutes after my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Red-White-and-Blue Berry Delight
Loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries, this luscious JELL-O is perfect for any Fourth of July celebration! —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan
Patriotic Pizzas
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
Berry White Ice Pops
Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut
Star-Spangled Parfaits
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
Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars
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
Berries with Vanilla Custard
What a simple, delectable way to enjoy fresh raspberries. For a change, also try the custard with strawberries or peaches. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
Star-Spangled Lemon Icebox Pie
With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a star pattern. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia
Vanilla Cream Fruit Tart
It's well worth the effort to whip up this creamy tart bursting with juicy berries. A friend gave me the recipe, and it always receives rave reviews at gatherings. —Susan Terzakis, Andover, Massachusetts
Bomb Pop Cookies
The sound of the ice cream truck has even my husband running out to the curb with money in hand. Our neighborhood has a big potluck on the Fourth of July, so I decided to make cookies that resemble Bomb Pops. These were a big hit! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Easy Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
These sweet little parfaits take everything that's good about cheesecake and make it way easier. You get the rich creaminess, graham cracker crunch and bright berry flavor all in a fun individual portion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa
When I need dessert fast, I go with angel food cake. Mix fruit salsa ahead of time, and pop the cake on the grill. —Glorimar Jimenez, Indianapolis, Indiana
Elegant White Chocolate Mousse
Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy recipe extra special. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts
Springtime Beignets & Berries
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries
I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina
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
Two-Berry Fluff Salad
This fluffy salad is a welcome treat on warm Texas afternoons. Because there's a blueberry orchard near our home, we often pick up berries to use in this recipe and others. When blueberries and strawberries aren't in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas
Berries & Cream Torte
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
Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake
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
Berry Tartlets
Bring spring flavors together in these delectable miniature tarts. Raspberries and blueberries both work well with the whipped cream and lemon curd mixture or choose your favorite berries instead. These sweet treats are great for a ladies tea, brunch or spring holiday celebration. —Mary J. Walters, Westerville, 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
All-American Sheet Cake
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
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
Rhubarb Berry Upside-Down Cake
I had leftover rhubarb and wanted to create something fresh. With blueberries, strawberries and dried cranberries on hand, I discovered I had a berry upside-down cake. —June Paul, Portage, Wisconsin
Red, White and Blue Berry Pie
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
Red, White and Blue Dessert
I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Crispy Star Pops
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
Red, White 'n' Blue Torte
Guests will see fireworks when you turn a frozen pound cake into a patriotic pleaser. Assemble this tempting torte early in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until it's time for dessert. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake
This luscious cake is really versatile for all-year fun. I've changed the design on top to a heart for Valentine's, a pumpkin for autumn and a tree for Christmas. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Patriotic Frozen Delight
My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This frozen dessert showcases both blueberries and strawberries and has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina
Patriotic Gelatin Salad
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
Red, White & Blueberry Poke Cake
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
Lemon-Berry Shortcake
This simple lemon shortcake is tender and not overly sweet. Enjoy this summertime classic with a generous layer of whipped topping and berries. —Meryl Herr, Overland Park, Kansas
Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle
This luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana
Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes
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
Red, White and Blueberry Ice Cream Pie with Granola Crust
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
Patriotic Pops
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
Red, White 'n' Blue Salad
Our striking "flag" salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Cathryn Jakicic