Independence Day Invites

Get the party buzz started right away with themed invitations. Make cards that look like American flags with the info for your party written out on the stripes. You could also print out pictures of your fave presidents (or just the silliest looking ones).

Another cool idea? Make your invitations look like the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence by using a pretty, script-y font on the computer and soaking the paper in tea to give it a cool, aged look.

Red, White, Blue...and Patriotic All Over!

Set the mood for your party with plenty of flags. You can put them in centerpieces with red and white flowers for an extra cute touch! Have plenty of red, white and blue balloons. You can even fill the balloons with confetti so you can pop them and have instant homemade (and fire-free!) fireworks. Just make sure you clean up the mess afterwards!

Amp up the party even more with some Fourth of July faves. Make a patriotic playlist with everything from classics like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” to current hits like Fall Out Boy’s “America’s Suitehearts” and Estelle’s “American Boy.”

Flagtastic Fun

Keep your guests entertained with fun, national-themed games. You can even ask your guests to come dressed in all red, all white or all blue and divide them into teams to raise the stakes! Try patriotic twists on your fave traditional games, like Famous American Charades, American Pictionary or even just a straight forward trivia contest.

Hanging with some crafty chicas? Make some USA puzzles with pieces shaped like the states and see which of your friends knows her geography best!

And of course you’re gonna need to keep your guests happy with plenty of snacks and drinks. Try freezing blueberries and raspberries in ice cube trays full of water for fun, festive ice cubes that you can put in clear glasses of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for the full red-white-and-blue experience.

Food 'n' Fireworks

Fourth of July is all about the BBQ, so get your 'rents to work the grill to cook up some delicious hotdogs and hamburgers. Celebrate the freedom to choose with some tasty, healthy options like veggie burgers or portabella mushrooms. While your parents are taking care of the dogs and burgers, you can make the side dishes. Go with classics like potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, corn on the cob and pasta salad, or spice things up with your own favorite sides!

At the end of the night, watch the fireworks while you enjoy a tasty patriotic dessert: fruit and yogurt parfaits with red raspberries and strawberries, blue blueberries and white plain yogurt. It’s healthy and delicious, and will make a sweet ending for your perf party!

PLUS, Stay tuned next Friday for a cool Fourth of July cake that's super easy to make!

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