Food for Thought

Children love to play games, whether inside or outside. When planning your summer festivities, make sure you include Fourth of July yard games for children in your plans. Not only will having yard games keep the kids occupied while the adults talk, they may be just what you need to keep them from asking you “When do the fireworks start” for the zillionth time.

Consider the ages and abilities of the children that will be present when planning yard games for your party. You don’t want anyone to feel left out. You may also want to have a list prepared and allow your guests to choose which game to play first. It would also be good to set your rules before the games begin, and be sure everyone understands them so there are no arguments. Here are some great games to try:

Tag: This is one game that children have played for centuries and it’s very simple. Someone is chosen to be “It” and then has to cover their eyes while everyone else hides. Be sure to choose a place for base so everyone can try to get there before being tagged. That person then becomes “It” and the game continues with that person trying to catch others.

Tug-of-War: Set up an area with a small wading pool and a rope long enough for everyone that wants to play. Mark the center of the rope with a bandana or tape and then have even-sided teams grab either end of the rope. They pull until one team has pulled the flag over a particular line, in this case it could be the edge of the pool. Don’t be surprised, however, if one side ends up getting wet, so be prepared with towels.

Scavenger Hunt: Before the party, make a list of ten things that should be able to be found in your yard. This could include a certain type of flower, rocks, feathers, or items that you specifically place in your yard. Give each player a list and let them go scavenging. Whoever returns with the most items, wins!

Croquet: This game has been around for a long time. You may want to have the game set up prior to guests arriving. The purpose is to guide a colored ball with a mallet of the same color through a series of pickets until you reach the end post. This game takes a little bit of skill, so it may not be suitable for younger children.

Water Balloon Toss: Expect someone to get wet, if not soaked, in this game – which may be a good thing if it’s extremely hot outside. Break the children up into pairs and give each of them a water balloon. Have the pairs start off close together tossing the balloon back and forth, stepping back one step after each successful catch. The person who wins is the last person to toss the balloon before it bursts.

These Fourth of July yard games for children aren’t only for this holiday. In fact, they can be played at any time of the year. They are tried and true games that children have enjoyed for years. Why not make them a part of your patriotic celebration. They’re sure to entertain until the firework show begins.

The old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Speaking of fun, the Fourth of July will be here before you know it. These quick and easy yard preparations tips for a Fourth of July party will help make your party a success.

Instead of spending the entire day running from place to place, consider throwing your own Fourth of July party. It gives you an excuse to really spruce up and decorate your yard.

Start planning early to be sure you’re ready on the day of the party. Since the party will be on the Fourth of July, you have a ready-made theme or starting place. Begin by making a list of things you’ll need and what you’ll need to do.

Of course, you’ll want your lawn to be cleaned up, so now is the time to start picking up the yard toys, furniture, and other things that have made their way to the lawn. Give it a good mowing and remove the dead grass. Maintaining a well-manicured lawn takes some time, but the beauty of it will be a thing to behold.

If you have lawn furniture, make sure to clean it well before the day of the party. You would probably do this at the beginning of summer, but you may want to re-clean it as the party draws nearer. This also gives you an opportunity to check to be sure the furniture is safe or if anything needs to be replaced.

Check your lawn for fire ant colonies. If you find them, now is the time to spread out any poison to get rid of them. You may also want to have a professional exterminator come and spray a couple of days before the party to get rid any other unwanted pests. Find or buy citronella candles to help keep mosquitoes from ruining the party.

Make sure you have enough seating for all your guests, and then arrange your lawn furniture and other seating in conversational groups. This will encourage your guests to chitchat while they’re waiting for the food to be prepared and served. Be sure there’s a small table within the group for guests to set their glasses.

Prepare an area of the lawn that will be just for the kids. Set out some yard games such as croquet, water balloon toss, horse shoes, or tug-of-war. Of course, you’ll want to have games for all age children and someone to monitor the games so the kids don’t get out of hand.

The day before the party, set up the cooking area. You know the kitchen is often the busiest place in the house during the holidays, so set up a cooking area complete with a preparation table, barbecue grill, and a place for guests to relax while you cook. If you have a small refrigerator, that’s great. But you can also set out your coolers with food the day of the party so everything is within reach.

These quick and easy tips for preparing your yard for a Fourth of July party may be all you need to start thinking about your own summer party plans. The benefit of preparing early is that you won’t be rushed as the day approaches. It also allows you time to ensure that your guests will enjoy the time they spend with you and your family.

Summer time is drawing near and there’s no better place to spend the warm evenings than in your own back yard. If you have a patio, you have the perfect place to celebrate. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a birthday or an anniversary party, your patio can be transformed into someplace your guests will love. Here are some tips for preparing your patio for a Fourth of July get-together.

Patios are often considered to be a nuisance because they can be hot. This doesn’t have to be the case on July 4th. In fact, you can treat your patio as another room to your house, it’s just outside. There are so many things you can do with your patio to make it a place you’ll love to share with friends and neighbors.

Begin by cooling your patio down. This can be accomplished by either providing a covering or by installing a misting system. With a cover made of aluminum or heavy canvas, the sun is blocked, which helps reduce the temperature. A misting system cools you by spraying a light mist which evaporates, thus cooling the air by as much as 35 degrees.

After you’ve had your patio cooled, it’s time to think about lighting. For July 4th, think about decorating with candles in red, white, and blue votives. Star-shaped accent lights can also be hung in the trees to provide a festive mood. Hurricane lamps are also popular lighting for patios.

Make sure you have plenty of seating available. Clean lawn chairs and patio furniture should be placed to encourage conversation. Place a small table within each conversation group as a place for guests to put their drinks. Plush cushions will help make the seating more comfortable.

If you’re having a barbecue, be sure to have a table and chairs for your guests to eat at. A colorful, patriotic tablecloth and cloth napkins are perfect for the evening. Red, white, or blue dishes top off the table and keep with the Fourth of July theme. With a few candles strategically placed, your table will be as beautiful as the fireworks.

Balloons may be appropriate if you expect to entertain children. Set aside an area in the yard, close by the patio so adults can keep an eye on the children, for the children to play in. Plan some yard games to keep children happy and busy until it’s time for the fireworks.

You still have time think about how to decorate for the summer. These tips for preparing your patio for a Fourth of July get-together should give you some ideas to consider. Of course, decorating to match your style is important, but hopefully these tips will help.

Children all over the United States look forward getting out of school and spending the summer having fun. One activity many children look forward to is the Fourth of July and the fireworks that light up the sky. However, younger children may not be able to stay awake until the fireworks begin. These Fourth of July party ideas for kids may help them enjoy the day even if they do fall asleep prior to the evening’s light show.

A Fourth of July party can be so much fun, especially for little ones. But how do you prepare a party that children, as well as adults, will enjoy? Start early making plans and ask for your child’s input. You may be surprised to find that they have some great ideas for decorations, games, and food.

Let your child help make decorations for the party. Table toppers with a red, white, and blue glittered chenille stems, foil streamers, and balloons will be festive. Paint a small coffee can and fill it with sand to help the decorations stand. You may even want to place some sparklers in the can for later in the evening.

Plan a parade around your neighborhood or wherever you’re hosting your party. Let the children bring their bikes, wagons, tricycles, or scooters and decorate them with patriotic themes. Not only will the children have fun showing off their rides, they’ll also be showing off their artistic ability. Consider having a prize for each age group.

Don’t forget the food! Barbecue is the normal fare for the Fourth of July. Hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and homemade ice cream are always a hit. Have a watermelon, pie, or hot dog eating contest that everyone can join in.

What activities can children enjoy that only require adult supervision? Perhaps you can allow the children to make decorated t-shirts with fabric paint. See who can blow the biggest bubbles, have a water balloon war, and play patriotic music.

If the children in your life are water babies, consider having a pool party. Be sure to have a small wading pool so even the youngest children can have fun in the water. To keep children safe while in the pools, assign or hire someone to watch the children. Use sunscreen to keep them from becoming sunburned.

Finish off your party by allowing the children to stay up late so they can enjoy the fireworks show. Pack a light jacket just in case the night is cool, and arrive early to find the best seats. Don’t forget to bring your own chairs, a blanket to sit on, and maybe even a snack. Be prepared, however, for the children to nod off very quickly after the show is over.

Fourth of July party ideas for children don’t really need to be elaborate for them to be fun. Decorations, party games, and food are always a safe bet to get children into the party mood. Top the evening off with a night of fireworks, and the children will say your party was the best ever.

As springtime slips into summer, people begin to look forward to the Fourth of July. They remember the fireworks and good food, Fourth of July’s winning combination that so many enjoy. They can’t wait for the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer that only come around this Day of Independence.

Early in the day you’re likely to find, instead of the smoke from fireworks, the telltale signs of barbecues in home after home around town. The smell of charcoal lighter fluid and barbecue sauce are common on this day. But what are some of the normal foods you’ll find on the Fourth of July?

Barbecues will be lit, making the way for summer’s bounty. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, bratwurst, and steaks are all common food enjoyed on this day. Don’t just rely on the old standbys, though – try grilling some fish, fruits, or vegetables. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy a change of pace for the entrée.

Corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, and deviled eggs compliment almost any meat dish. You may also want to serve dishes that may not be your typical Fourth of July, such as ethnic foods. To top off the meal, why not make homemade ice cream, a cake decorated with fresh strawberries or blueberries, fresh baked apple pie, or ice cold watermelon.

Be sure to keep perishable foods cold until its time to eat to make sure food doesn’t begin to spoil. Serve foods as soon as possible after they come off the grill for the same reason. If the weather’s hot outside, foods can begin to develop harmful bacteria in as little as thirty minutes.

As the evening draws to a close and darkness descends, it’s time for the big show to begin. Most larger cities around the country have fireworks so that their citizens can be safe. While fireworks are not legal within most city limits, this doesn’t stop some people from buying and firing them.

Children and teens may purchase fireworks with the intent to use them on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, children and teens aren’t always careful with fireworks and injuries happen. If they are legal in your area, make sure there is a responsible adult to light the fireworks.

Children of all ages love fireworks and good food. Fourth of July’s winning combination is something to look forward to even while it’s still springtime. Why not begin making plans now for your family’s celebration. You’ll need to plan early if you’d like to rent an area in a local park. It’s never too early to plan; the Fourth of July will be here before you know it.