July 4th Traditions

June 29, 2020

Summers at my house tend to be so hectic, so I enjoy having the 4th of July as a time to get the whole family together to celebrate! Here are some traditions that my family has used to celebrate Independence Day over the years.

Parades

Fourth of July Parades are a must, especially in our Neighborhood! Bonus points if your kids get to march in the parade, but it’s also just a great way to get out and support your local community. We really missed this tradition last year, the kids especially missed getting the candy that they throw off the floats!

Picnics + BBQs

Summer nights are just perfect for outdoor eating. My family is big on picnics, we love to find a good vantage point to set up and enjoy dinner before a firework display! For more tips on what to bring to your picnics, check out my guide here for tools and tips or here for recipes.

Pie Eating Contests

Who says pies are only for Thanksgiving?! We are definitely a pie-loving family, so one of our most popular traditions is attending or participating in a pie eating contest! Whether it’s all about getting messy with the whip cream, or showing off your best All-American Apple Pie, this is the perfect family-friendly party activity. Check out these 4 classic Summer Pies.

Beach Day

Spending the day on the beach has become my family’s Independence Day Tradition of choice. Both when my family lived in the PNW and now in Southern California, we pack up a picnic lunch and head out for a day of sand and swimming all together. It’s extra special if you can squeeze in some firepit time for s’mores before fireworks!

Time Together

More than anything else, I love any holiday that gives my family time to be together! Whether that’s time in the kitchen cooking something special, or time at the beach swimming and watching fireworks, it does my heart good to just be with my family. What traditions does your family enjoy for the Fourth?

Our favorite vanilla cake made Red White + Blue!

Looking for more simple weeknight recipes? Check out Recipe Club.

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