Our Best Family-Friendly Fourth of July Activities

For many Americans, there are a few activities that are synonymous with the Fourth of July—sitting on a field and looking up at a sky full of fireworks, digging into a plate of barbecue by the grill, and enjoying a bit of music and sunshine in your own backyard. Whatever your favorite Independence Day tradition is, there's usually one thing that's a given: The holiday is best spent with the family and friends you love most.

Whether you're spending it on a beach or in the heart of the city, there are plenty of fun activities you can prepare for any 4th of July celebration that the whole family will enjoy. Some are designed for larger crowds found at neighborhood block parties, while others are better suited for smaller groups in backyards. All are accessible and easy to organize, with a few projects requiring everyday items that you probably have laying around right now. If you're looking for games to burn off extra energy in between lunch and dinner, our sponge balls are great eco-friendly (and cost-effective!) alternatives to water balloon fights. Do you have some leftover balloons from a birthday party or family gathering? You can also fill them up with glitter and enjoy hours of fun as the little ones play with a fun alternative to a backyard piñata (although those are perfectly acceptable, too!).

From treats that you can make with the whole family (no cook and no-bake snacks you'll love!) to games and toys you can put together with very little effort, we're walking you through some of the best ways you can spend your July 4th holiday with your family. Make memories even brighter with the following projects, recipes, and how-tos.

Kitchen sponges star in summer's answer to the snowball fight—like water balloons with many lives to live. These DIY toys can last way longer than water balloons, and they're much softer than regular sports balls you'd find elsewhere—you can even make them the day of the event by cutting new sponges directly out of the box.

A stint of aquatic frolicking will keep all guests—both kids and adults—cool throughout the long day outside. Set up a few sprinklers and invite your family and friends to get in on the fun.

Wire wands in patriotic shapes bring a festive edge to bubble-blowing, which you can get going with homemade bubbles. With a few twists of wire, you can make fantastic bubble wands and spend long, lazy days practicing your technique. Mix corn syrup and dish detergent for bubbles so gigantic, you won't believe they're real.