4th of July Party Ideas for Any Budget

The Fourth is almost here. How are you going to celebrate?
By Jack Meyer , |

You don't have to be rich to celebrate America's birthday. Here are some ideas for hosting an entertaining Fourth of July party, whether you're pinching pennies or going all-out.

Low-Budget Fourth of July Party Ideas

Go to the Beach 

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to celebrate the Fourth is one millions of Americans do each year. Find a beach or lake near you to relax on this country's holiday. Chances are, it'll come with a good view of fireworks if there's a show going on near where you live.

Throw a Bonfire

Here's a cheaper, safer alternative to fireworks. Throwing a bonfire can be a fun way to turn the evening into a special occasion. All you need is some wood and a good pit with some bricks or stone to get this fire started. Consider bringing some s'mores with you to top the night off.

Water Balloons

Some regular balloons, some water, and you've got a great way to give kids of all ages a way to remember your Fourth of July party. You can use these for all sorts of games from tosses, to scavenger hunts, to an old-fashioned water balloon fight. Just be prepared to get wet.

Mason Jars, Paper Chains, and Bandanna Napkins

Looking to create a festive atmosphere but not looking to spend money? No worries, a lot of what you already have can make great decorations. Using bandannas as napkins can create a festive atmosphere, mason jars have certainly become a hip fixture that people enjoy for beverages or decorations, and if you've got some red, white, and blue paper on hand, you can fold these into your own chains and hang them up for the festivities.

Beer Pong

A fun, and more important, easily set-up drinking game for the adults, a round or two of beer pong is a simple way to keep people in a patriotic spirit for Independence Day.

Mid-Range Budget Fourth of July Party Ideas

Cocktails

Any good celebration can always use a drink or two to grease its wheels. While ice-cold beers are a classic solution, consider making your party stand out a little more with some creative cocktails in theme with the holiday. If you need ideas, here are a few.

Host a Potluck

It's easy to sum up Fourth of July food with burgers, hot dogs, and maybe a watermelon or two. But if you want to expand your food options without expanding your budget, potlucks are a pretty reliable option. Just ask your guests to bring some food and, ideally, keep tabs of what that is so you can keep repeats to a minimum. Everyone loves a good dessert, but not when there are 10 cherry pies and not a protein in sight.

Bring a Trampoline

Not too much to say here. Just a classic way to stay entertained on the Fourth of July. Though make sure you've got the space for it.

Sparklers

Another safer and affordable alternative to fireworks, sparklers are legal in most parts of the country and let the people in your party get just a taste of playing with fire.

Cornhole

The standard for outdoor BBQ games, setting up cornhole means you'll have to buy a set of bags and two raised platforms. This usually costs you between $100-$200, but it'll leave you with an easy source of entertainment for the Fourth and any other outdoor party in your future.

Big-Budget Fourth of July Party Ideas

Rent a Bouncy Castle

Kids (and some adults) will love you for this one. They can sometimes be a magnet for unexpected injuries, but really, bouncy castles have held a place in all of our hearts at some point or other. If you're throwing your party by a lake, you could also buy a floating bouncer to bring action to the water.

Create a Food Platter

If you really want to step up your food game, you'll want to put a platter together. This can be toasted chickpeas, artisanal cheeses, and spreads made out of berries you didn't know existed. For a few ideas, you can look here.

Hire a Private Bartender

Good food should come with good drinks. To make sure this happens you can hire a personal bartender for your party. A range of places offers this service, many of which come with their own default portable bar included in the fee. While the nature of the service may vary, the gratitude of your guests for getting a professionally made Old Fashioned won't.

Store-Bought Fireworks

What Fourth of July celebration would be complete without your own fireworks? To be honest, quite a few. Fireworks are expensive and not available or legal in many places. But if it's in your budgetary and legal range, getting a good set of fireworks to light up for the Fourth is a great way to add some excitement and classic American tradition to your party, just remember to stay safe while you're having fun.

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